The 2012 Into the Streets Autumn Term program created and lead by the Office of Service Learning took place on Friday, August 24th. Into the Streets is the first major service initiative of the academic year and for many students is a rite of passage. The new students discover they are not only members of the Eckerd community, but participants in the St. Petersburg community and to a greater extent, members of the larger global community that benefits from the time and energy of dedicated civic minded individuals. Many upperclass students recall their Autumn Term Into the Streets experience with great joy and continue to help at their service site throughout their college experience.

This year's group of 345 students, staff and faculty ventured Into the Streets to work at 31 various community service agencies in the Tampa Bay area. Students mucked horse stalls at the Sarasota-Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, sorted cans for the hungry at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, planted organic veggies at the Bartlett Park Community Garden, interacted with residents at Westminster Shores Nursing Home and did many other projects. Following their service, students engaged in a discussion about their work and then re-assembled on campus for dinner and to learn about the work of the other projects.

If you are interested in finding out more about the organizations that participated in Into the Streets, want to get involved in service, have questions about volunteering or just want to meet some interesting people and make new friends, please contact the Office of Service Learning.

Check out photos from the 2012 Into the Streets.