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

Franciscan Friday

Date: Friday, April 12th, 2013
Place: Gring's Mill (Berks County Parks Department)
Time: 12:30pm-4:30pm
Service: Site preparation for Earth Day of Service and planting at Gring's Mill

Contact: Judy Bohler (judy.bohler@alvernia.edu or 610-796-5509) for more information and to sign up.

Earth Day of Service

Date: Saturday, April 20th, 2013
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Service: Working with the Berks County Parks Department at Gring's Mill

Contact: The Holleran Center at holleran.center@alvernia.edu with your t-shirt size.

Eco Fun Day

Date: Friday, May 3rd, 2013
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm, flexible schedule - do not have to be available the whole day
Location: Angelica Creek Park - located adjacent to campus
Service: Helping out with ecological activities for Millmont Elementary 3rd-5th graders

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

South Reading Youth Initiative

Time: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through May 2nd, 2013 – 2:30-5:00 PM
Service: After school tutoring and mentoring children ages 7 to 14

Contact: Allison Kren (610-568-1527 or allison.kren@alvernia.edu)

Alvernia READS

Service: Read to elementary school children, collect and sort donated books, facilitate an activity (provided by the Holleran Center), distribute free books. Transportation is provided for all service activities.

Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Place: Tyson-Schoener Elementary School (Kindergarten)
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Place: Millmont Elementary School (1st Grade)
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Date: Thursday, April 11, 2013
Place: Berks County Family Center
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Place: Tyson-Schoener Elementary School (Kindergarten)
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Date: Monday, April 15, 2013
Place: Cumru Elementary School (Kindergarten)
Time: 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2013
Place: Montessori School (Kindergarten)
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Date: Friday, April 19, 2013
Place: Bernardine Hall Lecture Hall (South Reading Youth Initiative)
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM (Special Movie Night)

Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Place: Montessori School (Pre-K)
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Place: St. Joseph’s
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM

Date: Monday, April 29, 2013
Place: Tyson-Schoener Elementary School (1st Grade)
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Place: Tyson-Schoener Elementary School (Kindergarten)
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Contact: Heather Shainline (610-796-5504 or heather.shainline@alvernia.edu)

PSSA Literacy at Millmont Elementary

Service: Mornings of fun, filled with literacy activities, playing games, and reading books with 25-30 K – 2nd Grade Students.
Dates:  Tuesdays, April 9 and April 16, 2013; Wednesday, April 10, 2013; Thursday, April 11, 2013; Friday, April 12, 2013; Monday, April 15, 2013
Place: Millmont Elementary School
Time:  8:30 – 11:30 AM - Flexible scheduling (1 hour; 1.5 hours, 2 hours, etc.)

Contact: Heather Shainline (610-796-5504 or heather.shainline@alvernia.edu)

Alvernia Environmental Club

Date: Friday, April 19, 2013
Place: Meet in Bernardine Hall Lounge – 8:30 AM. Transportation is provided
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Service: Northeast Middle School “Earth Day” Event Assist with Environmental Activities for 6th and 7th Graders.

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

Seniors College

iPAD CLUB
Date:         Every Third Wednesday, Starting March 20, 2013
Place:        Upland Center, Community Room 103
Time:        11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Service:    Assist Club Members with iPad Technology

iPAD CLASS
Dates:       Thursdays, April 11, 18, and 25, 2013
Place:        Upland Center, Community Room 103
Time:        11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Service:    Assist Participants during Course Instruction

Contact:   Sally Reading (sally.reading@alvernia.edu or 610-796-8357)

Resident Assistant Service Opportunity

Alexander Roche, and Alvernia Resident Assistant Class of 2015, is seeking volunteers to assist him with painting and odd jobs for a deceased neighbor’s house so that it can be sold and the proceeds donated to his handicapped daughter. 

If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Alexander at alexander.roche@alvernia.edu.

Community Partner Opportunities

One Time Service Opportunities

Berks County Family Center

The Berks County Family Center has a current service opportunity to assist with clean-up outside of their new building.  The BCFC can use help cleaning up the yard for their residents, raking, picking up branches and any objects that could cause someone to trip and fall.  This would be good for a large group project or an individual student who is willing to come for several hours.

