“I used a lot of the research and writing techniques I learned in my philosophy and media studies classes. Now that I know I can do something as large as this project, I have a new sense of confidence.”
Andrew Baker, Communication Studies
Service Learning Directory
| Important Information | Fequently Asked Questions | Projects |
| Political Parties | Additional Opportunities |
| DIRECTORY OF SERVICE-LEARNING SITES | ||
| Important
Information for Students: Service-learning means a method under which students learn and develop through thoughtfully organized service that: is conducted in and meets the needs of a community and is coordinated with an institution of higher education and with the community; helps foster civic responsibility; is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students enrolled; and includes structured time for students to reflect on the service experience. American Association for Higher Education (AAHE): Series on Service-Learning in the Disciplines |
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| Frequently Asked Questions: | ||
| Q.
Can I pick a site that is not listed in this directory? A. Yes, this list is a sample of community service opportunities tailored to meet the needs of a service-learning curriculum. Students can choose organizations other than those listed here pending approval by his or her professor. Check first to see what criteria your professor uses (ex. Appropriate supervision, length of volunteer position, etc…) Additional community service contacts can be found at http://www.colby-sawyer.edu/campus-life/career/comm_service/learning.html |
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| Q.
When do I have to start? A. ASAP. It usually takes at least a week to make the contact, set up a meeting, and agree to responsibilities and a schedule. Not to mention going through any required orientation sessions. |
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| Q.
How long do I have to commit to this site? A. That depends on two things: Your professor and the site requirements. After you find out what length of commitment is required by your professor, discuss your schedule with the site supervisor. The supervisor will let you know if there is a minimum requirement or if you can simply choose a start and finish date. Either way, agree on your commitment at the beginning of your service and stick to it! |
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| Q.
What if I can't get anyone to call me back? A. Let someone help you. Your classroom leader and/or professor will help put you in touch with the site supervisor. Be prepared though! You will be asked when and how you tried to contact the site, if you left more than one message, and if you left your name, telephone number and the reason you were calling. *Please let us know if you discover incorrect phone numbers or contact information. |
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| Q.
What do I say when I call these places? A. That's easy: tell them who you are and why you're calling. Ex: "Hi, CONTACT, My name is STUDENT and I'm calling from Colby-Sawyer College. I'm interested in volunteering with your organization. I heard about you from our community service office. What do I need to do to get started?" |
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| Q.
Will my site supervisor know that I'm doing this for a service-learning
project? A. Not unless you tell them, and it will not change your responsibilities. Sites will have volunteers from all walks of life. You will just be an adult volunteer who happens to be a student. It's important that you explain how often and for how long you are available. Most of the organizations listed don't work on a semester schedule like we do. |
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| PROJECTS & CONTACT INFORMATION | ||
| After School Buddy Program | Claremont 21 C Program | Clough Center |
| Computer Coach | Habitat for Humanity | Headstart |
| Literacy Leaders | Mentor Program | Orion House |
| Upper Valley Humane Society | Woodcrest | The ZONE |
| After
School Buddy Program What we do: A safe, friendly opportunity for group mentoring. Students from Colby-Sawyer volunteer to host up to 40 elementary school students and engage in recreational, social and educational activities. The goal of the program is to increase team building skills, respect for others and problem solving tools for the students. Children are identified by teachers or guidance counselors and recommended for the program. Each week a different activity is planned by a volunteer. How you can help: Actively participate in games, team building, and conflict resolution skill building. Wednesday afternoons 2:30 - 4:00. Contact: Leah Salach, Americorps Buddy Program Supervisor Harrington Center for Career Development & Community Service 1541 Main Street New London, NH 03257 Leah Salach Special Info: Each group meets approximately 10 times a semester. CSC students must commit to 9 out of 10 sessions. Orientation Required. |
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| Claremont
21 C Program What we do: The 21C grant enables schools to stay open longer, providing a safe place for homeowork, enrichment, recreation, arts and technical education for all children and youth in the community. High quality after-school programs empower students and improve lives. How you can help: What's your talent? Photography, painting murals, dance, juggling, cooking, love of the outdoors? Share it! Bring your enthusiasm and create workshops to share information with high school students. Your program will be advertised & students will sign up to learn more. Contact: Kat Martin, Program Coordinator Stevens High School, Broad Street Claremont, NH 03743 Ph. 542-0275 E-mail: kmartin@claremont.k12.nh.us |
