Here are some upcoming community engagement events and opportunities available through Illinois State University.
TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR CHANGE
What: Trick or Treat for Change is the annual fundraising event hosted by the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, the McLean County Habitat for Humanity, and the collegiate chapters of Habitat for Humanity at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities. Each year, 300 to 400 students trick or treat in groups of four to six around Bloomington-Normal asking for spare change. These donations add up and go to build homes in town. In 2017 the event raised over $11,000.
When: October 31, 2018
Where: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
Eligibility: Illinois State students are eligible to volunteer. They can preregister from October 1–28. Walk-ins will be accepted.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Trick-Or-Treat.
HOLIDAY HELPER
What: The Holiday Helper program annually provides gifts and parties for over 250 children in Bloomington-Normal in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, Western Avenue Community Center, Unity Community Center, and Center for Youth and Family Solutions. Volunteers are needed to sponsor gifts, to wrap and pack gifts, to organize the parties, and to help at the parties.
When: October to December 2018
Where: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
Eligibility: Illinois State students are eligible to volunteer. Faculty and students can sponsor gifts.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Holiday-Helper, or contact Paige Buschman, graduate assistant for community service projects for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, at vpsapebusc2@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED
What: The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning participates in a national day of service on Veterans Day called Serving Those Who Served. This program seeks to serve veterans in the community and the United States at large by recording the oral histories of those who have served our country through military enrollment.
When: November 12, 2018
Where: To be determined
Eligibility: Illinois State students are eligible to volunteer. Registration
begins in October.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Serving or contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at CommunityEngagement@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
What: Alternative Breaks, a student organization supported by the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, provides students of Illinois State with opportunities to enact social change. Alternative Breaks hosts local, national, and global service trips to help meet needs of communities. Students can volunteer to help build homes for the homeless, feed hungry families, tutor young children, and much more.
When: During spring break in March 2019
Where: Multiple sites throughout the United States
Eligibility: Illinois State students are eligible. Faculty and staff can apply for trip advisor positions. Students should apply between August 20–October 22 for first consideration, but applications are accepted on a rolling basis while availability lasts.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Alternative-Breaks/Spring.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE
What: The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a National Day of Service to honor King’s commitment and contributions to the civil rights movement and social justice. Join the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning and people across the nation as we serve our local community in King’s memory.
When: January 2019
Where: To be determined
Eligibility: Illinois State students are eligible to volunteer.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/MLK, or contact Paige Buschman, graduate assistant for community service projects for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, at vpsapebusc2@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
BRING IT BACK TO NORMAL
What: Since 2008, Bring It Back to Normal has provided opportunities for large groups of students to give back to the community that is home to Illinois State University. Students volunteer to work with local residents and nonprofit agencies to help meet the needs of the community through gardening, landscaping, housework, and other small tasks that make a big difference.
When: April 2019
Where: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
Eligibility: Community partner registration begins in mid-February and closes in mid-March. Students who would like to volunteer can begin registering in March.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Bring-It-Back-To-Normal, or contact Paige Buschman, graduate assistant for community service projects for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, at vpsapebusc2@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
