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City Links returned for its fourth year on Saturday, September 18. Bringing the community together, APU teamed up with the city of Azusa and the Azusa Unified School District for the day-long service and community event. "City Links is a great way for students to get to know their neighbors that live beyond the campus walls," said Joell Emoto '05, Adams Hall Resident Advisor (RA).
City Links started in the early morning when APU staff and student leaders prepared for the arrival of more than 1,000 first-year students, who attend the event as part of the general studies Beginnings course. At 8 a.m., first-year students arrived, received their City Links shirts, grabbed a bagged breakfast, and sat down in the Felix Event Center with their Alpha groups.
After a brief time, Tim Hooten, director of the Office of Ministry and Service (MAS), spoke and presented a video to pump up City Links, while encouraging continual service in the Azusa community beyond the day's service requirements. After APU President Jon R. Wallace, DBA, gave the final sendoff, Alpha Leaders took their students to designated sites. ASB, the offices of Chapel Programs and Residence Life, and other groups participated as well.
For the next few hours, groups spent time working at local churches, schools, parks, and the San Gabriel Valley river to rake, weed, pick up trash, as well as meet other maintenance needs. Some groups attended a meeting where Azusa Assistant City Manager Robert Person spoke on the history of Azusa before the groups took a tour of the city. Students also broke ground and cleared debris for future planting at the new community garden, a project that began two years ago.
Through City Links, APU and the city of Azusa have been able to strengthen their partnership. “City Links was very successful with getting students out in the community,” said Hooten. “It’s exciting to collaborate so closely with the community.”
During the afternoon, a festival took place on the West Campus athletic fields and welcomed the entire community. Events included a pony-go-round, Sponge Bob Square Pants playhouse, inflatable slide, petting zoo, prize raffles, and live music.
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