For Community Partners
The Office of Community Service and Service-Learning, by soliciting the resources of our students, faculty and administrators, seeks to partner with community agencies and organizations in responding to needs and addressing critical community-wide issues. In return, the college appreciates the role community partners play as co-educators of Allegheny's students. They assist the college in realizing Allegheny's mission to prepare, "young adults for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students' intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility."
We cannot promise that every need for assistance can be met but we can promise that we will communicate every legitimate request to the college community. It is helpful to keep in mind that most of our students are gone from the middle of May through the end of August and most of the month of January. December and April are particularly demanding for our students because of the end of the semester intensity of their academic work.
For contact information for the following organizations please contact the Office of Community Service and Service-Learning.
Allegheny College programs that support the work of our community partners are:
Clearinghouse of Immediate Needs - Local agencies and individual community members call in with service needs that can be filled by Allegheny students. Examples include helping a disabled person move, running a chess club at an elementary school, tutoring children and adults, and assisting agencies with special events. An email with current needs is sent out to potential volunteers once per week. Requests for assistance can be made by calling the Office of Community Service and Service-Learning or by contacting clearing@allegheny.edu.
Academic Service-Learning Courses - Each semester faculty members incorporate service components in selected courses. Examples include technical writing, conducting surveys, and assisting at service agencies. If community partners have needs that could possibly be addressed through a semester-long project they should contact the Office of Community Service and Service-Learning or email Dave Roncolato at droncola@allegheny.edu.
Peer Project Leader Program - More than 25 students are matched with an agency/program to organize and facilitate programs and to recruit and train more Allegheny volunteers for the site. These students generally dedicate 2-5 hours per week, and are trained and supported through the Office of Community Service and Service-Learning. For more information, contact Bekka Gayley at rgayley@allegheny.edu.
Bonner Leaders Program - Allegheny College was invited to become an Bonner Leader school by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation in the fall of 1997, and the first class of Bonner Leaders began their service in the summer of 1998. The 2-year program combines a summer position in a Crawford County service agency/program, work-study in the community during the academic year, training in leadership and service, and financial compensation. Allegheny has 20 of these 2-year positions in which students commit to completing 900 hours of service. In the summer of 2000, Allegheny began offering Summer-Only positions in which students commit 300 hours during one summer at an agency/program in Crawford County. For more information, contact Audrey Bode at abode@allegheny.edu.
America Reads Program - Allegheny works with two elementary schools, a YMCA Afterschool Care Program, and Gill Village and Fairview/Fairmont housing developments to coordinate literacy programs. Approximately 30 college students work one-on-one with children for one hour twice a week doing interactive, fun activities that improve children's reading and writing skills. More than 45 children are impacted through this program. College students can earn work-study funds for their involvement or can volunteer. For more information, contact Cheryl Krachkowski at ckrachko@allegheny.edu.
Gill Village Computer Literacy Program - This program is based out of the Gill Village Housing Development computer center, made possible by a grant from Pennsylvania Campus Compact. 15 college tutors work in a one-on-one situation with children in grades 3-6, each tutoring two children for two afternoons each week. College students receive financial compensation for their involvement in the program. For more information, contact Becca Gebhardt at rgebhard@allegheny.edu.
Allegheny College events that support the work of our community partners are:
Allegheny Service Adventures - During new student orientation in August, incoming first-year students choose an "adventure," one being an afternoon of service in Crawford County. Approximately 100 students complete 10 service projects led by student service leaders. Past projects include preparing and delivering fruit baskets for the elderly, trail work, and leading recreational activities with children and youth.
An Introduction to Meadville - A recent addition to New Student
Orientation is a picnic in Diamond Park with a welcome to new students by
local government officials and a tour of downtown Meadville businesses.
Community Involvement Extravaganza - Within the first 2 weeks
of classes in the Fall semester, student service leaders and their agency
representatives set up tables with information for students about service
opportunities in the local community. Students get a feel for what is available
and the diverse ways they can get involved with service.
Make a Difference Day - More than 700 Allegheny students join 700 Crawford County residents each year on a Saturday in October to complete over 125 cleaning, building, and repair projects in the local community. Neighbors help neighbors by raking leaves, building wheelchair ramps, repairing roofs, and visiting with the elderly.
Allegheny College Student Organizations that work directly with community partners include:
Alpha Phi Omega (APO): A national co-ed service fraternity, APO is committed to the principles of leadership, fellowship, and service. APO's chapter has served the Allegheny and Meadville community for 35 years. The organization hosts blood drives, an annual holiday party for Big Brothers and Sisters, and does many other service projects during the school year.
Circle K: The local college chapter of an International service
organization affiliated with Kiwanis International. Their motto is, "Help
yourself through helping others!"
Community Connections Committee: Primarily made up of students
and a few community representatives, this group seeks to connect students
to the local community. They were the catalyst for the downtown picnic and
tour for new students and are hoping to develop student discount cards to
encourage student support of local businesses.
Habitat for Humanity: A student organization that works closely with the affiliate in Meadville to provide decent housing for those in need. Allegheny volunteers build access ramps, paint homes, and do other repair projects most Saturdays. This group has been fundraising for a Habitat house to be built for a family right here in Meadville, a long-term project that may lead to construction beginning in 2003.
