For many students, spring break is a week away from homework, teachers and lectures.
Instead of spending it lounging in front of the television and eating junk food, why not spend some time out in the community volunteering? Whether it’s working at a soup kitchen, working with troubled youths or just picking up trash at a neighborhood park, volunteer work is often appreciated.
A good place to start a quest to volunteer is at the Community Internship Program’s office, located in the breezeway of the EMU. There, staff members are available to help point students in the right direction to get information on a group or organization they would be interested in volunteering for.
“We are the link between the community and students,” said Marcella Marchesano, the CIP executive director. “We offer programs based on experiential learning and hands-on learning.”
The CIP helps place students in programs in many areas, including leadership, mentorship, public schools, outdoor schools and Building Blocks. Students can get involved teaching middle school students about higher education, or working with at-risk youths one-on-one. Students can even receive academic credit, depending on how many hours they work.
“Most organizations are looking for kids with a good work ethic, good academic standing, and who are dedicated and really interested in learning,” Marchesano said.
Another place on campus that can always use an extra hand is the Women’s Center.
“The Women’s Center offers a community of women dedicated to creating social change through educational endeavors and social events,” said Lori Brown, the office coordinator. “We offer drop-in referral services on issues pertaining to women, such as safety, LGBTA, issues and child care.”
Volunteers at the Women’s Center can also get involved in organizing and planning events such as Take Back the Night and creating the center’s newsletter, “The Siren.” The center also offers internships for its sexual assault peer support program.
“If people want to get involved on a one-time basis, they can always hang up fliers, do follow-up phone calls or work on our networking list,” Brown said. “We provide a learning environment so students don’t need to come to us with certain skills.”
The YWCA is another group on campus in need of volunteers.
“Our program aims for gender equality and diversity,” Director Kathy Kozlowicz said.
YWCA volunteers would be involved in a number of activities, including event planning, PR and helping to create the center’s magazine, “Identity.”
During spring break, the YWCA could use volunteers to help plan its spring events, such as Race Against Racism.
“We are looking for volunteers who are organized and can follow through,” Kozlowicz said. “Volunteers would be working without a lot of supervision, so they need to be responsible and willing to learn.”
For students who are not spending spring break in Eugene, there are many volunteering opportunities nationwide. For example, local public schools, day-care centers, or youth programs can use volunteers. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have offices and programs in many cities across the country and need a great number of volunteers.
“We have over 900 volunteers in Lane County,” said Marianne Ansart, Red Cross health and safety and volunteer director. “We always need volunteers. We never have enough of them.”
Red Cross volunteers are involved in a variety of different programs including Meals on Wheels, youth programs, first aid, CPR and safety classes, and the disaster service. Volunteers do things such as deliver and package meals or help with fundraising.
Volunteer work doesn’t require a lot of knowledge or experience. All volunteers need are time, dedication, and a caring heart.
“Volunteers really don’t need to have any certain skills,” Ansart said. “Just a willingness to want to volunteer.”