Earlham College | News from Public Affairs

Katie Strohm, a Spanish and Hispanic Studies major and Bonner Scholar, is one of several Earlham students who serve as volunteers with the Amigos program at Richmond's Townsend Center.

RICHMOND, Ind. — For some in Wayne County's Latino community, communicating in an English-speaking environment on a daily basis can be a frustrating challenge. Many Earlham College students appreciate this problem and offer their time to the Latino community through the Amigos program.

This valuable program offers Latino families free social and cultural resources they need to succeed in Wayne County, including English classes, parenting forums and basic health care information. The English classes are coordinated and led by Earlham faculty and student volunteers.

Every Monday and Wednesday evening at Richmond's Townsend Center, murmurs of Spanish and English fill the air as Earlham students volunteer their time at Amigos. One of these students, senior Katie Strohm, said she has found her life's calling through these Amigos meetings and her other volunteer experiences.

"This summer, I worked with migrant farm workers in El Paso, Texas, and lived in Mexico," she said. "This is my third year volunteering at Amigos. This year I'm a co-convener. Normally, I'd be a tutor, but this year I'm working on getting volunteers, transportation for tutors, listening to concerns."

Strohm, a Spanish and Hispanic Studies major, said that she fell in love with the Spanish language while at Daleville High, near Muncie, Ind., and she knew that she wanted to get involved with the Latino community in Richmond when she came to Earlham.

"I knew Earlham was the right place," Strohm said. "It's all about social justice and changing the world, so the opportunity was there. I'm so excited to be with people who are so intentional about service.

"As an example, Amigos is a great resource for the Latino population — it's a 'help center.' We provide materials and tutoring and childcare is available during the tutoring sessions. Plus, Richmond students come to improve their Spanish language skills and to get help with their Spanish homework."

Earlham's deep and ongoing commitment to community service helped Katie and her family afford her Earlham experience. The College is one of only 27 schools nationwide chosen to partner with the Princeton, N.J.-based Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation in its Bonner Scholars Program. Strohm is one of Earlham's Bonner Scholars.

"My Bonner scholarship has helped take care of my room and board, and I know for a fact that without Bonner, many Earlham students wouldn't be able to come here," Strohm said. "That scholarship money helps to bridge the gap."

Earlham's practice of volunteerism makes it an appropriate partner for the foundation, which bases its Bonner Scholars Program on the belief that "colleges and universities can and must be a 'telling presence' in their local communities."

These scholarships give 60 of Earlham's most energetic and creative students, who have a profound passion for serving their communities, the opportunities to explore that passion, while also promoting the partnership between campus and the Richmond community.

"It's not just service — it's a dedication to service," explained Jana Schroeder, coordinator of Earlham's Bonner Scholars Program. "We have an expectation that the Bonner students will do more than just sweep floors or file papers. It's a developmental program and we want those students to learn and grow."

Strohm agrees. "Through their service, many students at Earlham realize what they want to do with the rest of their lives. It can guide you in the right direction."

Strohm has taken full advantage of the service opportunities Earlham and the Bonner Scholars Program have offered, allowing them to shape her experience and ambitions.

"Everything is coming together for me, with my academics, my service and my passion," Strohm explained.

"Being a Bonner Scholar and an Earlham student has broadened my horizons. I'm itching to go out there and do something [after graduation] to continue to help the Latino population with the language gap. It's a perfect fit for me."

Contact:
Ellen Blevens, development communications coordinator
765/983-1323 — E-Mail Ellen