Community OutreachCommunity PartnersCommunity Outreach partners with community-based organizations in multiple ways. Realistically we can not meet every need, but we do try to offer an array of services that help organizations fulfill their missions. Looking for Volunteers?We advertise volunteer opportunities through our website and weekly email publication Call for Action. We usually include service opportunities, public service career information, and social change oriented funding opportunities (fellowships, grants, etc.) For examples, please see our Events and Opportunities page. To submit an opportunity, please complete this form: Community Outreach ProgramsBelow are the ways in which we organize our community service opportunities for students. If your agency would like to be involved, please contact communityoutreach@uconn.edu. Community Service Days (CSDs): CSDs are one-day projects designed to meet the short-term needs of community partners and assist students & student organizations to participate in a low commitment service activity that is convenient & meets their interests. Example projects include sorting donations, preparing meals, painting facilities, and cleaning nature trails. Community Service Days schedules are set in July and December of each for the following semester. More info. Semester Long Programs (SLP): SLPs require students to serve on a regular basis (usually at least once per week). Students work in schools, community centers, hospitals, and other not-for-profit organizations. More info. Alternative Breaks & Immersion: These weekend and weeklong trips promote service-learning through direct public service with regional, national and international communities to heighten social awareness, enhance personal growth and advocate lifelong social action. Students learn about issues as varied as urban poverty, violence, hunger, inadequate housing, domestic violence, and environmental damage. Trips occur during winter, spring, and summer breaks. More info. Individual Placements: Community Outreach staff work with students who are looking for a service placement that meet their personal, academic, or professional interests and needs. Placements can be in the form of community service, employment, or academic internship depending on the needs of the student and the organization. Additionally, we support students who are mandated by a court or the University judicial system to complete a community restitution requirement. Community Service Federal Work Study ProgramStudents who are eligible for Federal Work Study funds can choose to work in a community service oriented placement at a local non-profit agency. To be involved, an agency must be partnered with Community Outreach through a Semester Long Program or register with the Student Employment in the Office of Student Financial Aid Service. For more information on go to Federal Work Study. Role of Student LeadersStudent Leaders work closely with program participants and community partners to ensure a meaningful service experience. They are responsible for volunteer recruitment, program planning, implementing service that meets self-identified community needs, and promoting reflection about social issues. Student leaders are supported by a number of peer and professional resources. They attend a week of training before the start of the fall semester to develop leadership skills, build collaboration among student leaders, and prepare for their programs. Throughout the year they participate regularly in their programs and maintain frequent communication with Community Outreach staff and their community partners. Are you in our agency database?We have over 250 public and not-for-profit organizations registered with our office. We use the database to help identify community service, service-learning, and internships placements, communicate with partners, and track student participation. Although being in our database does not guarantee that your organization will receive students, it does allow us to inform students of your organization’s mission and service opportunities. Agency profiles are officially updated every summer. If you don’t know if your agency is registered with us, please call 486-1165 and ask a staff member to look you up. If you are not registered with us, please complete this form and mail to: |
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