Office of Service-Learning
& Volunteer Programs
West Chester University
Office Location: B 19 Killinger Hall
Mailing Address: 238 Sykes Union
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-3379
Updated on May 13, 2013
Month of May, MCHC/Make a Change Campaign
This is a diaper drive effort within Chester County called "Make a Change" with a goal to collect 300 packages of diapers for their newborn children, causing them to reuse already soiled diapers, which in return, leads to major health problems for the babies. The Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County knows that there should be no "maybe's" when there’s a choice to help the fight for healthy babies. I would like to invite you to help us “Make a Change!” If you would like more information please contact Madison Young, Healthy Start Student Intern at my751302@wcupa.edu or (609)-744-7096. You can also view the attached flyer.
Camp Dreamcatcher is a non-profit organization in Kennett Square, PA that provides therapeutic, educational and recreational programming to youth infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our biggest program is our week-long, residential camp for approximately 130 youth impacted by HIV from the region. We are specifically looking for volunteer counselors for the Camo Week taking place at Camp Saginaw in Oxford, PA August 17th - August 24th. Volunteer counselors will work with campers ages 5-17. Counselors need to be 18 years or older and can come from any academic background/interest, they just need to be dedicated to working with children! We are also looking for General Volunteers to handle smaller responsibilities before and during the week of Camp. If students are interested, they can contact Chantal Whitehead, Chantel@kennett.net or 610-925-2998.
Friday, May 24th Cookout at The Hickman
Enjoy some sun and fun with residents of The Hickman at their spring cook out! Five volunteers are needed to help serve from 12:15pm-1:30pm. Please contact Jen Harris, Volunteer Coordinator, at 484-760-6306 for more information.
Sunday, May 26th Monthly Donut Sale and Buffet Breakfast
The Goshen Fire Company hosts monthly donut sales and buffet breakfasts at the firehouse. Proceeds benefit the Goshen Fire company. For more information, contact Keith Carney at 484-847-5488 or donuts@eastgoshenfireco.org
Saturday, June 1st Tour de Cure American Diabetes Association
Would you like to help in a big way with around 300 other volunteers? The success of this tour depends on volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. Individuals are needed to help out before the event and on the day of the ride. Volunteers will make sure the riders get the hydration they want, the direction they need, and the inspiration required to reach the finish line. Visit www.diabetes.org/tourdecurephilly for more information. Contact Rebecca Lauer if you are able to help or have questions at RLauer@diabetes.org
Saturday, June 1st Girls on the Run 5K & Stride Challenge
This 5K is the culminating event for the Girls on the Run, Girls on Track and STRIDE programs that use running to build self esteem, teach life lessons and build character. Many volunteer opportunities are available from 5:30 a.m. until 12:30 with approximately two hour time slots for each area. To sign up, please contact jssmith@YMCABWV.org
Sunday, June 9th Arc of Chester County Achievement Walk The Arc of Chester County is looking for volunteers to assist with its Arc Achievement Walk and Fun Day on Sunday, June 9. The event will be held at the Arc’s office at 900 Lawrence Drive, adjacent to West Goshen Park. Participants will walk a one mile loop around the park, followed by a picnic lunch and fun day activities, including moon bounces, a fire truck display, arts and crafts, bingo and clowns. Volunteers are needed to man the walk stations and assist with all of these activities. The event is from 11am to 2pm. Set up begins at 8:30 and breakdown begins at 2. We would welcome any WCU volunteers or anyone who would like to participate in the event itself. See www.arcofchestercounty.org
Sunday, June 23rd Monthly Donut Sale and Buffet Breakfast
The Goshen Fire Company hosts monthly donut sales and buffet breakfasts at the firehouse. Proceeds benefit the Goshen Fire company. For more information, contact Keith Carney at 484-847-5488 or donuts@eastgoshenfireco.org
Sunday, July 28th Monthly Donut Sale and Buffet Breakfast
The Goshen Fire Company hosts monthly donut sales and buffet breakfasts at the firehouse. Proceeds benefit the Goshen Fire company. For more information, contact Keith Carney at 484-847-5488 or donuts@eastgoshenfireco.org
Monday, August 5th - Sunday, August 18th Service Trip to Peru
The ACEER Foundation and ProWorld are teaming up to send 10 students to the highlands of Peru. These two organization are focused on creating real change for social issues and environmental conservation in Peru. For two weeks, students will be immersed into the Peruvian culture and the way of life in the Sacred Valley. Volunteers will live with a carefully selected homestay family. They will gain hands-on experience as they work on two projects with the ProWorld Team. Most families in the Sacred Valley of Peru have a limited supply of clean drinking water, leading ProWorld to design an affordable ceramic water filter that is 98% effective in eliminating bacteria in the water. In Peru, most families rely on wood burning stoves for cooking. There are many environmental and health risks associated with the typical stove, including air pollution and increased deforestation. ProWorld has created a low cost ceramic stove design that channels smoke out of the home and is more efficient, requiring 20% less firewood. Volunteers will be working to produce and educate locals on the benefits of clean water and stoves. Come join The ACEER Foundation, ProWorld, and your fellow students on this life changing experience to Peru! Contact Dylan Drake at DD677605@wcupa.edu, for more information about the trip.
Saturday, August 17th - Saturday, August 24th- Camp Dreamcatcher
Camp Dreamcatcher is a non-profit organization in Kennett Square, PA that provides therapeutic, educational and recreational programming to youth infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our biggest program is our week-long, residential camp for approximately 130 youth impacted by HIV from the region. We are specifically looking for volunteer counselors for the Camo Week taking place at Camp Saginaw in Oxford, PA. Volunteer counselors will work with campers ages 5-17. Counselors need to be 18 years or older and can come from any academic background/interest, they just need to be dedicated to working with children! We are also looking for General Volunteers to handle smaller responsibilities before and during the week of Camp. If students are interested, they can contact Chantal Whitehead, Chantel@kennett.net or 610-925-2998.
