UWindsor’s Centre for Smart Community Innovation (CSCI) is the IT power behind the launch of the United Way Windsor-Essex County’s new volunteer matching Web site, WEVolunteer.ca, celebrated Tuesday in the CAW Student Centre.

WEVolunteer is an innovative and free service that matches the skills, interests and experiences of volunteers to local non-profit organizations. The United Way encourages volunteerism as a way to learn new skills, meet new people, improve resumes, and most importantly, give back to the community.

CSCI took part through the development of software that makes the program possible.

 “CSCI has been supporting the creation of a one-stop volunteer matching resource for the region through our Connecting Windsor-Essex activities,” says Kristina Verner, CSCI’s research and development officer.

She gives particular credit to Jason West, who developed the matching engine and database that will now be used.

 “We’re proud to say that the matching database leverages the Smart Community Portal infrastructure and is an excellent example of how regional collaboration is helping to transform Windsor-Essex into one of the most intelligent communities in the world!” she says.

United Way volunteers placed 500 flags on the lawn between Chrysler and Dillon halls Tuesday, each one representing 5,333 Canadian youths who volunteered in 2010 — a total of 2,666,840 volunteers between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

United Way seeking student coordinator for August 2012

The United Way is seeking applications for the position of its student coordinator for the 2012/13 school year. The part-time job involves promoting the charity on campus. Read the job description and application details.