Volunteer activities
Many volunteer positions, some for credit, are available through such programs as the California Alumni Association, CalPIRG, KALX, Recreational Sports, Student Health Workers, Student Learning Center Peer Advising, and SUPERB. (Contact each department for information.) Also check here for information on tutoring for credit.
Cal Corps Public Service Center
Cal Corps is the campus center for student leadership development, civic engagement, and community service. The center offers a number of programs and resources including a volunteer opportunities database; internship opportunities; a service and leadership library; more than 40 student groups working in diverse service areas; postgraduate advice on programs such as the Peace Corps (see here); opportunities to serve as a volunteer or work-study tutor; a variety of leadership and social issue training opportunities; and an electronic newsletter of upcoming public service and leadership development opportunities. Cal Corps provides service-learning opportunities and gives grants (up to $1,000) to student groups who do off-campus service (calcorps.berkeley.edu; 505 Eshleman Hall; ccorps@berkeley.edu; 510/642-3916).
The Berkeley Project is an annual one-day service event in late October/early November that engages over 1000 Cal students in direct community service. The Berkeley Project works with local non-profits, City of Berkeley departments, and Berkeley Unified Schools to develop projects that 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 semseter, 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 also recruits students during the spring of each year to lead projects the following academic year (calcorps.berkeley.edu; altbreaks@berkeley.edu).
Campus AmeriCorps programs are housed at Cal Corps Public Service Center. They include the following three programs:
Destination: College places Cal students in local schools and community centers to help low-income, first generation students get ready for college; monthly stipends are available and educational awards are given to all participants who complete the program (destinationcollege.berkeley.edu).
The Bonner Leaders Program works with student leaders to advance service and leadership development on- and off-campus. Bonner Leaders lead their own programs based out of Cal Corps (such as Alternative Breaks, Cal in Berkeley, and Cal in the Capital), or based in local non-profits and schools (such as Coaching Corps, Le Conte Elementary, and the Willard Youth Support Program).
Students in Service: Graduate AmeriCorps Internship Network (SIS: GAIN) partners with UCB's School of Social Welfare and Cal Corps to support graduate students at their internships. GAIN members are selected each year based on financial need and serve in local schools, clinics, hospitals, and community agencies. Members of all programs receive a year-end educational award, participate in days of service, and ongoing leadership development training.
The First Year Service Experience (FSE) is for first-year Cal students interested in learning how to be engaged in the local Berkeley community. The semester-long program helps first-years explore personal motivations for engaging in service, and equips them with project leadership skills. Participants meet with local community leaders, engage in service projects, and design their own service project while discussing current social issues affecting Berkeley with their peers. Participants also receive personal advising sessions with the FSE student coordinator (calcorps.berkeley.edu; 505 Eshleman Hall; ccorps@berkeley.edu; 510/642-3916).
Cal Camp
A tradition that dates back to the 1930s, this all-student volunteer ASUC organization trains students as camp counselors to encourage children to build positive self-images at a nonprofit, one-week summer camp for socially and economically disadvantaged inner-city children between the ages of 7-11. If you would like to be a camp counselor, contact Cal Camp or stop by the office (406 Eshleman Hall; Lavonia Wade, 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, serve as companions to patients at the Napa State Mental Hospital, and assist high-achieving minority seniors 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: Youth Mentor Program, English in Action, Racial Justice Programs, and the Student Volunteer Board. In addition, the YWCA offers community volunteer opportunities with 50 East Bay nonprofit community agencies and schools, such as working with Children's Hospital, Berkeley School Volunteers, Planned Parenthood, Asian Health Services, Legal Assistance for Seniors, and many more.
The Racial Justice Program advocates racial justice and equality by providing education opportunities to at-risk youth with the help of Cal student volunteers. Volunteer placements include Teens Teaching Tolerance, the Pre-Kindergarten Enrichment Program, the Advisory Board Internship, and the TechGYRLS mentoring program.
The Youth Mentor Program matches Cal students with at-risk junior high 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, attending 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!
Students are also recruited to plan and present during the annual Week Without Violence in October and Shadow Day for high school students in April. In addition, students can work with the YWCA to design other volunteer opportunities (ywca-berkeley.org; 2600 Bancroft Way; info@ywca-berkeley.org; 510/848-6370).