Volunteering 101

Civic Engagement is committed to developing reciprocal and sustainable partnerships with local schools and community based organizations with an emphasis on developing relationships with organizations in our immediate community in Lower Merion Township, in West Philadelphia, and in Norristown.

Our goal is to connect faculty, student scholarship, educational field placements, summer internships, work study job opportunities and volunteer services with the local community in an effort to facilitate a reciprocal sharing of resources and assets. Open and ongoing communication is a priority for us in developing and maintaining these relationships and special attention is given to creating opportunities for community partners to have input into our programs.

Civic Engagement approaches each connection with off campus community organizations as a new relationship that may develop into a partnership. The initial connection might be through one student volunteer experience, a Praxis placement, a Summer of Service internship or through one of our other programs. 

By creating opportunities for frequent communication and feedback around these initial connections, we are able to explore other possibilities for collaboration and to understand each other's needs and assets. This often results in new linkages between organizations and other programs we sponsor. Our key partnerships are those which are most integrated into our programming and are most sustainable.