Check out the following community engagement opportunities open to Illinois State students, faculty, and staff.
Bring It Back To Normal (CANCELLED IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
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 17, 2020
WHERE: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
ELIGIBILITY: 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 Blair Canedy, graduate assistant for community service projects for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, at vpsabafern1@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
September Service Days
WHAT: During September, the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning will host several service projects. Transportation will be provided for those who need it. Credit may be offered by certain classes; ask your professor for details.
WHEN: Weekends in September 2020; typically Fridays and Saturdays. Each service project lasts two to five hours.
WHERE: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
ELIGIBILITY: Registration is open to Illinois State students through September or until spots are filled.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Saturdays or contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at CommunityEngagement@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
Holiday Helper
WHAT: The Holiday Helper program provides gifts and parties for over 300 children in Bloomington-Normal through partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Western Avenue Community Center, Unity Community Center, the Center for Youth and Family Solutions, and Marcfirst. Volunteers are needed to sponsor children, to wrap and pack gifts, and to organize and help at holiday parties.
WHEN: October to December 2020
WHERE: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
ELIGIBILITY: Illinois State students, faculty, and staff are eligible to sponsor children, wrap/pack, and assist at the parties.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Holiday-Helper or contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at CommunityEngagement@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
Trick Or Treat For Change
WHAT: Trick-or-Treat for Change is the annual fundraising event hosted as a collaboration between the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, 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. This change adds up and goes to build a Habitat home in the community.
WHEN: October 31, 2020
WHERE: Various locations in Bloomington-Normal
ELIGIBILITY: Trick-or-Treating is limited to Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan students. Other individuals are welcome to volunteer in other ways.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu/Students/Community-Service/Trick-Or-Treat or contact Annie Weaver, student volunteer opportunities coordinator at the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, at (309) 438-0708 or amweave@IllinoisState.edu.
Serving Those Who Served
WHAT: The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning engages in a national day of service in November called Serving Those Who Served. This program seeks to serve veterans in the community and the United States at large.
WHEN: November 2020
WHERE: To be determined
ELIGIBILITY: Additional details will be available in fall 2020.
For more information, visit CommunityEngagement.IllinoisState.edu or contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at CommunityEngagement@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1100.
