University students have the opportunity to make a difference by taking any of dozens of community service volunteer opportunities in Eugene.
Students with various career goals can receive field-specific benefits from volunteering, and many opportunities exist for social workers or education majors who plan to work with children. Future educators can gain hands-on teaching experience by assisting Eugene-area schools that have reading or tutoring programs.
Organizations like Committed Partners For Youth and the Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley also allow volunteers to gain valuable lessons in both youth development and working within a nonprofit program.
“Our goals are to provide an ongoing relationship and a safe place for young people to learn and grow,” Boys and Girls Clubs Executive Director Joy Douglas Doctor said.
Aside from educational opportunities, Eugene’s Child and Family Center coordinator Jennifer Jabson said volunteering will also provide students with a solid reference for future job applications.
“Our students may receive a letter of recommendation from the supervising scientist and team coordinator that could support efforts to be accepted to a graduate program, secure employment and other efforts,” she said.
Further social work opportunities exist for students interested in decreasing community violence. Womenspace is a local organization dedicated to decreasing violence through an advocacy center, a domestic violence legal clinic, a 24-hour crisis line and an educational program. Womenspace can help a prospective social worker, law student or psychologist learn about crisis intervention and violence through volunteering, Volunteer Program Manager Nancy Hefner said.
“The main thread is watching a volunteer go from having a minimal amount of knowledge about (violence) to being able to work with a wide range of agencies, the district attorney’s office, women in active crises and some in danger, while still keeping their composure and compassion,” Hefner said.
For students wanting to explore other avenues, many options exist. Those interested in the medical field can apply to volunteer at Sacred Heart Medical Center in the hospital’s Nursing Unit Volunteer program.
Environmentalists, on the other hand, can look into the BRING recycling program. Operations Manager Damien Czech said volunteers can work in general household recycling, in the resale yard or the deconstruction area, adding that he hopes students learn the virtues of reducing, reusing and recycling.
“Showing how much can be reused and kept out of landfills is our hope,” he said.
Students interested in research or psychology can contact the Child and Family Center, which conducts intervention and developmental research with children and families.
“The CFC provides students with the opportunity to enhance their practical research tools and professional skills that can be applied to graduate school, and employment ventures post-graduation,” Coordinator Jennifer Jabson said.
Students who want to reap these benefits have to plan carefully when applying, however. Organizations often require a background check and an interview or training session for potential volunteers in order to test their abilities and level of commitment.