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| Clough
Center What we do: A non-profit, hospital based nursing home serving the frail and elderly. "Our goal is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment." Services include physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapies. How you can help: Participate in programs and activities designed to keep residents mentally and physically active, including a mobility program, restorative nursing program, intergenerational programs, pet therapy, or be a companion. For any student who is interested in the elderly, and is comfortable conversing and encouraging individuals to reminisce. Contact: Cara Chase, Activity Director 270 County Road (Behind Colonial Pharmacy) New London, NH 03257 Ph. 526-5562 Fx. 526-5125 Clough Center Homepage |
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| Computer
Coach What we do: Newport and Sunapee schools hope to allow students access to computer labs and other resources outside of traditional school hours. The students taking advantage of these resources often have no other means of accessing computers. How you can help: Staff the computer lab. Act as a monitor and assistant for students wishing to use the facility outside traditional school hours, respond to questions regarding homework, word processing and spreadsheets, research, etc… Pick a day: M-Th 2:30 - 4:10. Contact: Kathryn Hanson, Information Technology Instructor Newport Middle High School, 268 North Main St OR Sunapee Middle High Newport, NH 03773 Ph. 863-2414 Fx. 863-0887 E-mail: khanson@newport.k12.nh.us |
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What we do: The Keasarge Area Habitat for Humanity Chapter serves seven communities around the New London area. We provide both repair of existing housing problems and also full house construction for those families in need of such help. To date, we have built 12 houses and have assisted with repairs of over 150 homes. How you can help: Habitat builds and repairs housing for families in need of such help. Starting the spring of 2003 we will be built a house in Newbury for a family of six. All volunteers will assist in the building of houses. Students don't need to be experienced with woodworking, just motivated to help those who are less fortunate. Contact: Bud Major, 155 County Road, New London, NH 03257 603-526-8464 or 526-9626 *Great training for Alternative Spring Break Candidates!! |
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| Head
Start What we do: Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. The programs are a comprehensive effort to provide opportunities and experiences tailored to the individual developmental needs of each child.They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing school readiness of young children in low-income families. How you can help: Work with 3-5 yr. old children. Assist in providing an educational environment that stimulates intellectual growth, imagination, creativity, problem solving skills and language skills, while also encouraging social interaction,"love-education-nutrition." Contact: Corina Young, Head Teacher Ice House Plaza, Sunapee Street Newport, NH 03773 Ph. 863-3112 Website: http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/ Special Info: Volunteers must be patient, energetic and respect confidentiality. |
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| Literacy
Leaders What we do: Similar to the America Reads program whose goal is to ensure that every child can read well and independently by the end of third grade, literacy Leaders work with school aged children and their teachers on reading, writing, phonics, language and English grammar. How you can help: Volunteer to read with or to a child at a local school for 1-2 hours a week. You will be matched with a child who needs a learning partner or a teacher who needs a classroom assistant. Locations include New London, Newport, Sunapee, and Claremont. Contact: Nicole Courtney, AmeriCorps Literacy Coordinator Harrington Center, 541 Main Street VM x2111 Fx. 526-3990 E-mail: ncourtney@colby-sawyer.edu Special Info: Must attend training/orientation. *Background check may be required by school district.. |
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| Mentor
Program What we do: This is an opportunity to develop a relationship with a child and provide consistent support and guidance for that child. Goals include improving mentee's self-esteem, building a sense of community and providing positive role modeling. How you can help: Offer one-on-one interaction with a child who needs a reliable, supportive role model. Spend at least one hour each week with a child during recess or after school. Contact: Lisa Schreiner, AmeriCorps Mentor Program Coordinator Harrington Center for Career Development & Community Service 541 Main Street New London, NH 03257 VM x5287 Fx. 526-3990 E-mail: lschreiner@colby-sawyer.edu Special Info: *Must attend training/orientation. Prefer full year commitment. |
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| Orion
House Inc What we do: Orion House offers residential rehabilitative treatment for adolescent males. Their mission is ''to be the premier provider of safe and effective family-centered services to youth and their families. The delivery of services focuses on five principle domains: community, family, therapy, residential, and educational life.'' How you can help: Work one-on-one or with groups of residents to assist with school work. These boys are placed at Orion House by the court system, usualy as a result of delinquency or a Chins petition, or due to an abuse/neglect case against their parents. Some have emotional disabilities which can limit their ability to perform school work to their fullest potential. Contact: Dr. Mark Bissell P.O. Box 25 Newport, NH 03773 Ph. 863-4918 Fx. 863-1114 E-mail: orionhouseinc@TurboNT.net |
