Community service is one of the most common extracurricular activities among college students, and there are many organizations around the country that focus on bringing students together to help solve pressing problems. Here are just a few organizations that are empowering students to make a big difference in their local communities and around the world.
1. Engineers Without Borders
For STEM students looking to do service abroad and get more involved with their majors, Engineers Without Borders provides a perfect opportunity! Students and faculty mentors join together to complete projects that help communities in third world countries meet basic human needs such as water supply, sanitation, agriculture and energy. Examples include developing a system for better water access in a village or building solar panels for a school that lacks electricity.
2. Design for America
Design for America is focused on social innovation projects that help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. DFA incorporates a wide variety of disciplines, from engineering to the arts to business, with the ultimate goal of developing a product or service that addresses a local need. Examples of successful projects include a rug that combats urban flooding and an app that allows volunteers to better help the homeless.
3. America Reads America Counts
America Reads America Counts is a mentoring program that allows college students to travel to local schools and tutor elementary and middle school students in basic subjects such as reading and math. From students who want to become teachers or enjoy working with kids to those who simply want to become more involved in their communities, this organization provides a great opportunity to make a noticeable impact.
4. Food Recovery Network
Food Recovery Network’s mission is to decrease food waste and feed the hungry by recovering leftover food from college campuses. So far, the organization has donated over one million pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste. In just four years, it has grown from a single chapter here at the University of Maryland to almost 180 chapters nationwide!
5. Student PIRGs
This organization encourages students to solve pressing public interest problems in areas such as environmental protection, hunger and homelessness. Current campaigns are focused on lowering the cost of textbooks, encouraging young people to vote and encouraging politicians to support sustainable efforts.
6. Epsilon Sigma Alpha
Epsilon Sigma Alpha is a coed service fraternity whose purpose "is to inspire leadership and service by bringing good people together to pursue programs and projects that make a positive difference locally, nationally and internationally." One of the most significant priorities of the group is supporting the care and expenses of ill children, and each year, members have raised millions of dollars for a variety of causes.
7. Local opportunities
While joining campus chapters of these organizations is a great way to get involved in community service, there are always many other options to make a difference in your community. Find an area of service that you are passionate about, and reach out to local organizations about finding volunteer opportunities. Another great idea is get a group of friends together and think about starting a chapter of a national organization at your school!
