Diversity Edge Opportunities - Center for Student Enrichment

Interested in volunteering abroad?

Check back for more info.

This list is by no means comprehensive but will give you something to work off of during the COVID-19 Pandemic:

Disney+:

• Lost Cities with Albert Lin - a Nat Geo series about ancient cities around the globe
• Jane - a Nat Geo film about Jane Goodall and her chimpanzee research
• Viking Warrior Women - a Nat Geo film about research into Viking warriors and culture
• The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great - a Nat Geo film documenting the search for Alexander's tomb in the city of Alexandria
• Drain the Great Lakes - a Nat Geo film about the history of the Great Lakes

Amazon Prime:

• America: The Story of US - a limited series about American history
• Mankind: The Story of All of US - a limited series about the history of humanity
• Free Meek - a limited series about rapper Meek Mill's arrest and the national conversation it sparked
• The New Yorker Presents - a series that blends artistic and documentary film techniques to shed light on various topics
• Africa's Great Civilizations - a limited series examining the rich history of African kingdoms and nations throughout history

Netflix:

• Ladies First - a film discussing the challenges faced by Deepika Kumari on her journey to becoming a world-class archer
• Miss Representation - a film that discusses the portrayal of women in media and leadership
• Minimalism - a film about minimalism and materialism in America
• First Face of America - a PBS film about the first humans in America
• 13th - a film directed by Ava Duvernay that analyzes the impact of the US constitution's 13th amendment

Hulu:

• Standing in the Shadows of Motown - a film about Detroit's jazz scene and the Funk Brothers
• Back in Time - a film that examines the impact of the Back to the Future series on American culture
• Apollo 11 - a film that explores America's journey to space
• Food, Inc. - a film that discusses food production and consumption in America
• Ramen Heads - a documentary about Japanese ramen restaurants

The Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center is looking for volunteers, interns, and tutors for our After-School Program running 3-6 p.m. on the weekdays. The age group is 5-15 years ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. We are looking for passionate volunteers to contribute their time and talents to creating lasting and meaningful moments of guidance and mentoring with the youth at our center. Volunteers are the heart, soul and backbone of a strong community.

If you are willing to inspire and share your skills with our youth, please contact Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center, 1901 Longyear Ave., Marquette, at 906-225-1900 ext. 112 or 906-458-7550 (cell).

The After-School Program is from 4-6 p.m. and Tutoring is from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is a non-profit organization in Marquette whose mission is to help alleviate loneliness and isolation in the elderly. We do this through two programs. The first being our Friendly Visiting program, where we pair a volunteer and an elder up to help them build a friendship. If you are interested, please e-mail Leslie at leslie.bek@littlebrothers.org.  

The second is through our Holiday Dinners. At our Holiday meals, we serve over 100 in our community. Some of them attend and some of them have their meals delivered to them. The importance of these meals is to not only provide them with food but with fellowship on a holiday. To carry out these meals we rely on volunteers. Last year we were lucky enough to have a hall volunteer and couple of other Northern students for our Easter meal. Our guests absolutely loved having them there. The connection with the youth of our community is so vital to them. Many of them attended Northern or had children or family that attended or worked at Northern. They love to see NMU students, because you are just starting to live your dreams, that alone is such an exciting memory and thought to them.  

To be able to serve this meal to our community it requires that we have the service of 72 volunteers. I would love for half of those volunteers to come from Northern. It would make for a great story along with help promote and recognize Northern students and everything you give to our community. I will also have letters of service which I will be more than happy to sign for all volunteers to help them towards earning scholarships, recognition, or help along the job hunt. I will also be more than happy to write a personal letter of service/reference to any volunteers who help serve.  

If you would like to volunteer, contact Leslie at leslie.bek@littlebrothers.org. 

Room at the Inn is a certified 501 C (3) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission has been to provide short-term shelter and services (i.e., food, career development assistance, and accessibility to resources) for any individuals unhoused. It is because of the help of community volunteers and support that we've been able to sustain services for more than 14 years. During our time, we have served 1,200+ unique individuals, served 350,000+ meals, and utilized 230,000+ volunteer hours. Volunteers and donors, such as yourself, contribute to the sustainability of our operations by serving meals for our guests, engaging in conversation, and ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness don't have to experience it alone.

