USD Magazine Spring 2006

[ A ] I S F O R A F T E R S C H O O L

The after-school program at KIPP

Adelante Preparatory Academy

isn’t your everyday homework

help program — that’s where

USD students step things up a

notch, focusing on having fun

while teaching kids about the

real world. They prompt discus-

sions about everything from

what it’s like to go to college to

[ B ]

I S F O R B AY S I D E

[ C ] I S F O R C O M P A S S I O N

the importance of healthy eating.

At the Bayside Community Center, USD volun-

On the latter topic, Brandye

teers play a major role in improving the lives of

Combs, one of last fall’s coordi-

Associate nursing Professor Anita

Linda Vista residents. The BCC is where immigrants, refugees and other

nators, set it up like this: If you

Hunter is involved in projects in

residents receive help with emergency food rations, health screenings

have a friend who eats pizza

Mexico that provide compassion-

and other services. Volunteers are involved with everything from help-

every day, how would you

ate service to vulnerable popula-

ing children with math problems to working in the lunch delivery pro-

encourage her to make better

tions. A few times a year, she and

gram for older residents. USD students become role models who can

choices? “They’re not afraid to

other faculty and students help at

help kids see themselves someday going to college, and they talk about

discuss those real-world situa-

a clinic outside Tijuana. She also

trips they’ve taken so children can learn about the world. “They’re like

tions,” says Combs.

takes nursing students to Cuerna-

big brothers and sisters to all the kids here,” says Opaul Vorachak ‘96,

vaca for immersion Spanish courses

director of children’s programs for the center. Many USD students have

while living at an orphanage and

formed bonds with the children that remain tight well after graduation,

providing health assessments. “I’ve

thanks to e-mail. “I don’t know how our program would survive without

found international medical mis-

students from USD,”Vorachak says. “That’s how incredibly important

sions to be life-changing

their involvement is.”

experiences,”Hunter says.

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USD MAGAZINE