Media Advisory

Johns Hopkins University's class of 2011 will make a difference in their new hometown during the ninth annual Freshman Day of Service. The event takes place 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Last year, more than 800 students participated.

Under the banner of this year's theme, "Baltimore — My New Hometown," the event will bring together new students, upperclassmen student leaders and local volunteer agencies and community advocates. Students meet at Shriver Hall in the morning, work on their respective projects through the day, and reconvene at the university's Interfaith Center for a reflection session.

The day of service introduces students to problems that Baltimore faces, as well as potential solutions to those problems. Students learn a simple model for service: Awareness, action and reflection. Organizers say that the three stages, which are interdependent and cyclical, provide a comprehensive way of approaching service.

Students will be going to various community organizations, such as Civic Works, Helping Up Mission, Community Mediation Program, Shady Rest, National Student Partnerships and others. In total, there are 27 projects. A list with links to the agencies and their addresses is online at csc.jhu.edu/involved.html.

The event was organized by undergraduates Tiffany Chen and Asha Cooke of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Social Concern. The center is the student volunteerism office on the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus; it currently coordinates the work of more than 40 student groups committed to serving the Baltimore community.

To reach students in the field on Wednesday, contact Amy Lunday at 443-287-9960 or acl@jhu.edu.