Community Service

To view the Community Service Guidelines, and see a list of approved Community Partners, please click here.

To access the online submission form for Community Service, please click here.

To view or print the Community Service Verification Form, please click here.

Purpose

Community service has its roots deeply embedded in the foundation of Alvernia University and is central to the mission of our Catholic, Franciscan institution. Service provides students the opportunity to use their gifts and talents to help those in need and to support local non‐profit organizations. Additionally, community service is an integral part of students’ learning experiences, contributing to their intellectual, social, and spiritual growth and development and providing a framework for students’ roles as members of both local, regional and global communities.

Holleran Center Sponsored Opportunities

Zoo Activities with the Bar Association

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013
Place: Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, PA. Transportation will be provided; meet at Alvernia at 9:00 AM.
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Flexible Hours)
Service: Assist with children’s activities, including nature crafts, owl pellets, animal scavenger Hunt, and more. Admission into the Zoo is provided for all Volunteers. Lunch is provided. Enjoy seeing the Zoo animals and watching the wolf and penguin feedings as part of the event

Contact: Alicia Sprow (alicia.sprow@alvernia.edu or 610-790-2883)

St. Francis Day of Service

Saturday, September 28, 2013
9:00am-3:00pm
Kutztown's Potato Project!

More information to follow!

Community Partner Opportunities

One Time Service Opportunities

GoggleWorks, 201 Washington St., Reading, PA 19605

Dates: Saturdays, May 25, 2013
Times: 2:30 -3:30 PM; 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Service: Theater Assistant

Dates: Friday, May 24; Saturday; May 25; Sunday, May 26; Monday, May 27, 2013
Place: Allentown Mayfair Festival of Arts Memorial Weekend
Time: Between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM Each Day (Flexible Hours)
Service: Assist with distributing marketing materials about memberships, classes, exhibits, camps, and programs at GoggleWorks

Dates: Tuesday, June 4 and/or Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Place: Reading Hospital Garden Party
Time: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Flexible Hours)
Service: Assist with “Make & Take” crafts for children, and handing out marketing materials about GoggleWorks memberships, classes, exhibits, camps, and programs

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2013
Place: “Art on the Avenue,” West Reading, PA
Service: Assist with “Make & Take” crafts for children, and handing out marketing materials about GoggleWorks memberships, classes, exhibits, camps, and programs

Service: SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANTS to help work with campers in classes during the following weeks:
Dates & Times: June 24 to 28 - Kids “Fantasy” Camp Week - 9 to Noon                                               
                               Graphic Design Week  -  9 to Noon
               July 8 to 12 - Kids Art Camp Week  -  9 to Noon and/or 1 to 4
                              Fused Glass Camp Week  -  1 to 4
               July 15 to 19 - Woodworking Camp Week  -  9 to Noon
               July 22 to 26 - Kids Art Camp Week  -  9 to Noon
                               Kids “Universe” Camp Week  -  1 to 4
                               A.M. Art/Afternoons at Body Zone  -  9 to 4
                               Jewelry & Flame Work Camp Week  -  1 to 4
               July 29 to Aug. 2 - Kids “Environment” Camp Week  -  9 to Noon
                                   A.M. Art/Afternoons at YMCA Camp  -  9 to 4
                                   Painting & Drawing  -  9 to Noon
                                   Printmaking  -  1 to 4
               Aug. 5 to 9 - Kids Art Camp Week  -  9 to Noon
                             Kids “World of Color” Camp Week  -  9 to Noon
                             Photography Camp Week  -  9 to Noon
               Aug. 12 to 16 - A.M. Art/Afternoons at YMCA Camp  -  9 to 4

Contact: If you are available for any of the above opportunities, please contact Cindy Boscov (volunteer@goggleworks.org or 610-374-4600)

Reading Public Library

Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013
Place: Main Library Location, 100 S. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19602
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Service: “Summer Reading Program Kickoff”. Assist with setting up games and crafts for children, either work a game booth, do a craft with a child, or serve refreshments to patrons. Assist with clean up at the end of the event
Contact: Kate Thornton (katethornton22@gmail.com or 610-233-5972)

Reading Kids Triathlon

Date: Saturday, June 29, 2013
Place: Schlegel Park, N. Carroll St., Reading, PA 19611
Time: TBD
Service: Assist with the planning process for the event and/or assist the kids ages 7-15 on race day.  Activities will consist of swimming, cycling, and running using the Park Pool and the Schuylkill River Trail
Contact: Jason Hugg (Jason@ftyswim.com or 610-952-7807)

Berks Arts Council

Dates: Fridays, July 12, 19, 26, 2013
          Friday, August 2, 2013
Place: Bandshell,
Time: 5:30 – 9:30 PM
Service: Assist with the 23rd Annual Bandshell Concert Series; the Bandshell Concerts present various artists and genres of music not usually presented in Reading or Berks County.  Community Service Volunteers are needed to assist the BAC staff at these events.
Contact: Gary Spencer (spencer@berksarts.org or 610-898-1930, Ext. 24)

Ongoing Service Opportunities

Middle Creek Search and Rescue

Date: Ongoing
Service: Assist with Rescue Dog Training
Contact: For more information, please contact Kathy Gertler (Kathygertler@yahoo.com)

Life Choice Hospice

Date: Ongoing
Place: Service is provided in Berks, Schuylkill and Lehigh Valley areas
Time: Flexible, Summer Hours
Service: Volunteers provide additional time and companionship to hospice patients in the service areas.  As little as one hour a week is helpful and arrangements can be customized to accommodate each volunteer’s personal schedule.  Training is provided to make sure each volunteer is given the instruction needed to guarantee a
positive experience.  Have the opportunity to touch someone’s life and gain experience for job resumes!

