Volunteer Opportunities

Please note that these sites are only intended to give you an idea of the opportunities available. It is up to you to research each organization and find the one that is best for you. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance to you on your quest.

* Where marked with anasterisk proficiency in Spanish is required with few exceptions

Alaska State Parks Volunteer Program If you enjoy helping people, sharing your skills and talents, and spending time in the outdoors, then Alaska state parks has a place for you!

Americorps Comprehensive index of various service opportunities.

Amigos De Las Americas Promotes community health and facilitates cross cultural understanding for the people of the Americas. Service is primarily abroad.

ArtCorps
Volunteer artists work in developing country to help deliver their message on health, protection of the environment, sustainable agriculture, etc. Stipend provided for airfare and supplies.

Boys Hope Girls Hope Help children who are at risk yet, academically capable, realize their potential by providing value-centered, family-like homes, and quality education through college.*

Camphill Experience the satisfaction of contributing your service to a caring community in the UK.

Casa de Esperanza Volunteers from all parts of the world with different backgrounds devote their time to live and work with the children in the Houston area.

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging Responsibilities may include teaching, translating (Spanish-English), childcare, healthcare, or parish work. Volunteers primarily serve in Central and South America and in India.

City Year Unites young adults from diverse backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time community service.

Claretian Lay Volunteer Ministries From a diversity of faiths and backgrounds, volunteers minister with creativity and flexibility to varied populations with an emphasis on serving and empowering the poor and oppressed.*

Concern America Seeks volunteers who offer abilities or a degree/experience in public health, medicine, nutrition, nursing, agriculture, community development, education, or appropriate technology.

Cross Cultural Solutions Each volunteer contributes to sustained social development through fostering cultural understanding, creating self sufficiency, and empowerment of people in India and Africa.

Eckard Youth Alternatives A leader in early intervention, wilderness camp, and juvenile justice programs for troubled and at-risk children. Volunteers commit themselves as AmeriCorps participants who engage in conflict-resolution skills training, after school activities, and family outreach initiatives.

Eirene
Germany's ecumenical international peace and development service organization: volunteers work in a variety of projects in many countries helping to build solidarity, provide relief, and establish just systems and structures in the third world countries. Commitments are two years.

Explorations in Travel Immerse yourself in a different culture, practice and improve your foreign language skills, meet people of various walks of life. Explorations in Travel arranges volunteer placements under supervision of established conservation reserve, school, private business or service agency. Application fees apply.

Frontiers Foundation Canadian based organization which sponsors education and construction development projects in the western hemisphere. Current work areas range from Haiti and Bolivia to various regions in Canada.

Good Shepherd Volunteers Christian volunteers work in direct service with the poor, particularly with adolescents and families. Opportunities are available in major north eastern cities.*

Habitat for Humanity
Through AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity volunteers can work on low income housing construction projects in any of the 50 U.S. states while receiving living stipends and educational grants.

Happy Horizons Children's Ranch [link to http://www.hhcr.org/]
Volunteers aid in the efforts of rehabilitation and defense of street children in the Philippines. On HappyHorizon's Web site, scroll down to "Volunteer" to obtain information.

Inner City Teaching Corps A two year volunteer service program utilizing outstanding college grads to energize inner city Catholic elementary schools in Chicago.*

International Medical Volunteer Association Provides information about dozens of organizations that require medical or medical support personnel to help carry out their humanitarian missions. Volunteers are a varied group and include doctors, nurses, therapists, students, technicians, religious missionaries, and other dedicated persons with non-medical training.

International Volunteer Program Association IVPA is an alliance of nonprofit, non-governmental organizations based in the Americas, that are involved in international volunteer and internship exchanges. IVPA encourages excellence and responsibility in the field of international volunteerism and promotes public awareness of and greater access to international volunteer programs. IVPA offers a forum for international volunteer program representatives (staff, board members, etc.) to share information and resources, develop new skills, and collaborate on cost-saving initiatives.

Jesuit Volunteer Corps
The largest Catholic lay volunteer program in the country, Jesuit volunteers serve the homeless, unemployed, refugees, people with aids, elderly, street youth, abused women and children, mentally ill, and developmentally disabled. Placements available across the nation and around the globe.

KNOM An Alaskan radio station. Volunteers work in a variety of on-air positions and news reporting. Travel, training, and living expenses are covered. Community living.

Lasallian Volunteers Volunteers serve in areas of education and related human development services. Limited international opportunities available.*

Mercy Corps Invites men and women to join with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in giving service to the poor, sick, and uneducated.*

Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Qualified volunteers help raise and educate over 550 children who come from difficult backgrounds. Operating houses in Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua and Honduras.

