Summer Place Director Jeanne Conrad (right) and Linda Goldman, associate director, with Little Sister Felicia Edwards

The University of Hartford's Center for Community Service (CCS), in cooperation with Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, has initiated a campus-based program for a group of third graders from the Metacomet Elementary School in Bloomfield, Conn. The youngsters come to campus once a week to take part in activities with their University mentors.

About 15 University volunteers, including students and staff, are serving as one-on-one mentors for each child, according to Irwin Nussbaum, director of the University's Center for Community Service. The mentors assist children in learning how to develop and maintain healthy relationships; communicate feelings, opinions and ideas; enhance self-esteem; improve academic attitudes; and provide new cultural, athletic, and educational experiences.

For more information or to volunteer, call the CCS at 860.768.4413.