Human Services Class Lends Expertise to Community Challenge

Published 09.28.2016

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School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications News

Students in a human services class at Pennsylvania College of Technology are lending their expertise to an important local cause – the Community Challenge supporting the Salvation Army of Williamsport.

This year’s Community Challenge offers two events: the Salvation Army 10K & 20K Trail Race, set for Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m., and the Salvation Army Community Challenge 5K Run/Walk, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m.

Ten students in the college’s Community and Organizational Change course are devoting their fall semester to the nonprofit endeavor that raises funds to support the local Salvation Army’s tutoring, mentoring, food distribution, and financial planning and budgeting courses.



Some of the students in the Community and Organizational Change course discuss logistics in support of the Community Challenge. From left are Holly N. Engel, Montoursville; Sabrina A. Schubert, Clarks Summit; Brooke L. Gray, Muncy; Mandy M. Myers, Duke Center; Travis R. Neyhart, Jersey Shore; and Tierney N. Lookingbill, York. All of the students are enrolled in the applied human services major. The Salvation Army of Williamsport helps approximately 400 area families each month.

“This project has provided a great opportunity for our students to experience the challenges of successfully organizing a large-scale event, and their efforts are making a significant difference in our community,” said Michael J. Reed, dean of sciences, humanities and visual communications, who is also instructing the Community and Organizational Change course during the Fall 2016 semester. “The funds being raised through these two races are putting books into children’s hands, food on plates and helping families get back on their feet. The students’ selfless efforts are truly inspiring!”

The Salvation Army Community ChallengeThe Oct. 1 Trail Race will be held on the Williamsport Water Authority Property, 1600 Mosquito Valley Road, DuBoistown. The Nov. 12 event will take place at Williamsport Area High School’s cross-country course.

More information on participating and donating to the Community Challenge is available at the Salvation Army website.

To learn more about Penn College’s human services major, visit the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.