Barry Service Corps

The Barry Service Corps (BSC) fosters civic leadership and commitment to service by providing meaningful opportunities for students to support local agencies and institutions working to address social concerns. Through long-term placements, BSC members become acquainted with issues affecting neighboring communities and gain experience with the approaches used by partnering organizations to address those issues. BSC members gain valuable professional and community experience while local organizations benefit from student contributions to program planning and implementation.

Promoting the Inclusion and Dignity of Aged and Differently Abled Populations

The BSC Caring Friends squad provides social interaction to older and differently abled persons who are often excluded from normal aspects of day-to-day living. By enhancing recreational activities in nursing homes, coaching special athletes, and providing administrative support to staff, the Caring Friends help to include people who are often marginalized in activities that enhance quality of life.

Supporting the Infrastructure of Community Organizations

Working directly with community partners, BSC Community Capacity Builders serve a diverse group of community agencies, including organizations that address health, homelessness, discrimination, history preservation, and health and wellness. Squad members gain experience in professional settings while providing direct and indirect service, helping community partners expand and improve programs.

Fostering Science Literacy to Address Community Challenges

Members of the BSC Community Science Academy facilitate science activities for elementary and middle-school students at St. Mary’s Cathedral School. The Academy supports a broader initiative based in the Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods that applies scientific knowledge and principles to address community issues.

Developing Civic Leadership

The BSC Fellows squad provides students who are passionate about social change with a vehicle for reaching their potential as community leaders. Fellows work within teams to collaborate with community organizations, support community engagement programs, and develop civic leadership skills. Fellows practice advocacy, activism, community organizing, and other pathways to social change while addressing such issues as globalization, educational equity, civic health, and food security.

Supporting Permaculture and Food Access

The primary responsibility of the BSC Urban Gardeners is to maintain the Barry Urban Garden (BUG) and related BUG initiatives. An on-campus community agriculture initiative, the BUG provides organic produce to low-income residents in nearby neighborhoods categorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as urban food deserts.

Tutoring and Mentoring for Educational Success

Supporting the academic learning and social/emotional development of K-12 children and young people, BSC Youth Development Coaches work in schools and at youth-serving organizations in order to improve educational outcomes.