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| Upper
Valley Humane Society What we do: Provide humane care and shelter for abandoned, abused, and unwanted animals. Increase public awareness of the impact and implications of dog and cat overpopulation. Decrease pet overpopulation through the spay/neuter program. Educate people of all ages about the responsibilities of pet ownership. How you can help: Kennel Cleaning, Cat Cage Cleaning, Dog Walking, Cat Socializing, Shelter Go-fer, Meeter-Greeter, Clerical, Data Entry, Facility Maintenance, Lost & Found Coordinator, Adoption Follow-up, Recycling. Contact: Mary Taylor, Director of Community Outreach 300 Old Route 10 Enfield, NH 03748 Ph. 448-MUTT X112 Fx. 448-0180 E-mail: uvhsmary@valley.net Website: http://www.valley.net/~uvhs/ Special Info: Orientation is the second Saturday of every month. Must call in advance to sign up. |
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| Woodcrest What we do: Provide a full-range of assisted living services including special care for memory related disorders and respite services for short-term care. How you can help: Activities include assisting with physical activities such as walking with residents, reading, playing board games, coordinating bingo, artwork, etc. Contact: Donna Baker, Social Director 141 Main Street New London, NH 03257 Ph. 526-2300 |
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What we do: The Zone is an after school program at Kearsarge Regional Middle School. We operate Monday through Thursday, 2:15 to 5:30 p.m. The program is open to all middle school students. We offer snacks, homework help and recreation time. How you can help: We need volunteers to assist students with homework (one-on-one) and to help supervise recreation time (art & crafts, sports, games, etc). Volunteers will need to participate in activities as well as supervise. Contact: Susan Cowan, Program Director, Main Street, New London, NH 03257 Ph. 526-2389. |
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| POLITICAL PARTIES | ||
| Democratic Party (NH) | Green Party (NH) | Libertarian Party (NH) |
| Reform Party (NH) | Republican Party (NH) | Other Political Parties (Nationwide) |
| Democratic
Party (NH) Summary: We work everyday to promote policies for better, more affordable health care; a safe environment; a fiscally responsible government; secure Social Security and Medicare (complete with a prescription drug benefit for our seniors); adequately-funded education for our children; fair wages and treatment of our workers; protection of a woman's right to choose; and true civil rights - including free and fair elections that are blind to gender, religion, race, or sexual orientation. Contact: 2 ½ Beacon Street Concord, NH 03301 Ph. 225-6899 Fx. 225-6797 Website: http://www.nh-democrats.org/volunteer.html |
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| Green
Party (NH) Summary: We support 10 Key Values: Grassroots Democracy, Decentralization, Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice and Equal Opportunity, Nonviolence, Community Based Economics, Feminism, Respect for Diversity, Personal and Global Responsibility, Sustainability and Future Focus Contact: P.O. Box 1589 Concord, NH 03301-1589 E-mail: rdperkin@aol.com Website: http://www.nhgreens.org/ |
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| Libertarian
Party (NH) Summary: As Libertarians, we defend each person's right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest and we welcome the diversity that freedom brings. We seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals control their own lives and are never forced to compromise their values or sacrifice their property. We believe that no conflict exists between civil order and individual rights and that individuals, groups, or governments should not initiate force against other individuals, groups, or governments. Contact: Ph. 1-800-559-LPNH E-mail: info@lpnh.org Website: http://www.lpnh.org/ |
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| Reform
Party (NH) Summary: We, the members of the Reform Party, commit ourselves to reform our political system. Together we will work to re-establish trust in our government by electing ethical officials, dedicated to fiscal responsibility and political accountability. Contact: Mr. Vincent Koenig, Vice-chair PO Box 704, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447 Ph. 239-4394 Website: http://reformparty.org/StatesContacts/nh.html |
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| Republican
Party (NH) Summary: REPUBLICAN PLATFORM: Renewing America's Purpose. Together. The American Dream: Prosperity With a Purpose. Education and Opportunity: Leave No American Behind. Renewing Family and Community. Retirement Security and Quality Health Care. American Partners in Conservation and Preservation: Stewardship of Our Natural Resources. Government for the People. Principled American Leadership. Contact: 134 North Main St. Concord, NH 03301 Ph. 225-9341 Fx. 225-7498 Website: http://www.nhgop.org/ |
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| Other Political Parties (Nationwide) | ||
| ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES | ||
| For
each of the following projects, contact: LuAnne Ryall, Assistant Director of Career Services Harrington Center for Career Development & Community Service X 3439 or 3765 E-mail: lryall@colby-sawyer.edu |
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COMMUNITY
SERVICE CLUB |
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Colby-Sawyer College
541 Main Street
New London, NH 03257
(603) 526-3000
