Volunteer activities
Many volunteer positions—some for credit—are available through such programs as the California Alumni Association, CalPIRG, KALX, Recreational Sports, University Health Services, Student Learning Center, and SUPERB. (Contact each department for information.) Also check here for information on tutoring for credit.
Cal Corps Public Service Center
Cal Corps Public Service Center is the campus center for community-based education, civic engagement, and service-learning. The Center offers ways for students to connect their academics to real world social issues, while creating a positive impact on local communities. Cal Corps programs incorporate advocacy/education, direct service, leadership development, personal/professional development, and reflection. Students have the opportunity to run their own programs, lead their peers, and work with community leaders and staff. Programs include Cal in the Capital Internship Program, Alternative Breaks, the Bonner Leaders Program, and more! Cal Corps resources for students include an online volunteer opportunities database, internship information, a service and leadership library, student group sponsorship and funding, postgraduate advice on programs such as the Peace Corps (see here), and AmeriCorps opportunities to earn work-study pay, scholarships, leadership and social issue trainings, and an electronic newsletter of upcoming public service/leadership development opportunities. Cal Corps also works with student groups, housing staff, campus departments, or any organization looking to organize service projects for its members (publicservice.berkeley.edu; 505 Eshleman Hall; publicservice@berkeley.edu; 510/642-3916).
Social Issues, Social Action is a spring semester DeCal class for freshmen living in the residence halls that helps students explore personal motivations for engaging in service while discussing current social issues affecting Berkeley, learning from local community leaders, and engaging in direct-service projects with their peers. Social Issues, Social Action is intended to inspire freshman to continue on to leadership positions in student-initiated and community-based service programs (publicservice.berkeley.edu; 505 Eshleman Hall; publicservice@berkeley.edu; 510/642-3916).
The Berkeley Project is an annual one-day service event in late October/early November that engages over 1500 Cal students in direct community service. The Berkeley Project works with local non-profits, City of Berkeley departments, and Berkeley Unified Schools to develop strategies to address current community needs. Cal students can join the planning committee, sign up to be a project leader, or volunteer the day of. The Berkeley Project also coordinates Berkeley Project Month during the spring semester, which consists of smaller projects with 100 volunteers (bp.berkeley.edu; 505 Eshleman Hall; berkeleyproject@gmail.com; 510/642-3916).
Alternative Breaks is a national movement engaging students in service and leadership opportunities during their winter and spring breaks and on weekends. Student-led groups travel around the state and country to meet the needs of underserved populations and discuss vital social issues. Past breaks have focused on Gulf Coast clean-up, environmental awareness, immigration, healthcare and women’s rights, and the life and values of Cesar Chavez. Participants are eligible to earn units. Alternative Breaks recruits students during the spring of each year to lead projects the following academic year (publicservice.berkeley.edu; altbreaks@berkeley.edu).
Destination: College promotes college awareness to low-income, first generation, and underprivileged youth in the Bay Area who are not typically college-tracked. Destination: College members are placed with a partner site to help prepare youth for higher education through college/academic advising, college application assistance, tutoring/academic support, and mentoring. Members also come together for training, reflection, and National Days of Service. If they commit to 10-15 hours per week for one year, they will earn a $1000 scholarship at the completion of their year of service. Work-study students can earn $9.20/hour.
The Bonner Leaders Program works with student leaders to advance service and leadership development on- and off-campus. Bonner Leaders head their own programs based out of Cal Corps (such as Alternative Breaks, Cal in Local Government, and Cal in the Capital), or based in local non-profits and schools (such as Coaching Corps, Berkeley Food and Housing Project, and the Willard Youth Support Program).
Cal Camp
A tradition that dates back to the 1930s, this volunteer ASUC organization trains students as camp counselors for a nonprofit, one-week summer camp. The camp encourages socially and economically-disadvantaged children to build positive self-images. If you would like to be a camp counselor, contact Cal Camp or stop by the office (406 Eshleman Hall; 510/642-5349).
Stiles Hall
Students have the opportunity to participate in several outstanding community service projects at Stiles Hall. Student volunteers are trained to serve as mentors and role models to low-income and minority youth, tutor children in structured after-school programs, form meaningful friendships with local senior citizens, and assist high-achieving African American, Latino, and Native American seniors and community college students with their college application process. Stiles Hall also sponsors “Facing You, Facing Me,” a small seminar where student leaders from various backgrounds facilitate meaningful discussions around race, class, and gender. Students develop personally and professionally while addressing significant challenges that face the local community. Each project requires four to six hours a week of consistent commitment for two semesters. Most positions offer academic credit, and there are limited work-study positions available. The primary selection process is in early fall (stileshall.org; 2400 Bancroft Way at Dana; info@stileshall.org; 510/841-6010).
The YWCA @ UC Berkeley
The YWCA on Bancroft Way (across from Hearst Gym) provides numerous volunteer opportunities for students: Youth Mentor Program, English-in-Action, the Student Leadership Board, Eliminating Racism Programs, internships, and many other projects that involve working with children. Students are also recruited to plan and present during a national campaign, “Week Without Violence,” in October and to mentor high school students for Shadow Day in April. In addition, students can work with the YWCA to design other volunteer opportunities (ywca-berkeley.org/; 2600 Bancroft Way; 510/848-6370).
The Youth Mentor Program matches Cal students with at-risk middle school students in one-to-one relationships. The commitment is ideally for both fall and spring semesters, and some students stay with their match all four years. Training, support, and lots of fun activities are planned: ice skating, field trips, sports events, Halloween parties, and more.
The English-in-Action Program matches UC Berkeley international students and visiting scholars with native English-speaking partners for a one hour-per-week commitment. Learn about another culture and share yours with a new friend while encouraging world peace and understanding!
The Pre-Kindergarten Enrichment Program provides low-income kids ages two to five years with key literacy and math skills they need to get a head start in kindergarten. Create your own lesson plans, play games, teach academic and social skills, and have fun while serving our youngest community members.
The TechGYRLS Program matches female UC Berkeley students with elementary school girls in Oakland to foster positive relationships through the medium of technology. Be a mentor and teach girls to animate, create web pages, and much more!
The Eracism Seminar explores the subject of more subtle forms of racism in a weekly seminar. Participants get to know each other as individuals and as allies committed to eliminating racism. Participants explore thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of individuals on the issue of racism in order to effectively challenge racism through action projects and leadership development.
Big Ideas @ Berkeley
Big Ideas @ Berkeley grants funds to Cal undergraduate and graduate student projects year round and runs an annual competition, “Bears Breaking Boundaries,” to award the best student ideas. Through the Big Ideas @ Berkeley website students can register and propose projects to tackle major global, regional, and local challenges such as clean energy, the environment, public health, safe drinking water, public policy, and technology-based entrepreneurship. Funding for Big Ideas @ Berkeley selected projects comes through donations via the UC Berkeley Foundation. Contact Big Ideas @ Berkeley for more information (http://bigideas.berkeley.edu; 210 McLaughlin Hall #1726; 510/643-5319).