By Carolyn Camire

The Organization of Human Services (OHS) is an organization on campus designed to highlight and serve students who are interested in the field of Human Services and related areas such as Psychology and Sociology. This article is a re-cap of the major events the students participated in last spring and a preview of the various activities already planned for the fall semester. OHS hopes to encourage faculty, staff, and students to join the organization's efforts and/or become members.

March 2008 was an incredibly busy month for OHS, with four big events taking place. First, members hosted the Second Annual Human Services Alumni Career Panel and Brunch. Twelve (12) alumni shared their stories and advice about the program and how they have navigated the road to graduate school, employment, applications, and more. Overall, the alumni reassured students that their Villanova degrees continue to serve them well in their extremely varied fields.

Later in March, OHS delivered approximately 30 prom dresses to the Fairy Godmother Project. This project provides prom dresses at reasonable prices for low income students in urban areas. Thank you to everyone who donated a dress. The girls really appreciated them.

At the end of the month, six OHS members were inducted into the newly chartered Tau Alpha Upsilon Honor Society for Human Services. The ceremony was intimate and beautiful, with “words of wisdom” from Dr. Connie Titone, chair of the Department of Education and Human Services, Dr. Beverly Kahn, coordinator of the Human Services Program, and Mrs. Joan Capolupo, adjunct professor in the department and advisor for OHS and the Honor Society.

In April, the Department of Education and Human Services graciously gave OHS officers the opportunity to attend the Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Human Services held in Poughkeepsie, New York. The theme of the two-day conference was “Back to the Future: Let’s Reflect/Replenish/Reboot,” and attendees joined other Human Services students and faculty from the Mid-Atlantic states as they enjoyed seminars about various topics including diversity, poverty, art therapy, and more.

After such a successful spring semester, OHS would like to invite all students to become members or at least attend some of the organization's Fall events. OHS is hosting the first Second Mile event of the year as part of the Day of Service during St. Thomas of Villanova weekend. The theme is “Game Day” and activities will be taking place Sunday, Sept. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., in St. Mary’s Gym. OHS is looking for volunteers to be with the kids, and organizations to sponsor and run activities. Don’t miss this monthly opportunity to befriend and mentor at-risk youth from southeastern Pennsylvania.

Currently, OHS is teaming up with the Turn the Town Teal Campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Members will hang ribbons and posters to get the word out about this life-threatening disease, which currently has no reliable diagnostic tool for early detection.

In October, Tau Alpha Upsilon Honor Society will begin seeking its annual toy and supply donations to send to an orphanage in Korea, as well as accepting applications for Honor Society membership.

If you would like more information about this active and growing organization, please attend the first meeting of the year on Thursday, September 11, at 5 p.m. in Driscoll Room 246 (the new nursing building). Pizza will be served, so don’t miss it!

If you are interested in joining OHS or finding out more about this all-inclusive, service-oriented, and exciting group, please e-mail the President at Carolyn.Camire@villanova.edu or Joan.capolupo@villanova.edu, faculty advisor.
If you think you might be interested in the Human Services major, please contact Dr. Beverly Kahn .
 

OHS Executive Board Members smile in front of the dresses donated by the Villanova community.
From left to right, Francine Gorres (2007-2008 Treasurer), Lynn Camire (2007-2008 Public Relations
Chair, 2008-2009 President), Amanda Allen (2007-2008 President).

Attendees of the Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Human Services at the closing ceremony at breakfast.
From left to right, Jen Yang (07-08 Second Mile Chair), Amanda Allen (07-08 President), Lynn Camire
(07-08 Public Relations Chair, 08-09 President), Brigid Barry (07-08, 08-09 Vice President), Amanda Grace
(08-09 Public Relations Chair).

TAU members and new inductees, from left to right, Lori Sabino, Lynn Camire,
Amanda Allen, Jen Yang, Brigid Barry, Coreen Wainscott, Amanda Grace,
Kristian Weger, Francine Gorres.

Tau Alpha Upsilon Honor Society Induction, back row: Dr. Connie Titone (Chair of Department
of Education and Human Services), Lynn Camire (07-08 Public Relations Chair, 08-09 President,
Inductee), Brigid Barry (07-08, 08-09 Vice President, Inductee), Coreen Wainscott (OHS Member,
Inductee), Amanda Grace (08-09 Chair of Public Relations, Inductee), Kristian Weger (OHS
Member Inductee), Mrs. Joan Capolupo (Assistant Professor in Department of Education and
Human Services, Advisor of OHS) front row: Lori Sabino (07-08 Honor Society Chair),
Amanda Allen (07-08 President), Jen Yang (07-08 Second Mile Chair), Francine Gorres
(07-08 Treasurer, Inductee), Dr. Beverly Kahn (Coordinator of the Human Services Program).