SOMERVILLE, MA- Poverty affects people of all stages and in all phases of life. National Student Partnerships (NSP) brings that realization to life for area college students and equips them with the tools to combat poverty at its roots. The organization also proves that community engagement does not end at graduation.

"NSP gets students into the habit of giving their time. It ends up as a lifetime commitment," says NSP parent Carl Treleaven.

On Saturday, October 19, 2005, twenty NSP student volunteers and alumni joined forces to take part in a day-long service project to complement the day-to-day work of the students. The group renovated the Somerville Homeless Coalition Adult Shelter by painting several rooms. The group also prepared and served dinner for shelter guests.

The event was part of the NSP Alumni Association National Day of Service, an effort to engage alumni in ongoing efforts to strengthen local communities. In five cities across the country alumni and student volunteers completed projects, which included hosting a job fair for Hurricane Katrina evacuees and running an after school Halloween party for underprivileged children. The day also provided participants with the opportunity to connect with area residents and fellow alumni.

"It was extremely rewarding to know that my efforts contributed to short and long-term happiness for a number of individuals," says NSP alumna Monisha Sharma. "I felt engaged as a resident of the community, and I was thrilled to continue serving with NSP on this first annual Day of Service."

Founded in 1998, NSP works to bridge the gap between universities and communities to combat unemployment and homelessness. NSP operates 15 Local Offices where student volunteers work one-on-one with low-income community members to help them find housing, employment and other social services. Locally, Harvard University students have assisted community members for four years at the Cambridge Multi-Service Center in Central Square and expanded to an office staffed by Tufts University students in Davis Square, Somerville in 2004. For more information on NSP visit www.nspnet.org or contact Lisa Fishlin.

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