The start of a new academic year brings another year of community outreach at Lone Star College-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center benefitting residents and organizations throughout Cy-Fair.
“Right around the corner is Cy-Fest, the college’s annual gift to the community, a labor of love that brings our staff, faculty, students and community members together,” said Michelle Tran, college relations director.
This day of free food, festivities and family fun will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 on the campus at 9191 Barker Cypress. Cy-Fest 6 features activities for all ages with a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, face painting, Radio Disney, moonwalks, duck races, a train ride and laser tag. New this year will be the 1st Airborne Adventure and the Adrenaline Rush Obstacle Course. In addition, there will be refreshments as well as information available on college offerings and area non-profit organizations.
“But Cy-Fest is only one of LSC-CyFair’s many outreach efforts positively impacting our community,” said Tran.
LSC-CyFair partners with area non-profit organizations, such as Reach Unlimited, Habitat for Humanity and area assisted-living centers. With more than 10,000 community services hours, students in courses with Service Learning designations helped earn the college national recognition with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
A partnership between Mission of Yahweh and LSC-Fairbanks Center, a satellite campus at 14955 Northwest Freeway, began when shelter residents were given one-on-one guidance and the chance to earn their GED or an occupational certification. More recently, LSC-Fairbanks Center employees donated their community garden harvest of 20 pounds of carrots, onions, radishes and strawberries to the shelter’s food pantry.
“Many of our student organizations hold various food, clothing, toy and supply drives benefiting community groups in need,” Tran said. “For example, the Technology Society’s Electronics Recycle Drive collected more than 2,300 lbs in televisions, computers, cell phones and more for Goodwill of Houston.”
The college's Counseling, Career and Disability Services Department teamed up with Dress For Success® Houston for a community-wide drive collecting interview-appropriate suits for disadvantaged women seeking employment. Dresses for teens in need are also collected for the college library’s annual Prom Dress Give-Away, which provides free dresses and accessories for prom and other events for teens in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District and five other school districts.
The Student Ambassadors and the Tennis Team partnered with Adopt A US Soldier (AAUSS) last fall to honor the brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces.
“Their project reached across the world with involvement from students, faculty, staff and campus visitors in writing letters to the soldiers and donating items for care packages,” said Tran. “This year, our ambassadors have adopted Lieder Elementary School. They recently held a back-to-school supply drive and volunteered as Bus Buddies.”
College employees also participate in CFISD’s annual Bus Buddies program, as well as chamber events, are involved in middle school and high school student visits to the college campus and mentor students at area schools.
Players on the Women’s Soccer Team and the Tennis Team have also mentored young athletes on the soccer field and the tennis courts. Tennis players were trained as Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Certified Tennis Coaches, volunteered at SOTX events and hosted a basic skills tennis clinic for Special Olympics athletes ages 16 and older.
“From its inception, LSC-CyFair has built a foundation of helping others in our area through fund-raising efforts and countless volunteer hours,” said LSC-CyFair President Dr. Audre Levy who launched a new campus initiative last spring called Community 10.
Bins were made available to collect donations of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant and lotion and deliver to Cypress Assistance Ministries.
“LSC-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center students, faculty and staff are making a difference in Cy-Fair throughout the year,” Tran said. “We are honored to give back in so many different ways to a community so supportive of our college.”
For information on college programs, events, registration and more, go to LoneStar.edu.