VOLUNTEERING
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Center for Service and Leadership helps students engage in learning activities that address human and community needs. Service learning is the process of integrating community service and critical thinking exercises into the curriculum to enhance and enrich student learning and development. Academic credit is offered to students in classes where faculty includes a service-learning component. Volunteer opportunities, service-learning forms, and handbooks are available at http://www.gmu.edu/student/csl/
Sexual Assault Services (SAS) provides a confidential and comprehensive
response to all reports of sexual assault and the related issues of stalking
and dating/domestic violence. SAS also offers information, psychological,
medical, legal and judicial advocacy, and assistance with academic intervention.
SAS provides educational programs to campus organizations and classes
and offers a volunteer component to students with its Peer Support Program. http://www.sexualassaultservices.gmu.edu/.
Student Activities strives to create a holistic learning community designed
to complement academic studies and enhance the overall educational experience
of students. Through involvement and participation in leadership, cultural,
governance, service and social activities, students will be changed to
think critically and develop skills and competencies preparing them for
success in the greater global society. The Student Leadership and Community
Service Awards offers awards that are designed to honor individuals,
recognized student organizations, and advisors that have made outstanding
contributions to their communities through their involvement, service
and leadership development activities http://www.gmu.edu/student/sa/about.html. <back
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Community and Volunteering is one of Fairfax County’s greatest assets – a strong sense of community http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/living/community/. A citizen can get involved with community or citizen association or volunteer at one of the parks, libraries, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to help contribute to the quality of life in Fairfax County.
Greater DC Cares is the Greater Washington's leading coordinator of volunteerism and corporate philanthropy. Harnessing the energy, skills, goods and talent, the greater DC Cares actively engages the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia in unique and rewarding giving experiences that strengthen community organizations and enrich Greater Washington. The web site provides a list of volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations throughout the area. For a list of opportunities or other information regarding opportunities for families and for youths visit http://www.dc-cares.org/
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) volunteers make gardens grow at Carlyle House Historic Park and Meadowlark Gardens, give tours and programs, staff visitor and nature centers, assist with clerical tasks and special events, and work on trail and landscape improvements. The web site offers questions and answers about volunteer opportunities and a list of the regional parks. http://www.nvrpa.org/volunteers.html
Virginia AmeriCorps offers a variety of programs of service activities throughout the commonwealth including such examples as Community Housing Partners Corporation, The Good Shepherd Alliance, Inc., Habitat for Humanity, Virginia Crime Prevention Association, and Our Health, Inc. http://www.vaservice.org/americorps/program.html
VirginiaCORPS offers a volunteer Neighborhood Watch Program. To find out more about this community-oriented program and others like it, visit http://www.virginiacorps.org/CitizenCorps/nw/nwChoose.cfm.
YMCA of Metropolitan Washington offers community services, health and fitness programs, childcare, camps, and youth and family services. Volunteer programs include tutors, literacy volunteers, childcare, teen volunteer programs, hosted workshops, and hobby leadership. http://www.ymcawashdc.org/ <back to top>
American Red Cross National Capital Area offers steps to becoming a volunteer. The American Red Cross has many different areas where volunteers can help. For information regarding how to get started and to find the nearest Red Cross location, visit http://www.redcrossdc.org/Volunteer/how_to_volunteer.php3.
Corporation for National and Community Service engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to help strengthen communities. Through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve, America has mobilized a new generation of engaged citizens. The programs help thousands of national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. National and community service programs work closely with traditional volunteer organizations to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the ability of America’s volunteers to contribute not only to their communities, but also to the nation. The web site offers information about why people volunteer, benefits of volunteering, and how to get involved. http://www.cns.gov/
National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/ under the U.S. Department of the Interior has many opportunities for individuals to become involved in stewardship of these national treasures by volunteering, working, or interning in one of 380 parks. The web site offers a list of different types of positions available for volunteering. http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/
Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when Senator John F Kennedy challenged students to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. Now more than 178,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 138 host countries to work on issue ranging from AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation. On the web site are their mission statement, history, books on the Peace Corps, what volunteers do, where volunteers go, and how to apply. http://www.peacecorps.gov/
Peacework offers projects for volunteers in groups of 6 to 60. Volunteer groups learn about the dynamics of global hunger and poverty by working together with local people on housing, health, the environment, and other development issues in countries around the world. http://www.peacework.org/
U. S. Department of Human Services includes the Office of Community Service (OCS) that is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. OCS represents a modest collection of discretionary and block grant resources. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/
USA Freedom Corps is the President’s call to service. Housed at the White House, the USA Freedom Corps is working to strengthen the culture of service and help find opportunities for every American to start volunteering. The comprehensive network gives individuals service opportunities that match their interests and talents in their hometowns, across the country or around the world. A list of national service programs and volunteer service initiatives can be found at http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/.
Volunteer America – promotes the activities of volunteers on public lands all across America. The web site includes volunteer opportunities, volunteer vacations, a free newsletter, and a volunteer kit. http://www.volunteeramerica.net/activities.htm
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators is designed for student affairs administration, policy and practice and affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. http://www.naspa.org/
Network for Good offers a search system that locates volunteer opportunity locally, nationally, and internationally. It also offers tips on how to volunteer wisely, and insight into why people volunteer. http://www.networkforgood.org/volunteer/ <back to top>