EXPLORE MILWAUKEE AND BEYOND

Volunteer with campus and community organizations

Getting connected to and improving your community is a great way to build a network, develop leadership skills, and leave your mark on Milwaukee and UWM. The Center for Volunteerism and Student Leadership [http://www4.uwm.edu/cvsl/], located on the ground floor of the Union, is your best resource to seek out opportunities to volunteer for an hour, a day, or a more sustained commitment.

o Volunteers can mentor or tutor children two hours a week through one of the following programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters [http://www4.uwm.edu/cvsl/programs/bigbrothersbigsisters.cfm] , the United Community Center, Our Next Generation, & Word of Hope Mentoring Children of Prisoners as well as the America Reads Work Study Program [http://www4.uwm.edu/cvsl/programs/americareads.cfm]. Mentors put hope in a child's future by putting a friend in a child's life. Some of these programs take place on the UWM campus while transportation is provided for most others. Activities are defined by the child and the site coordinator, and might include tutoring and social/recreational activities. Since most of these programs are located at a school, volunteers and their "littles" or “mentees” may have access to computer labs, gyms, libraries, and cafeterias.

o The Center for Volunteerism and Student Leadership holds an annual Random Act of Kindness “RAK”-athon event around the city of Milwaukee each fall. Contact CVSL for more information!

o Think about donating a few hours to our local Hope House Food Pantry [http://www.hopehousemke.org/]. UWM students, faculty and staff volunteer at the food pantry on a regular basis.

o The Adventure Center and CVSL host alternative Spring Break, allowing students to travel to a different part of the country to learn about various topics, experience a different part of the country, and lend a hand. Stop by CVSL or the Adventure Center to Learn More.