Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/14049
AUGUST 2010 SPORTS & EDUCATION 74 PURVEYOR OF HOPE Paul Savoie wears many hats. He is known as an Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Political Science at Long Beach City College, Coordinator of LBCC's Honors Program, Lecturer of Liberal Studies at CSULB and also he is a member of the Barnhart School Board of Trustees. However, the most important role Savoie plays is being a role model for others. Savoie is committed to promoting the societal and individual benefits of community service learning. At LBCC he created the City SERVE and City TEACH programs to prepare the next wave of K-12 educators and was instrumental in a college-wide efforts to enhance student learning through "real" world experience. He is passionate about his mission and tireless in his volunteer recruiting efforts. Each year he encourages hundreds of LBCC students to donate their time and talent in various community service organizations. One such organization is Long Beach's BLAST (Better Learning After School Today), which Savoie has been involved in for the past nine years. Designed to encourage the educational success of at-risk youth, BLAST offers an Academic Mentoring Program, an After School Program, Operation Read, and Bridge to College. In addition, BLAST partners with government and community organizations like Goodwill Industries and Carmelitos Housing Development to provide service opportunities in workforce development, senior citizen programs and language and family literacy. BLAST also works with Long Beach Unified School District's Mary McLeod Bethune Transitional School for Homeless Children that serves the educational needs of homeless K-8 students. Largely staffed by volunteers, BLAST relies on individuals like Savoie to help them succeed. "Thirty-five percent of BLAST's academic mentors come from my classes," said Savoie. Clearly he's proud of his students' efforts and keenly aware of their influence as positive role models. "They're messengers of hope," said Savoie. "Some kids, at-risk kids, never even think about going to college, never think past high school; they're too busy just trying to survive." However, Savoie is quick to point out that community service is not one-sided. FACES & PLACES : COMMUNITY HERO WRITTEN BY LILY SALTER PHOTOGRAPHED BY HARTONO TAI