This summer, about 30,000 high school graduates may be looking for some way to get eight hours of community service. One of the requirements for Tennessee Promise, the state’s free community college program, is for students to spend time either volunteering or job shadowing — which has made some nonprofits very happy.
Archie’s Promise in Murfreesboro, for example, sells discounted formal wear to low-income families. CEO Claressa Ham was having trouble recruiting volunteers to man her concession booth at CMA Fest, but then she got listed on the page of volunteer opportunities for Tennessee Promise students.
“Within two days of putting it on the website, I got 30 to 40 volunteers,” she says. “It felt like my prayers had been answered.”
This hasn’t worked as well for every organization listed on the website. The volunteer coordinator at Azalea Trace Assisted Living Center says she’s only gotten a few inquiries so far.
Still, only about 20 percent of students have completed some or all of the requirement, according to the organization keeping track of their service hours. Students have until Aug. 1 to finish.
As of early May, 31,985 students were still eligible for Tennessee Promise.
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