UNE presented 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Award by Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

UNE students spent more than 75,000 hours volunteering in the community during the 2017-2018 academic year. Some of those students are being recognized for their service. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office presented students from the Westbrook College of Health Professions its 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Award.

Students learning to become physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, nurses and social workers spend three hours a week working with inmates inside the Cumberland County Jail. They plan and design a weekly program for inmates helping them with wellness issues such as oral health, weight loss and relaxation.

“It’s helping our students understand how to work within that environment. It’s a little bit of a challenge when you’re trying to give health advice in the confines of jail and you don’t have all the resources that you’re used to,” says Trisha Mason, M.A., director of the WCHP Service Learning program.

Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce applauds the students for their dedication to the program. He says the inmates can often be difficult to work with, but the volunteer work provides the students with valuable experience they can take into their chosen professions.

“They derive a benefit through dealing with, in most cases, some of the toughest customers they’ll ever meet in their careers. That will serve them well as they move in to whatever roles they fill,” he said.

Many students find the experience so rewarding, they want to sign up again the following year.

“They’re purely volunteers. They’re not required to do this. They’re not doing it for credit. I think it really shows the spirit of UNE students, that they’re willing to spend that much time working with a vulnerable and often disregarded population,” says Mason.

Officials at the jail have been so impressed with the program, they are interested in having a similar one for corrections officers. UNE’s Service Learning Office, together with faculty, is working with students this summer to put together a program that will help the officers better deal with issues they encounter on the job such as stress, trauma and working together as a team.

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions