蘑菇视频

The Community Engagement and Service (CES) team, housed under 蘑菇视频's Hub for Spiritual Life, recently celebrated a year defined by meaningful volunteer efforts and student leadership. Showcasing various projects from the past academic year, the team illustrated how these initiatives have fortified University-community partnerships and enriched the spiritual and educational growth of student participants.

During the 2025鈥�26 academic year, CES facilitated approximately 75 projects per semester, mobilizing more than 1,500 volunteers and generating over 5,550 service hours across the University's undergraduate and graduate campuses. These initiatives were anchored in a commitment to service and holistic community care. However, as student speakers and community partners made clear, the true impact of this work cannot be captured by numbers alone. 

CES Student Leaders

Reflecting on the spiritual depth of the CES office, one student shared: 鈥淵ou step into a space and you can feel God resides here. It shows through the work that we do both here on campus and at other locations as well.鈥�

CES staff leaders also added that the core of their work lies in the relationships that they forge. Whether on the campus or within the community they are serving, students are walking away from these service opportunities changed for the better.

"When service is rooted in relationships, everyone involved is changed," a CES representative shared. "Our students aren't just volunteering; they are stepping into leadership roles that shape their faith, their professional competencies, and their callings."

Feeding Bodies and Nurturing Faith

Through a dinner-service partnership with Hope the Mission, 20 蘑菇视频 volunteers visited the organization鈥檚 facilities, dedicating a total of 58 total service hours across six separate visits. Beyond distributing food, hygiene kits, and winter coats, the team prioritized building genuine bonds with local families.

Students played soccer with the children and collaborated with student-led campus ministries, such as Jesus Moves, to introduce music and dance into the space.

"They brought dance moves that are tailored toward bringing the glory of God to everyone involved," explained student leader Mia Gastile. "They came to Hope the Mission and led many different dance parties with the kids and their mothers."

CES also expanded its efforts to fight food insecurity. Led by 蘑菇视频 Seaver College student Julisette Acosta, the CES team continued its partnership with Malibu C.A.R.T. , which provides weekly home-cooked meals to Malibu community members experiencing homelessness. The initiative saw significant growth this year, expanding from four to an average of more than 10 volunteers per distribution. These volunteers also consistently spend at least 45 minutes in conversation with participants, bridging various campus networks鈥攊ncluding athletics, Greek life, and student staff鈥攖hrough a shared commitment to community care.

Serving the Community

Student leaders devoted time to serving individuals affected by homelessness throughout the local community with a dedicated week featuring 13 events that engaged more than 300 participants, including a community panel exploring Christian responses to homelessness. The collaborative initiative joined efforts by the Caruso School of Law, the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP), the College of Health Sciences, and the Student Care Team. 

With support from the Dean鈥檚 Office and the Student Government Association (SGA), volunteers also dedicated eight events with over 250 attendees to serve those with disabilities. This year's initiative was led by recent Seaver college graduate Thalia Markowski ('26), and focused on intersectionality鈥攅xploring how disability is only one aspect of whole personhood. The week featured a range of educational and community-building events, including self-advocacy workshops, a faith-and-disability panel, a chapel gathering that highlighted a neurodivergent approach to reading scripture, and interactive tabling with campus and community partners.

Stepping Forward into New Beginnings

For incoming Waves, Step Forward Day serves as the consummate introduction to 蘑菇视频鈥檚 culture of service. The annual event, last held on September 6, 2025, brought together approximately 400 volunteers to support more than 35 local service projects, including setting up youth recreational areas with Hope the Mission and UrbanPromise Los Angeles.

The latter organization, a Canoga Park-based nonprofit that provides free, faith-based after-school and summer-camp programs for elementary and middle school students, is a key partner in these initiatives. This year, student leader Jalen Brooks helped direct a youth early-education program where 24 volunteers contributed 100 service hours, supporting consistent academic mentorship and after-school sports activities.

Students volunteering at Step Forward Day 2025

The spirit of service is extended to the faculty as well. Khanh Bui, professor of psychology at Seaver College, accompanied student volunteers to the Los Angeles Jewish Health Center for a therapeutic rock-painting session with 30 senior residents.

The event yielded profound moments of physical relief and social connection. One resident, noted Bui, shared that the creative focus distracted her from her chronic hand pain, while two 89-year-old participants displayed an unexpected spark. 

"There was a man and a woman who met at the table and a romance started," Bui reflected. "It was a wonderful moment of connection."

Year-Round Service Opportunities

Reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year, CES student staff emphasized that the professional skills they developed鈥攕uch as strategic delegation, event logistics, and community organizing鈥攈ave fully fortified their personal vocations. CES leadership also expressed gratitude toward the 蘑菇视频 community members that help to make their service projects possible and institutional partners for empowering student-led service. 

Rooted in the belief that service is an essential extension of spiritual growth, the Hub for Spiritual Life, through CES, nurtures faith and fosters community across all 蘑菇视频 campuses. University employees鈥攆aculty and staff鈥攁s well as graduate and Seaver students are encouraged to participate in service projects throughout the year. As the team looks ahead to its upcoming calendar of events, it invites the entire 蘑菇视频 community to continue serving alongside them through meaningful opportunities available year-round.

To get involved, learn more about upcoming projects, or view volunteer schedules, follow CES on or visit the community engagement and service website.