Several UC Merced students hovered around the Alpha Pregnancy Help Center's table on campus Thursday afternoon. They were learning about the stages of pregnancy as they looked at simulated embryos.
They were also learning more about the organization.
"It's the freshmen's first opportunity to meet groups" in the community, said Jim Greenwood, student life coordinator at UC Merced.
Alpha was among some 40 groups whose members braved the heat to participate in the sixth annual community involvement fair at UC Merced.
The groups included nonprofits, faith-based organizations and city service agencies.
The benefit of the fair works two ways, Greenwood said, because "a lot of these groups are looking for volunteers."
The university will have a community business fair today, with at least 50 vendors. On Wednesday, the campus held its club and organization fair, which attracted about 3,000 students, Greenwood said. The fairs are open to the public.
Sophomore Jonathan Roberts said he stopped at the fair Thursday on his way to class. He said the event is useful to students because they learn more about the community they live in. "They don't know what's out there," he said. "It makes it easier."
Carrie Alexander, development director for Alpha, said the center decided to attend the fair because the group wants to offer services to students. Pregnancy tests, post-abortion assistance and peer counseling are among the services offered.
Alpha was also there to attract interested volunteers.
Every semester the center has a few UC Merced students who help with their fundraising efforts and get the word out about the organization, Alexander said.
Tabatha Brogden, a sophomore at UC Merced, said she's volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County through her sorority, but she wants to do more. She was trying to find an organization with which to volunteer. "I'm involved on campus and I would like to give back to the community," she said.
Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at
(209) 385-2482 or
yamaro@mercedsun-star.com.
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