How to sign up: Room at the Inn coordinates volunteers through United Way's "Yoopers United" online portal https://uwmqt.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=11525.

• If it is your first time using Yoopers United, you will need to create a sign in, which only takes just a minute.
• Under the date that you would like to volunteer, you can choose to either “Respond Individually” if you are looking to assist as an individual, or “Respond as Team” if you and 1+ other person(s) are looking to help

Your time, compassion, and service provided is what helps to Room at the Inn open to serve any unhoused person(s) in Marquette. Thank you so much for your contributions!

Are you looking for a chance to experience the other side of health care? If so, please contact Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice, to learn about a variety of opportunities available. You can contact our volunteer coordinator today at 906-225-4545, e-mail us for more information at kellyjw@uphomehealth.org, or follow our efforts at www.facebook.com/uphomehealth.

Our Program:

Our hospice volunteers program offers several different types of opportunities ranging from direct companion/family support volunteers, special service volunteers, special project volunteers and even group opportunities. Those who choose to work with our hospice patients directly will work in a variety of different settings that may include the patient’s personal homes, local hospitals, nursing homes, assisted livings, and memory care facilities.

As a volunteer with our hospice program, you will discover flexibility, specialized training and opportunities for personal growth. Our team approach supports your role in making a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. You will also find the support of our Hospice Foundation which provides resources for volunteer projects and our Make-a-Memory Program.

Current Opportunities:

Companion/family support volunteers work to provide support directly to patients and families. To ensure that all volunteers are equipped for the challenge of working with those dealing with a life limiting illness, we require that volunteers complete an online training program that can be completed at your own pace. It’s important that volunteers understand the philosophy of hospice and are aware of the specific ways we work to serve the community. Volunteers spend their visits being present, listening, helping with errands or light household tasks or providing short respite opportunities for caregivers.

Special service volunteers are able to share their special skills of music or art therapy, massage therapy, and reminisce therapy. If you have any talents you would like to share, contact us today.

Special project volunteers groups help with special projects that are vital in providing indirect support to our patients and their caregivers. Many of these groups consist of resident volunteers from the local assisted living and nursing facilities. Projects include but are not limited to:  heated comfort bags, fleece tie blankets, recipes-in-a-jar/horticulture therapy kits, and cards, letters and flowers.

Group volunteer opportunities exist for your group, club, or organization to become involved with hospice. Upper Peninsula Hospice will provide an informative presentation or on-site training for any interested group.

To inquire about volunteer opportunities, call our volunteer coordinator at 906-225-4545 or check us out at www.facebook.com/uphomehealth.

Camp Quality is a summer camp for children with pediatric cancer (ages 5-17) as well as their siblings. This year we have the opportunity to start a camp at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay.  It is very exciting to have this opportunity for pediatric cancer patient’s and their families.  To be able to put this on though, we need many volunteers.  I would love for you to pass the information on to any students, friends or community members who may be interested. Please contact Meghan Walls, MSN, FNP-BC, UP Camp Director, at meghan.walls@campqualityusa.org or C: 231-944-8753; H: 715-870-2404; or O: 715-847-2611 x50198.

Special Olympics is in need of volunteers and coaches. The first step would be to register at https://sosaas.azurewebsites.net/MI/application.

They are also in need of building a management team for their athletes. If you are interested in being an active member, please contact Pam Bahrman at area36@somi.org or 906-869-2403.

If you are using a class to complete the domestic portion of this edge, you can only count your second world cultures class:

• HS 233 - Native American History: Study from origins to the present. Central theme is the persistence of Native American ethnic identity in the face of white conquest and efforts at elimination or assimilation.
• HS 273 - LGBT History: An introduction to the historical development of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) social, cultural and political identities and movements.  Investigation of the development of discussions and discourses relevant to homosexuality as well as transgender issues, primarily in 19th- and 20th-century North America.
• HS 283 - American Women's History: The story of American women. Emphasis on the accomplishments and contributions of women in history, on understanding the historical relationship between women and men and on the individual perception associated with these relationships.
• HS 292 - African American History [PERS]
• HS 339 - United States Immigration History
• PS 319 - Women and US Politics
• NAS 101 - Anishinaabe Language, Culture & Community I: An introduction to Anishinaabemowin language including grammar, vocabulary, idioms and syllabics.  Students will learn to read, write and speak basic Anishinaabemowin.  This course also promotes the preservation of Anishinaabe culture by examining various facets of Anishinaabe everyday life and contemporary issues.
• NAS 102 - Anishinaabe Language, Culture & Community II: An in-depth study of Anishinaabemowin language.  This course is a continuation of materials introduced in NAS 101.  Students will focus on higher-level use of the language and will apply it in situations related to contemporary Anishinaabe cultural issues and community structures.
• NAS 204-06 Native American Experience: A study of the development of Native American history, culture, attitudes, and issues from the prehistoric era to the contemporary scene, focusing on native culture in the Great Lakes region.  Shared native world view, contact experience and native peoples' contributions to world culture are an important part of the course.
• NAS 212 - Michigan and Wisconsin Tribes, Treaties and Current Issues (Education and Political Science): Examine the 23 federally recognized tribes of Michigan and Wisconsin.  Questions to be explore - how have treaties between tribal nations and federal government shaped history in this region?  What is sovereignty?  What are treaties and what treaties impact this region?  Discussions may also include tribal enterprises, urban Indian communities, and timely issues that arise in the news.
• NAS 280 - Storytelling by Native American Women: This course examines a myriad of historic and contemporary aspects of native life through the eyes and stories of Native American women.  Subjects include customs, culture, family, generations, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, art, education, fiction, poetry, political activism, and spirituality.
• NAS 315 - History of Indian Boarding School Education (Anthro, History, Sociology): The history of the initiation, development, alteration, and demise of the federally mandated Indian boarding school education experience in the U.S. and Canada. Intergenerational and contemporary repercussions, both positive and negative, within indigenous societies are considered.
• NAS 320 - American Indians:  Identity and Media Images (English and Oral Traditions): An analysis of the identity and images of American Indians portrayed within the historic and contemporary media.  Perpetuation of stereotypes and appropriates or distorts cultural images, symbols, beliefs, stories and contributions by native people to the media will be explored.
• NAS 330 - Native Cultures and the Dynamics of Religious Experience: An examination of the traditional philosophies of the native peoples in the Great Lakes region as well as an exploration of how Christianity has influenced native peoples and communities.  Students will learn about the historical impacts, positive and negative, that organized religion has had on Indian country.
• NAS 340 - Kinomaage - The Earth Shows Us the Way: Kinomaage, when translated, is "Earth shows us the way."  Students will examine various plants of the Northwoods that have been traditionally used by the Anishinaabeg.  Students will also examine the close relationship between Anishinaabeg peoples, culture, and the Earth while comparing that relationship to modern day society's view of the environment.
• NAS 342 - Indigenous Environmental Movements: An exploration of the historical and cultural foundations of the paradigms that led to the ecological exploitation of Indigenous lands.  Students will examine how Indigenous cultures today are resisting domination and working to regain, protect and nurture their lands, the planet, and their ways of life.
• NAS 414 - First Nations Women: How are First Nations women's ways of knowing distinctive from those of other cultures?  Explore the lives of American Indian women of the US and First Nations women of Canada.  Topics include activism, health, and ideology.
• NAS 420 - Issues within the Representation of American Indians (Anthro, History, Sociology): The histories, legacies and continuing debates regarding the display of Native Americans and especially how representations of Indians may reflect colonialist attempts of appropriation, marginalization, and erasure of indigenous cultures as well as Native American resistance, accommodation, and celebration.
• NAS 485 - American Indian Education: Students will explore significant American Indian education policy from pre-colonial times to the present day.  Students will investigate treaties with educational provisions, current U.S. federal Indian education law; standards-based reform and Native American inclusion.  Through online chat rooms, students will discuss these issues with individuals from different parts of the world.  Meets P.A.31 requirement for Wisconsin teachers in the K-12 schools.
• NAS 488 - Native American Service Learning Project: This is a capstone course for the Native American Studies minor. Students will complete an approved service learning project in Native American Studies under the guidance of the Director of the Center for Native American Studies upon completion of all other requirements for the minor.

HL/NU 386 Interdisciplinary Study in Global Health Care-Latin America: This course will provide students with an interdisciplinary cultural immersion experience in a service-learning setting. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the culture of a selected Latin American country with a particular focus on the health and health care of the country's residents. The course is currently being offered in Belize.