University of Alabama students are no strangers to volunteering their time for a greater cause. Even before the volunteer response to the events of April 27, the Capstone had been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for five years running. However, the volunteer options and opportunities may be daunting for those who are just beginning their community service experience. So, how can you get involved?
The University’s Community Service Center, located in the Ferguson Center, organizes volunteer opportunities for students in addition to acting as a liaison between UA students and community partners. The CSC also utilizes a system called SLPro, which allows students to log volunteer hours and learn about potential volunteer project opportunities.
“When a student comes to our office, we introduce them to SLPro so they can continue to search for opportunities to be involved,” said Wahnee Sherman, director of community service. “We also give them information about any service projects that the CSC is sponsoring at that time as well as passing along other volunteer opportunities that our community partners have shared with us.”
Students interested in the CSC can stop by their office in the Ferg or visit volunteer.ua.edu.
Another on-campus volunteer opportunity can be found at the Women’s Resource Center. Elle Shaaban-Magaña, the WRC director, said the center is always looking for volunteers to accomplish a broad spectrum of goals.
“One of the myths about the center is that we only work with and for women,” Shaaban-Magaña said. “We offer a range of activism and leadership opportunities for people to become involved based on their interests, experience, and level of commitment of time.”
Shaaban-Magaña urges interested volunteers to call 348-5040 or visit the Get Involved portion of the WRC website at wrc.ua.edu.
For off-campus opportunities, the Red Cross West Alabama Chapter’s main office is located in Tuscaloosa. An online volunteer application can be found at alredcross.org, or you can call the office at 205-758-3608.
Animal lovers can donate time to a local animal shelter or rescue mission. The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter holds volunteer orientation sessions every Thursday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Download the volunteer application from metroanimalshelter.org and take it to their office at 3140 35th Street to learn more about the opportunities there.
Large student organizations and clubs often take part in their own philanthropy or volunteer endeavors but there are always opportunities for individual volunteers to plug into a bigger group.
UA student Will Dodd recently participated in the Lake Tuscaloosa Clean-Up, a community wide service day put on by the City of Tuscaloosa that he learned about through social media.
“I found out about the Lake Tuscaloosa clean up day through various Facebook and Twitter posts by The Black Warrior Riverkeeper and The UA Environmental Council,” Dodd, a junior majoring in political science, said.
Stay up to date on organizations and causes you care about by subscribing to newsletters, liking their Facebook pages, or following them on Twitter. The Community Service Center’s Twitter, @VolunteerBama, continually updates students on service opportunities they can take part in.
“I would encourage other UA students to volunteer as much as you can. Find something you are passionate about and give your time to the cause,” Dodd said. “Not only is it a great way to work with organizations and causes you believe in, but it is also a great way to meet new people and it can open the door for more opportunities later on.”
Box info?
Red Cross of West Alabama, 205-758-3608, alredcross.org
UA Community Service Center, 205348-2865, volunteer.ua.edu
Women’s Resource Center, 348-5040, wrc.ua.edu
Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, (205) 752-9101, metroanimalshelter.org