Paraclete Center Neighborhood based educational enrichment program for youth serving in an inner city environment.*

Passionist Lay Missioners One to two year programs designed to allow men and women an opportunity to integrate full-time service with the poor, community living, faith, reflection, and social action.

Peace Brigades International Implement nonviolent approaches to peacekeeping in areas of violent conflict and repression. They offer unarmed protective accompaniment to individuals, organizations and communities threatened with violence and human rights abuses.

Peace Corps Official home page. Numerous opportunities exist in a variety of service positions around the globe.

Red Cloud Volunteers Volunteers teach Sioux Indian children how to read and write. Potential volunteers with college degree and an adventurous spirit are a plus. Application (PDF/170KB)

Catholic Network of Volunteer Service Directory of Catholic volunteer service opportunities.

Service Civil International Volunteer for a year overseas engaging in a work camp. Work camps fall under two main categories social: working with children, elderly, special needs, or art-related projects, and physical: construction, housing repair, and maintenance.

Simon Community of Ireland Volunteers work with the homeless in Ireland providing various outreach services; nightly soup-runs, establishing emergency shelters and long-stay residential houses, and other projects.

Student Partnership Worldwide Runs school-based and environmental grass-roots development programs in Africa and Asia. Some social development programs available.

United Children's Fund Inc. Volunteers teach in Uganda's local schools assisting teachers and caring for the disabled children while in the classroom, or helping them to and from school. Teaching experience is not required.

Visions in Action International nonprofit organization offering volunteer positions in five African countries and Mexico. Positions needed are in health care and housing, small business, youth and children, scientific research, social science research, journalism, and democratization.

Volunteers in Asia Volunteers teach English at colleges and universities in Indonesia, China, Vietnam, or Laos.

Volunteer Vacations Hands-on service -- in your own community or across the globe -- can be a very satisfying experience. Traveling as a volunteer -- on a "volunteer vacation" -- with Global Volunteers departs from conventional adventure travel and cultural immersion experiences in one very important way. The purpose of "service-learning" travel is foremost to serve, and thereby, to learn first-hand about the host community and its people. It is not simply an alternative to a standard vacation, but an opportunity to use your skills and interests in an unconventional setting to benefit others

VSO The largest independent volunteer sending charity in the world has sent over 27,000 volunteers to work in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Eastern Europe since 1958. Numerous types of opportunities and positions are available.

World Teach Spend a year overseas providing valuable service, experiencing life in another culture while participating in international development.

World Wide Volunteering The WWV database enables volunteers to build an on-screen profile of their ideal volunteer placement which is then matched against the requirements of over 1400 organizations with more than 1,000,000 placements each year throughout the world.

The mentoring program matches Saint Anselm College volunteers one-on-one with a child, teen, senior, or other person who is in need of companionship in the greater Manchester area. This is a great opportunity to truly connect with a child or individual and become a positive role model and source of support in their life. This program is for committed individuals who are able to devote two hours per week for the entire academic year. We offer this program at three agencies in greater Manchester.

Mentoring Coordinator

• Jenna Levesque: jlevesque@anselm.edu

Greater Manchester Big Brother/Big Sister
On-site mentors are trained and supported by Big Brother/Big Sisters and commit for an academic year to spend time each week with their match at the site itself. Mentors do not have contact with their match outside of the site.

YWCA
The YWCA offers an after-school program for girls ages 6-13, which provides them with a safe place to go to during the hours when their parents are still at work. These girls need strong female role models in their lives. They need people who care and people they can count on.

Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Child Care
The VNA is a great place to help make a positive impact on a child's life. Volunteers are placed with a child who needs a strong role model, a friend, and someone who cares. Ages range from toddlers to school-age children. Hours are available throughout the day.

Youth Development Center (YDC)
The YDC is a secure facility for delinquent youths of New Hampshire and is a community collaboration focused on helping youth reach their potential. Role models are needed to help teens to experience meaningful and supportive connections with the community.

Community Mentoring through the Meelia Center or Big Brothers/Big Sisters
The Meelia Center provides opportunities for students to mentor in the community, both in response to calls that come directly into the Meelia Center and through Big Brother/Big Sisters community based program. The Meelia Center mentoring coordinator provides ongoing support and campus resources to support the match.

Volunteers interested in serving at a site that is not a Meelia Center Community Partner will be put in contact with the affiliates coordinators who manage placement and provide support. Students placed at affiliate sites are asked to keep us posted of any issues that arise, since there is no on-site coordinator to catch things early. The affiliates coordinators provide on-going support and are available to problem solve or plan programs as needed.

