In the area of public service LACSI has significantly expanded its programming over the last few years. Since its inception, LACSI has had great success in connecting students to community service activities and Certificate students receive credit for internships and volunteer work, primarily in cooperation with service providers and units on campus working with the local Latino community. The Center's unique position to facilitate activities between Athens' growing and diverse Latino population, service providers and other UGA units, place LACSI in a prominent role to help students and faculty find service opportunities that interest them.

Recently LACSI participated in a College and University Awareness Project (CUAP) funded by the UGA Office of Public Service and Outreach. The project focused on helping Latino middle school kids to appreciate the benefits of education and the available resources to help them to reach their goals. LACSI also recently carried out an environmental education project with the State Botanical Garden, the Athens Public Library and Oasis Católico Santa Rafaela.

At UGA, LACSI works with the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Office of Public Service and Outreach, Minority Services, the Hispanic Student Association, Students for Latino/a Empowerment, CLASE, TELL and others, to address issues of diversity and to coordinate public service activities with the Athens community. Our community outreach has recently included work with the Athens-Clarke County School District, Catholic Social Services, the American Cancer Society, Eco Latino Magazine and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, to name a few. Rest assured, if you are interested in playing an active role in your community, LACSI can help you out!

If you would like to take part in LACSI outreach activities or need assistance in finding volunteer opportunities with the Athens-area Latino community, contact us!