(Chester, Pa., February 8, 2016)– Widener University will celebrate Community Week February 8 -12, 2016. Hosted by the Office of Civic Engagement, Community Week will include a number of activities focused on educating and encouraging engagement.

The week will kick off with a Volunteer Fair with Community Partners and will feature discussions and group dialogues throughout the week focusing on building relationships and sharing narratives of Chester.

Not only will students will have a chance to meet with members of the community, but they will also hear diverse narratives to help enhance their knowledge of the city. On Wednesday members from the Chester Senior Center will join students for lunch in the Café. That evening there will be a Poster Fair highlighting projects Widener faculty and students have done in partnership with the community.

The campus community will also have the change to “taste” the culture of the City of Chester. Throughout the week, Aramark will offer a variety of foods in the Pride Café that highlight the food culture and on Thursday, several business, including Phatso’s Bakery, Cheryl’s Southern Style, and Fare and Square will also come together to offer a taste of the city.

“It’s an opportunity to foster engagement in the community with our students and community partners,” Gretchen Mielke, dean of Civic Engagement, said. She hopes to see the week, become an annual event.

Community Week Events 

Yesterday, Feb. 8

11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Community Partner Volunteer Fair; University Center Atrium

7 p.m. Courageous Conversions Part II – roundtable discussion with members of university community; Lathem Hall

Tuesday, Feb. 9

6 p.m. Making our Mark: Building Bridges in Chester; MJ Freed Theater, 515 Avenue of the States, Chester

Wednesday, Feb. 10

12 p.m. Chester Senior Center Lunch; Pride Café

1 – 3 p.m. Story Circles with Seletz Visiting Civic Fellow, Tim Eatman; University Center, Room C

5 – 7 p.m. Civic Engagement Poster Fair; University Center Atrium

Thursday, Feb. 11

12 – 1 p.m. Taste of Chester; University Center Atrium

Friday, Feb. 12

3 p.m. Fare and Square Shopping Trip; to attend sign up at the fair on Monday;

5 p.m. Valentine’s Making for children in Chester; Pride Café