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

Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

Dates: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Place: Nolde Forest EE Center “C. H. McConnell Hall” (approx. 10 minutes from campus)
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Service: “Spring Clean-ups” for 2013. Trail Maintenance, Invasive Plant Removal, Storm Damage Cleanup, Mansion Grounds Maintenance….

Contact:  Volunteers can register for either day by calling 610-796-3699 or e-mailing noldeforestprogramstaff@pa.gov.
              Registration ensures that tools are available and appropriate projects are planned.

Greater Berks Food Bank

Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Place: GBFB, 1011 Tuckerton Ct., Reading, PA 19605            
Time: 9:00 AM
Service: Sort local donations for member agencies.  Weed out all non-food products such as, cleaning supplies and hygiene products.  Create boxes with a variety of products. Please dress
appropriately and wear closed toe shoes.

Contact: Ashley Snyder at asnyder@feedingamerica.org or 610-926-5802, Ext. 207

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Place: The Sovereign Performing Arts Center, Reading, PA 19601
Time: 4:00-8:00PM
Service: Assist behind the scenes at the annual "Take the Lead" event. Girls plan and run the whole event but need help in the following roles: Greeters, Ushers, Organize groups of girls for different parts of the event. No Girl Scout knowledge required, just patience and willingness to take direction, and assist girls during the event. You will need to attend a practice session.

For more information: Click here.

South Mountain YMCA

Date: Sunday, April 21, 2013
Place: South Mountain YMCA Camp - 2 Cushion Peak Road, Wernersville, PA
Time: 11:00AM-4:00PM
Service: Assist with painting, planting flowers and maybe even help put up a new pavilion. Lunch will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear clothes you are comfortable getting dirty

Contact: Sue Kiscadden (ycamps@smymca.org or 610-670-2257)

Berks County Solid Waste Authority

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Place: Exeter Township Municipal Building
Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Service: Assist with Surveying Residents at both Events and Unloading Vehicles at the Paper Shredding Event

Contact: Jane Meeks (swa@countyofberks.com or 610-478-6362)

Berks County Parks Department

Date: Sunday, April 28
Place: Youth Recreation Facility, Bern Township
Time: 12:00-5:00pm (can sign up for shifts)
Service: Go Fly A Kite Day. Help with kite making workshop, face painting and judges for kite contest

Date: Saturday, May 11
Place: Hunsicker’s Grove, Longswamp Township
Time: 8:00am-12:30pm
Service: Children’s Fishing Rodeo. Assist with registration, fish weighing & measuring station, crafts and casting contest

Date: Saturday, May 19 (rain date - Sunday, May 20)
Place: Heritage Center, Bern Township
Time: 10:00am-7:00pm (can sign up for shifts)
Service: Early Bird Fiddle Fest. Assist with musical craft tent activities, face painting and mural painting

Contact: Becky Richards (rrichards@countyofberks.com or 610-374-2944 x2611)

Goggleworks

Dates & Times: Mornings, Weekdays and/or Weekends - Flexible Schedule
Service: Front Desk Assistant

 

Date: Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2013
Place:  PA Guild of Craftsman 11th Annual Juried Spring Craft Festival, Keystone Hall, Kutztown University
Times: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (4/6)
         10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (4/7)
Service: Assist with Staffing a Booth and Marketing GoggleWorks Classes, Programs and Exhibits

Dates: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays
Times: Between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Service: Cold Glass Studio Assistant

Dates: Wednesdays, April 10, 17, and May 1, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM
Service: Standby Tour Leaders for Free Tours

Dates: Fridays, April 12, 19, 26, 2013
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Service: Theater Assistants

Dates: Saturdays, April 13, 20, 27, 2013
Time: 2:30 -3:30 PM; 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Service: Theater Assistants

Dates: Sundays, April 14, 21, 28, 2013
Times: 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM (4/14)
            2:30 – 3:30 PM (4/14, 21, 28)
Service: Theaters Assistants

