Thirty will earn one or two hours credit for their volunteer experience. All volunteers research the economy, demographics, and political and social issues of the sites where they will work, White said. They are informed and prepared when they arrive at these sites. Hess and LaCroix developed the course syllabus. They emphasize group dynamics and ways to resolve conflicts that inevitably arise in a group working in an unfamiliar environment.
Safety is equally important.
Guest lecturers with experience working in impoverished circumstances advise the students on how to handle themselves in communities they will visit. They included a guide to answer concerns typically raised by parents. Hess and LaCroix would like to see the program expand. Funding is a major hurdle. Hess and LaCroix each volunteer about 20 hours weekly to run the program in addition to joining a team at spring break.