Managed Affiliate Agencies

• Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center

Non-profit organization dedicated to improving the physical, emotional, and psychological development of challenged children and adults through horse riding therapies. Volunteers form relationships with clients through their role as side-walkers or front-walker. Assistance caring for the horses is also needed.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu

• VNA Parent Baby Adventure

Provider of support to young parents with newborns through school age children. The group utilizes modeling, education, and support to assist parents. Volunteers are needed to work with the children while mothers receive support. Students serve as role models through active involvement with the children, including reading books and preparing healthy snacks.
Contact: Jess Serio: jserio@anselm.edu

• New Hampshire Probation and Parole

Shadow a probation officer in the office and in the community. May involve going to court. Great site for criminal justice majors and those interested in human services.
Contact: Kennan MacArthur: kmacarthur@anselm.edu

• Pinehaven Boys Center

Group home for abused and neglected boys ages 8-14. On-site school and group residences provide a range of service opportunities. Day, evening, and weekend hours are available.
Contact: Jill Sands: jsands@anselm.edu

• Manchester City Welfare Office

Volunteers and service-learners assist in busy emergency assistance department, and shadow caseworkers.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu

• Manchester Mental Health

Volunteers and service-learners assist with activities at the group residences and provide one-on-one mentoring for children and adults coping with chronic mental illness.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu  

• Manchester/Nashua Police Athletic Leagues

Athletic programming for at-risk youth that includes boxing, self-defense, basketball, and floor hockey.
Contact: Kennan MacArthur: kmacarthur@anselm.edu

• Memorial High School

Volunteers assist in resource room.
Contact: Chloe Kealey: ckealey@anselm.edu

• Town of Goffstown / City of Manchester

New service opportunities working with city and town administrators on special projects and administrative and research support work.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu  

• Manchester Catholic Diocese / Catholic Charities

Volunteers may work with the Catholic Charities immigration and refugee services to assist new arrivals. Volunteers may also work with the Diocese's efforts to research, educate, and advocate for issues that concern the poor and vulnerable. The Diocesan office is in Manchester.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu  

Other Affiliate Agencies

In addition to the managed Affiliate Agencies the Meelia Center also sends volunteers to a number of other local non-profit service agencies. While the Meelia Center may have an on going relationship with these additional affiliates, the number of volunteers each semester tends to be small, and therefore they are not as closely managed. If you choose one of these affiliates please keep in close contact with the Meelia Center to ensure your experience is a positive one.

• Manchester Office of Youth Services

The city youth service office is centralizing information of all youth services and youth leadership opportunities in the Greater Manchester area. This information will then be posted on a new easy access Web page. Volunteers are needed to meet with and interview various programs to capture their services for inclusion on the Web.

• Campus Compact for New Hampshire

Coalition of New Hampshire college and university presidents to promote volunteer service, service-learning, and civic engagement. Volunteers needed for project to revise and enhance Web page to allow for student contact between campuses.

• Saint Anselm College Multicultural Center and Meelia Center

Busy student services offices need assistance adding content to their Web pages to expand resources available for students and student leaders. Also assist in developing more effective information and operating systems.

• Manchester/Goffstown Public Schools

Work with K-12 students in various Manchester or Goffstown public schools. Volunteers may assist as tutor, a classroom aide, in English Language Learner (ELL) classrooms, and/or with special needs students.
Contact: Chloe Kealey ckealey@anselm.edu

For our community partnerships, the Meelia Center assigns a student on site coordinator to manage the placement and support of volunteers. The coordinator acts as the liaison between the center and the agency, helping to ensure a quality volunteer experience.

• B.R.I.N.G. I.T.

This site helps refugee families integrate into the school and the larger community through adult ESOL classes and activities for their kids.
Contact: Shelbie Tibbetts stibbetts@anselm.edu

• Child and Family Services

Here volunteers work in the Teen Services Program. It is one of the more challenging placements and can be a very rewarding and eye opening experience. Volunteer roles include working with runaway and homeless youth and going out with the street outreach team, or working in the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program.
Contact: Kerry White kewhite@anselm.edu

• English for New Americans

Program is designed to help refugees and immigrants learn English and adjust to a new culture and environment. English classes for adults are offered Monday through Thursday, in the morning and at night. Additional support includes computer and civic literacy and cultural adjustment activities. Volunteers provide classroom support, tutor ESOL students individually, or participate in monthly conversation cafes and campus/community outings.
Contact:  meeliacenter@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/22KB)

• Girls Incorporated 

Girls Inc. is an after-school program that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, The program targets economically disadvantaged and at-risk girls ages 5-17, and is located near the college. Girls Inc. provides a supportive environment that fosters confidence, skill-building, and social awareness. The program utilizes more than 20 Saint Anselm volunteers each week. Hours are after school Monday-Friday.
Contact: Paige McGowan pmcgowan@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/22KB)