Contact: Stacy Perlaki (SPerlaki@lifechoicehospice.com or 1-800-557-7570)

Berks Encore

Date: Ongoing
Place: 40 N. Ninth Street, Reading, PA 19601
Time: Flexible, Summer Hours
Service: Tutor senior citizens in basic computer lessons, such as introduction to the internet, email, facebook, etc.  All the necessary equipment is available at the center. There is a fabulous computer lab, set-up with 5 laptops.

Contact: Emily Garb (EGarb@BerksEncore.org or 610-374-3195, Ext. 225)

Date: Ongoing
Place: Fleetwood Senior Center
Time: Flexible, Summer Hours
Service: Tutor senior citizens in basic computer skills.  All of the necessary equipment is available at the center.

Contact: Lisa Lorah (llorah@berksencore.org or 610-944-9242)

Permacultivate, Reading, PA

Date: Ongoing - Saturdays
Place: Reading Roots Urban Farm and Learning Center - City Park Greenhouse, Hill Rd. and Constitution Way, Reading
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Service: Assist with planting seeds, shifting compost from vermiculture bins, harvesting produce, sweeping, washing plant pots, and other duties.  There is an outdoor site next to the greenhouse where volunteers may sometimes have the opportunity to work outside, planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting.

Contact: Sarah Jacobson (volunteer@permacultivate.org)

Polish-American Cultural Center, Reading, PA

Date: Ongoing – Saturdays and Sundays
Place: Goggleworks, Studio 509, 103 N. 3rd St., Reading, PA 19601
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Service: The Mission of the Polish-American Cultural Center is to foster and preserve the history and heritage of the Berks County Polish-American community and, in conjunction with other organizations, to promote and to share public awareness and appreciation of our Polish heritage through cultural, educational and social activities.

Contact: Dorothy Gajewski (610-777-3563 or busha21@verizon.net) or Marilyn Wlazewski (610-779-5523 or marilynwlaa@aol.com)

Shady Hollow Assisted Riding Academy, Birdsboro, PA

Description: Shady Hollow provides a supported equine environment where individuals with physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities can experience therapeutic, social and education rewards through riding lessons.  This facility is approved by the PA Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship and features a 90+ acre farm with a sheltered arena for year round riding, wheelchair ramp and transfer platform for mounting trails.  Training is provided.  After the training class, volunteers help prepare the horses for lessons and then will either walk beside or lead the horse as the students ride.  No prior experience is necessary.
Website: Programs for both able body and special needs riders can be found at www.hugahorse.com
Times: Day, evening and weekend opportunities are available

Contact: volunteer@hugahorse.com or call 610-582-4050

Berks County Family Center

Date: Ongoing
Place: BCFC, 1243 County Welfare Rd., Leesport, PA 19533
Service: Immediate needs are:

1) Draw and/or Paint Murals on Walls – The BCFC is relocating across the street, and would like to “change the look” before they move in.  BCFC has some ideas but open to volunteers’ suggestions as well.  Looking for volunteers that like to draw, paint or do “mosaic tile” murals in the hallways.  Days and times are flexible—morning, afternoon or early evenings.
2) English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher – Volunteers are needed to teach beginning and intermediate English to adults from a variety of countries and educational backgrounds.  Most of the adults speak Spanish as their first language.  ESL class is approximately 1 hour, and there is some flexibility in the time of day that it can be offered.
3) Work with Children – Sing songs; play instruments; arts & crafts; play games; read stories; dramatic play; play sports.
4) Work with Adults – Begin a book club; teach residents a skill such as sewing, needlepoint, crocheting or computers; teach a trade; play sports.
5) Conduct Demonstrations (a skill, sport, animal training, martial arts, etc.).
6) Conduct Performances (instrumental, choral, dramatic, etc.).
7) Increase your own proficiency in a foreign language by spending time engaged with the residents.

Contact: Rev. David Ludwig (610-396-0310 Ext. 2380 or dludwig@countyofberks.com)

Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, 1110 Snyder Rd., West Lawn, PA

Date: Ongoing - Sundays
Times: Two Shifts:  8:30-10:30 AM – 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Service: Be a one-on-one “buddy” to a student with special needs during the children’s/youth services (while parents attend the adult church service).  Children needing buddies range from preschool age to 12th grade.
Contact: Christine Kreisher (610-678-0266 or christinekreisher@gtaog.org)

For questions about any of the above opportunities, please contact the person listed or contact Judy Bohler, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Holleran Center for Community Engagement at 610-796-5509 or judy.bohler@alvernia.edu