Sunday, August 25th Monthly Donut Sale and Buffet Breakfast
The Goshen Fire Company hosts monthly donut sales and buffet breakfasts at the firehouse. Proceeds benefit the Goshen Fire company. For more information, contact Keith Carney at 484-847-5488 or donuts@eastgoshenfireco.org
Sunday, September 22ndMonthly Donut Sale and Buffet Breakfast
The Goshen Fire Company hosts monthly donut sales and buffet breakfasts at the firehouse. Proceeds benefit the Goshen Fire company. For more information, contact Keith Carney at 484-847-5488 or donuts@eastgoshenfireco.org
The Following Agencies are Seeking Additional Volunteers
American Red Cross
Giving blood to the American Red Cross is not the only way that you can volunteer with this outstanding organization. There are multiple opportunities to help others in need and make a difference. A few of the skills that are needed in various volunteer opportunities include administrative, communication, IT, emergency, and teaching skills which can be used at health fairs, events, and the office headquarters. Please contact Barbyose Noisette Sanders, the Volunteer Specialist at 215.405.8554 (office), 267.228.1619 (mobile), or Barbyose.Sanders@redcross.org for a brochure and more information.
Brandywine Hall
Brandywine Hall appreciates volunteers especially during the evenings and weekends. There are several ways that you can volunteer at Brandywine Hall. They need nail painters, musicians who love to share their talents, actors to do skits and plays, and even artists who could share their thoughts and art. The residents at Brandywine Hall also appreciate volunteers who facilitate games for groups. If your talent or idea is not listed above, Brandywine Hall is open to suggestions! Donations of recent magazines are also enjoyed immensely by the residents of Brandywine Hall. They do not have to be the most current issue, but at least within the year. The residents enjoy visitors who can just spend time with them. It’s a wonderful treat for them to have visitors and friendly faces, new and old! Please contact Sue Founds, Director of Recreation at 610-738-3624 for more information.
Volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania!
The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania would like to become your partner in developing girls of courage, confidence and character. As a volunteer, you can choose to be involved in one of several flexible Girl Scout “Pathways”—no matter what your schedule looks like or where your skills lie, there’s a volunteer path that’s right for you. Lead or assist with a troop, facilitate a one-time program, chaperone at camp, organize and run an event, recruit girls, or help out behind the scenes—whichever option you choose will be rewarding and fun!
Volunteer with us and make it possible for girls throughout Eastern Pennsylvania to tap into their full potential and become strong, empowered leaders! Visit us at http://www.gsep.org/volunteers/become-a-volunteer.php to learn more!
GED Tutors Needed!
GED is looking for students and/or staff who may be interested in assisting students with improving their basic reading, writing, and math skills. Many of our students left high school without basic knowledge and have difficulty in a classroom setting. Without basic skills and /or a GED, employment and further education is out of reach. Volunteers would be working with small groups or one-on-one at DCCC campuses in both Delaware and Chester Counties. Volunteer form is available at dccc.edu/ged-tutor and for more information, contact jharman@dccc.eduor 484-237-6244.
Pedal for Affordable Housing with Bike & Build
Looking for a way to make a tremendous impact while meeting other incredible students, all as part of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Check out Bike & Build at bikeandbuild.org. Each summer, we operate 8 team-based cycling trips for young adults to pedal across the United States to raise money and awareness for affordable housing, building along the way with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, and other small nonprofits. Cycling experience is not necessary; just a passion for service and adventure! We even provide the bike (which you get to keep). Good deal, right?
Trips last about 10 weeks. Don’t have that much time? We also offer the Capital Ride, a two-week ride from Richmond to Philly in mid-July. Questions? Visit our website at www.capitalride.org or contact Justin Villere at justin@bikeandbuild.org. See you on the road!
Recruiting for volunteers to join The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with Advocacy
We are looking for groups or individuals who have an interest in public policy to perform letter writing campaigns and make visits in groups or with an LLS representative to their local state senators or house of representatives. This is an ongoing project, currently focusing on Oral Chemotherapy Access Legislation. For more information, please contact Patient Services Manager, Ilana Benyosef at 610-238-0360 ext 6781 or email ilana.benyosef@lls.org
Heartland Hospice in Chadds Ford, PA
Heartland Hospice is in constant need of volunteers to offer one-on-one time with patients as well as administrative help in their office. This is an opportunity to share a listening ear and a caring heart to those who need it the most. Please contact Laura Beth Jewell, Volunteer Coordinator and Music Therapist at (484)840-0811 or (610)655-7729 for more information.
Lionville YMCA kindergarten and afterschool programs
Lionville Community YMCA
Volunteers are needed to work directly with the school age population at the YMCA from now until elementary schools end in June. This opportunity is flexible to meet the needs of your schedule. The afterschool program runs Monday through Friday 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. One or two volunteers are also needed during the day from 12pm-6pm in the kindergarten school age program. Please contact Sue Gualtieri at 610-458-9090 x2822 for more information.
Lionville YMCA Daycare
Lionville Community YMCA
Volunteers are always welcome to help with the preschool/daycare population at the YMCA anytime of the year, including summer. This opportunity can adapt to meet the needs of your schedule. Available times to volunteer are between 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. You can volunteer for one hour or a few hours, anything is greatly appreciated! Please contact Sue Gualtieri at 610-458-9090 x2822 for more information.