NORFOLK, Neb. – Northeast Community College encourages students to participate in activities that build relationships and develop their skills and interests, especially if they are related to their majors.
One of the way students can do that is through student groups and clubs, including the Criminal Justice Association (CJA).
Matt McCarthy, Criminal Justice program director and co-sponsor of CJA along with Colleen Barnes, who also is a Criminal Justice instructor, led the students on a couple of projects recently.
The first included making fleece tie-blankets that were donated to the Faith Regional Child Advocacy Center to give to juvenile victims of abuse. This year, the cost of these blankets was partially offset by a generous donation from the Northeast Classified Staff Association, McCarthy said.
Additionally, this year CJA worked with Bright Horizons and adopted a family in need. Members purchased a variety of items for that family to help the mother give her children, and herself, a better Christmas.
"These types of activities not only help those in need but are also good for our students,” McCarthy said. “Criminal Justice is a service-oriented field, and Colleen and I feel it is very important for our students’ education, professional development, as well as personal well-being to take part in these type of activities as often as possible."
Fleece-tie blankets
Northeast Community College Criminal Justice Association students work on fleece-tie blankets they made as one of their service projects. The blankets were donated to the Faith Regional Child Advocacy Center. (Northeast Community College)
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