• Head Start and Early Head Start

Volunteers serve as classroom aides in this pre-school and daycare program for low-income children. They assist teachers with activities and establish helpful relationships with the kids ages 0-5. Volunteers may also choose to work with high-risk children. There are three Head Start centers in Manchester. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Contact: Alie Lawrence alawrence@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/23KB)

• Manchester Elementary Schools

Opportunities for working with students in grades K-5. Volunteers assist in classroom activities, lead small groups, or tutor one-on-one. Service often occurs in English Langauge Learning classes (ELL) and special education classes.  Volunteers also participate in occasional programs such as story time, art projects, field trips, Pen Pals, among others. Hours: Monday-Friday 8-3.
Contact: Chloe Kealey ckealey@anselm.edu

• Hillsborough County Department of Corrections

The DOC is a house of correction and county jail for adult male and female inmates. The department offers a variety of educational and rehabilitation programs that utilize volunteers. Volunteers work with inmates in a classroom environment, tutor individuals in English and Spanish, prepare others in the GED program, and work in the law library.
Contact: Kennan MacArthur kmacarthur@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/22KB)

• Hillsborough County Nursing Home (HCNH)

HCNH is a public nursing home where volunteers can be matched one-on-one with residents in the activities department or the Alzheimer's unit. Some volunteers support seniors with access to computers and the internet. Hours: Daytime hours Monday-Friday
Contact: Lyndsay Davis ldavis@anselm.edu

• Kids' Cafe

Kids' Cafe is a soup kitchen for children run by the Salvation Army. Volunteers help serve the children dinner and participate in after-dinner activities including sports, arts and crafts, and academics. Hours: Monday-Thursday evenings 5:30-8:30. Tutoring center needs volunteers Monday-Friday, 4-5:30.
Contact: Shannon Breen sbreen@anselm.edu

• Manchester Adult Learning Center

Adult ESOL classes for various levels of English language instruction for immigrants and refugees. Hours: Monday- Friday 9 a.m.-noon and Monday-Thursday 6-8 p.m.
Contact: Meelia Center meeliacenter@anselm.edu

• Manchester Developmental Preschool and Wilson Elementary

Volunteers in the developmental preschool assist in classes with young children who have autism, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disorders. The Wilson school is an inner city K-4 school with a very diverse student body. Volunteers work with individual students and with small groups.
Contact: Alie Lawrence alawrence@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/23KB)

• Moore Center

Agency serves adults with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injury. Volunteers assist in the development of life skills classes for clients, as well as facilitate social interactions among their clients. One-on-one tutoring is also available.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu  

• Southside Middle School

Volunteers at this site have the opportunity to help students in special education classrooms or in ESL classroom. These talented middle schoolers need extra encouragement and attention and the teachers are eager for volunteers to help meet individual student needs.
Contact: Chloe Kealey ckealey@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/22KB)

• Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Childcare Center

The VNA Childcare Center in Manchester specifically targets children in low-income families. Volunteers serve in classrooms for children of all ages or become a Big Brother/Big Sister for a child in need of extra attention. Hours: Weekdays from 8:30-5:30
Contact: Jess Serio at jserio@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/23KB)

• Youth Development Center (YDC)

The YDC is a secure facility for juvenile offenders in New Hampshire. Volunteers can participate in the tutoring program, jogging club, special events, and Big Brother/Big Sister programs on the newly renovated YDC campus. Volunteer hours vary.
Contact: meeliacenter@anselm.edu | Directions (Word/23KB)

• Meelia Center Special Programs

These Meelia Center initiatives as managed by student coordinators and involve many of the Meelia Center's community partners.

• Digital Divide

Program works one-on-one with area elderly in nursing homes or in individual apartments, after-school programs, and elementary school classrooms. Volunteers teach basic computer and internet skills and help senior citizens gain access to information they need.
Contact: Sarah Haigh at shaigh@anselm.edu

• Mentoring

The mentoring program is a one-on-one match with a school age child. This is a wonderful opportunity to truly connect with a child and to become a positive role model in their lives. There is a minimum commitment of two hours per week for at least one year. Hours vary. Most mentors are placed through Big Brothers/Big Sisters at one of four site-based mentoring programs. Community matches are also supported through the mentoring coordinator and the director.
Contact: Jenna Levesque jlevesque@anselm.edu

• America Reads

Part of a national initiative to match trained literacy tutors with students in grades K-6. Saint Anselm tutors support math and reading at a local elementary schools and several after-school programs. Additional training and support is provided primarily by professional staff at the schools.
Contact Rachel Pedro: rpedro@anselm.edu