Date: Sunday, April 14, 2013 – Second Sunday Open House
Times and Service: 9:00 – 11:00 AM – Assist with Set-up
                          11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Greet/Hand out Programs
                          12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM – Store Assistant
                          12:00 Noon – 3:00 PM – Assist with Children’s “Make & Take” Art
                          12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM – Assist in Ceramics Studio

Dates: April 29 through June 13, 2013
Time: 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Service: Classroom Assistants
            Mondays – Ceramics or Drawing Studio or Printmaking Studio
            Tuesdays – Photography or 3D Mixed Media or Hip Hop Dance or Mixed Media 2D
            Wednesdays – Fused Glass or Chess or Fiber Art
            Thursdays – Sculpture or Woodworking or Jewelry Studio or Ballroom Dance or Ceramics

Dates: June through July, 2013
Time: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (AM and/or PM Shifts Available)
Service: Summer Art Camp Internships and Class Assistants

The GoggleWorks is also seeking volunteers to assist Gala Committee Members
with the following jobs in preparation for the September 21, 2013 fundraising event:
•    arrange/participate tasting for hors d’oeuvres/dinner menu
•    contact volunteer performers/entertainment
•    make follow-up calls for possible sponsorships
•    make follow-up phone calls to acquire auction acquisitions
•    assist with pick-up of auction donations
•    assist with pre-Gala set up (Wed. and/or Thurs. and/or Fri. and/or Sat AM) and clean up Sunday AM
•    assist during Gala event (auctions, monitor cash bar, auction item wrapping/check out)
•    assist with mailings
•    proof read program and auction brochures
                   
Contact: Cindy Boscov (volunteer@goggleworks.org or 610-374-4600, Ext. 110) to volunteer or need additional information about any of the above volunteer opportunities.

Berks Encore

Date: Start in April 2013
Place: Fleetwood Senior Center
Time: Flexible, dependent on student's schedule
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)

Cornwall Terrace Elementary School PTO

Date:  Saturday, May 4, 2013
Place:  Cornwall Terrace Elementary School, 3100 Iroquois Avenue, Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Time:  11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Service: Fund-raising/Carnival – Assist children with Games and Activities

Contact:    Heather Murray (heathermurray96@gmail.com or 610-750-6628)

Ongoing Service Opportunities

Salvation Army

Date: Ongoing - Monday through Friday
Place: Salvation Army Learning Center, 301 South Fifth St., Reading 19603
Time: 3:00 – 5:30 PM
Service: After-school Program – Assist elementary school age children (1st through 5th graders) with homework, open/play time, and meal time from 5:00 – 5:30 PM (Students are from Tyson-Schoener Elementary School)

Contact: Jonanthan VanWyngarden (jonathan.vanwyngarden@gmail.com or 610-373-5202)

Lord Jesus Christ Assembly of Reading, Saint Luke’s EC Church Building, 315 West Board St., Shillington, PA 19607

Description: Assist at a Homework Help and Tutoring Group.  This group will meet from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday evening.  LJCA is in need of education majors to assist with their youth homework program.  Volunteers can be elementary, middle or secondary education majors.  This is a free program that will benefit students of all economic statuses.  The students will be able to get the assistance they need without a financial burden to their families.

Contact: Jacki Mae Clark (Jclar255@live.kutztown.edu or 570-317-7016)

I-LEAD Charter School, 200 N. 8th  St., Suite 200, Reading, PA

Description: I-LEAD Charter School is the first “brick and mortar” Charter School in the City of Reading.  I-LEAD is in need of volunteers to tutor their high school students on SAT preparation.  Each Wednesday from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., I-LEAD students will be preparing to take their SATs for the first time.  Tutors must have strong skills in Math, Reading, and Writing.  The tutors will be assigned 4 students each week with all the materials provided for each session.

Contact: Justin Colon (1-855-453-2327, Ext. 216 or jcolon@i-leadusa.org)

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 church service (while parents attend the adult church service).  Children needing buddies range from preschool age to 5th grade.

Contact: Christine Kreisher (610-678-0266 or christinekreisher@gtaog.org)

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)

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