Student Volunteer Opportunities

Donating your time and skills to a nonprofit is a great way to help people in need while building your resume.

The following volunteer opportunities are not for service-learning credit. Nevertheless, any opportunity to work in the community can play a central role in your career development, from helping you think critically to honing your communication and strategic leadership skills.

Student clubs are required to complete a community service project in order to be established on campus. Club members are also encouraged to volunteer on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Choose from the volunteer opportunities list below, or browse the 2012-13 community service-learning sites. Look for announcements of one-time events in jwuLink and on the volunteer bulletin board located in the Academic Center’s 5th floor student lounge. Contact Community Outreach with any questions.

Ongoing Opportunities

Classroom Central Classroom Central collects and distributes free school supplies to students living in poverty. It takes an army of volunteers to help keep our Free Store and other resources up and running. Apply today to be a volunteer. View the volunteer schedule.

Dress for Success Dress for Success’ mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, career development tools and a network of support to help women thrive in work and in life. Volunteers are needed to help with office duties, sorting clothes, styling and event planning.

Friendship Trays Friendship Trays delivers more than 600 meals daily to the elderly, handicapped and those who are restricted in their ability to prepare meals. Volunteer opportunities range from preparing meal containers to sorting and delivering meals. Contact Lani Lawrence for more information.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore You don’t have to wield a hammer to make a dent in poverty housing — Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte has lots of non-construction-related volunteer opportunities. The Charlotte ReStore and Julia’s Cafe & Books are great places to help, from disassembling appliances at our Metal Recycling Center to learning how to make the perfect espresso at Julia’s Cafe, there’s no shortage of fun and interesting ways to volunteer.

Hands on Charlotte Throughout the year, Hands On Charlotte helps homeless families, guides at-risk youth, tutors disadvantaged children, feeds the hungry, care for our environment and so much more. Volunteers address our community’s most pressing needs through direct service.

Hospitality House Since 1985, Hospitality House of Charlotte has provided shelter to out-of-town families while their loved ones receive treatment at nearby hospitals. Since they operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year, they rely on volunteers to provide many of the services for our guests.

Hope Haven Inc. Hope Haven Inc. provides life skills for chemically dependent adults and families within a supportive residential environment. No matter how much time you have to give, your time and talent go a long way: organize a coat drive, tutor, help us raise money or be a part of a group or committee. Volunteer today and help make a difference with just a few hours of your time. 

King’s Kitchen Volunteers are needed to assist with restaurant service, seating or deliver meals at King's Kitchen, 129 West Trade Street, Sundays from 10:30am-12:30pm. If you are willing to give your time to a worthy cause that is right down the street from JWU, please contact Vanessa Garcia or by phone at 980-598-1201.

Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte offers hope, support and love to families struggling with children’s illness — and volunteers are needed for every aspect of house operations, from daily in-house tasks and nightly meals to one-time special events and projects. Weekend House Operations Volunteers are needed. If you are interested, please attend a volunteer interest meeting at RMH every Wednesday at 10am or the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Ronald McDonald Houses offer hope, support and love to families struggling with children’s illness. The goal of Ronald McDonald House Charities is to improve the health and well-being of nearly 3.7 million children worldwide every year – and it has indeed made a global impact.

Second Harvest Food Bank Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina runs a regional distribution warehouse and branches that supply food and grocery items to nearly 650 agencies  in the 19-county area, including soup kitchens, emergency pantries and shelters, low-income day cares, senior programs and group homes. There are two things that all volunteers must do: schedule in advance and always wear closed toe shoes. Learn more about volunteer opportunities and scheduling.