Last Fall, students in CES 103- Helping Professions in Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies took their learning beyond the classroom through a new pilot fieldwork partnership with the Friendly Center, a community-based nonprofit serving families in Orange and Buena Park.

More than 60 students across three sections of CES 103 participated in the initiative. Each student completed a minimum of 10 hours of serve learning with the organization, gaining hands-on experience while contributing meaningful support to programs that directly impact children and families in the local community.

Each class focused on a distinct area of the Friendly Center’s work, allowing students to apply their skills in focused and practical ways. Together, the sections addressed three core pillars of the organization’s mission: marketing and outreach, educational programming, and food distribution.

One section concentrated on marketing and media support, helping the Friendly Center strengthen donor and volunteer recruitment efforts. Students created an extensive library of video lips and photographs that can be used for future marketing and storytelling. Many participants were from Dodge College, bringing creative and technical expertise that resulted in polished, professional assets.

Another section focused on after school programming, developing lesson plans on a variety of topics, including Computers 101, physical fitness, and financial literacy. These ready-to-use plans were designed to be engaging, accessible, and adaptable, supporting the Friendly Center’s ongoing educational enrichment efforts.

The third section supported the Friendly Mart, the Friendly Center’s emergency food distribution program. Students created recipe books, helped improve food trafficking efficiency, and planned and coordinated on-campus donation drives to support families experiencing food insecurity.

Dr. Kenia Cueto (Ph.D. ’17), President and CEO of the Friendly Center, praised the partnership saying, “Watching these students bring their ideas to life was inspiring. Their work created thoughtful, exciting projects that will continue to support children and families across our programs.”

This pilot program highlights the power of service learning, showing how Chapman students are preparing for careers in helping professions while giving back in meaningful ways right in our own backyard.