LEWISTOWN - Justina Fisher is inviting all adult learners at the Penn State Learning Center in Lewistown to "be a part of something big."
With the goal to both help others and enhance the lives of students at the center, Fisher, an adult student there, has activated a committee of students to do volunteer service in the community.
Fisher, of Lewistown, has been studying at the Penn State Learning Center for four years. Currently, she is enrolled in the Arts, Letters and Sciences major. Next year, after graduation, she will change her major to rehabilitation health services, she said.
The committee - for now called the Community Leadership Committee - will come up with a project each semester, and plan for distribution or services needed for that project, Fisher said.
"The committee meets once every semester for now, but in the future, I hope to expand," she said.
Fisher said the purpose of the committee is to "enrich the lives of students by helping others."
"I want them to know the feeling of watching others grow and know they can make a difference one day at a time," she said. "It may seem like a little thing, but looking at someone who smiles and knowing you are the reason for the smile is a wonderful feeling."
Fisher said she originally got the idea for the committee because she wanted to get more involved with community services.
"I did some research in the area and found a great need for volunteers in various areas in the community, such as the LUMINA Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and a new program at the Mifflin County Probation office for mentoring children," Fisher said.
"It may sound cliche, but the children are our future," she continued. "I hear so many people say the kids are bad or ungrateful, well, give them a role model and set an example. As children, we learn by example."
So far the committee, which still is being developed, has about three members, and a few volunteers, Fisher said, but more are needed.
Some examples of projects the committee plans to head are coat and food drives, Fisher said.
"We did a blood drive on (Sept. 14), at the (Lewistown) hospital," she said. "We did have help from a veteran volunteer ... who told me she has been doing volunteer services a long time."
Fisher's vision, with the committee, is to bring hope to those who may not have it right now, she said.
"I want to help others and let them know someone cares," she said. "In today's world, we do not stop long enough to know what is going on. We are too involved in our own world and I understand that. The world moves at a fast pace but I want to make the time for my fellow human beings."
Fisher said if people focused on community service more often, it's possible homelessness and hunger would be a thing of the past.
"Some think I am being idealistic, but I prefer being labeled realistic because I think it can be done if we all do our part," she said. "I feel the interaction of our students and the community would benefit everyone in the community. We will become connected and care what happens to each other."
Fisher said that there are many negative aspects attributed to the Lewistown area, and she wants to help change that.
"There are many caring people in the community already, but they could use our help," she said. "I would like to show the positive of Lewistown and surrounding areas."
Fisher encourages all adult learners at the Penn State Learning Center to join the committee and "learn what life is all about."
"It is about living life to the fullest for us all, not just a few," she said. "Come be a part of something big."
For more information about the Penn State Learning Center in Lewistown visit ceup.psu.edu/lewistown.
