COAR and the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) offer several opportunities to volunteer with local community organizations. For a broader list of volunteer opportunities, visit our CCE volunteer website.
Our programs are student-led and depend on dedicated UMW volunteers for their success. Programs only run during the semester and when class is in session; programs do not operate over school breaks or exam weeks.
If you have questions about the programs, please contact the COAR Council Leader listed below each program or email us at coarumw@gmail.com.
Accessibility
Questions about the accessibility of our events? Reach out to us with questions at sdewees@umw.edu.
Animals
SPCA
Volunteers for the SPCA will be able to travel to the local shelter weekly to clean, organize, feed, and play with all the furry friends while they are waiting for their forever home.
Council Leaders: Emma James & Summers Worthington
Weekly Volunteer Times: Fridays from 2:00-3:45PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week. You will need to be trained first (training sessions will be held when possible). View all upcoming trainings and volunteer opportunities on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Mentoring/Building Relationships
Loisann’s Hope House
Loisann’s Hope House serves families transitioning out of homelessness. Hope House has requested volunteers to spend time with youth during “mom’s time.” Volunteers work with children on homework (if needed), play games with youth indoors, and, weather permitting, spend some time playing outdoors.
Council Leaders: Journey Mason & Jadyn Freeman
Weekly Volunteer Times: Thursdays from 4:00-5:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week-by-week on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Stafford Junction: Brain Builders
Stafford Junction is seeking volunteers to help with their Brain Builders program. Brain Builders is an after-school program designed to aid in homework and with a focus on with fostering intellectual achievement by giving kids the tools they need to succeed in school. Stafford Junction offers mentoring and tutoring programs with elementary schools.
Council Leaders: Molly Gilhool
Weekly Volunteer Times: Wednesdays from 3:00PM-5:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Volunteers need to fill out an application form and go through a background check (paid for by Stafford Junction). If interested in volunteering with Stafford Junction, email Molly Gilhool for more information at mgilhool@mail.umw.edu.
Bigs in Schools
Students volunteer in local schools through the Bigs in Schools program.
Interested in mentoring youth in local schools? The Bigs in Schools program is part of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Fredericksburg. UMW students are paired with students from a local elementary or middle school to mentor them after school during the week. This training is useful for psychology, sociology, and education majors, as well as others interested in youth development.
Council Leaders: Victoria Smith & Hope McCallister
Weekly Volunteer Times: Tuesday from 3:15PM-5:00PM.
Commitment Level Needed: Students must interview and attend a brief training program. Reach out to coarumw@gmail.org for more information.
The Environment
Downtown Greens
If you love gardening and are interested in beautifying our community, this program is for you. Downtown Greens is an urban gardening program that serves as a community garden, agricultural education center for youth, and an advocate for sustainability. Come volunteer with us and help make Fredericksburg beautiful!
Council Leaders: Morgan Galusha
Weekly Volunteer Times: Every other Saturday from 10:00AM-12:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: No training needed. Sign up for specific events on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Environmental Awareness and Action (EAA)
Interested in helping the environment or educating the public on how to save the Earth? This program works on environmental projects including river cleanups and collaboration with Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR). River Cleanup events involve walking to the river and picking up trash from the city pathways.
Council Leaders: Nora Russo
Weekly Volunteer Times: Saturdays from 4:00-7:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up for specific events on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Green Crew
Volunteers with Green Crew work together with UMW Facilities to do invasive tree removal, tree planting, seed collection, and expand to the pollinator garden! Green Crew also contains our composting initiative, through which volunteers work to encourage composting on the UMW campus.
Council Leaders: Everett Vegso, Eva Milby, & Merritt Scherer
Weekly Volunteer Times: N/A
Commitment Level Needed: Contact coargreencrew@gmail.com for volunteer opportunities! Email mscherer@mail.umw.edu for volunteer opportunities or interest in the composting initiative!
Food Justice
Food Recovery Program
The volunteers in this program work with the Dining Services on campus, collecting food after hours and donating it to food security programs that help the hungry and homeless in the area. Events are listed on MyUMW. This program works with the national Food Recovery Network.
Council Leaders: Hannah Jadgchew, Katie Craddock, & Erin Dutton
Weekly Volunteer Times: Mondays from 8:00PM-9:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week-by-week or view and sign up for upcoming volunteer events on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Gwen Hale Resource Center
Volunteers at the GHRC will have the opportunity to work with UMW’s own food and clothing bank, located in the attic of Lee Hall. Volunteers will be asked to organize donations, maintain a clean and welcoming space for UMW students, and much more!
Council Leaders: Laurie Zdenek & Destiny Ward
Weekly Volunteer Times: Every other Wednesday from 3:00-4:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week-by-week or sign up for upcoming events on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Accessible
Helping Hands
Volunteers with Helping Hands will work on indoor service projects, including activities like making sandwiches, fleece blankets, and cards for seniors, to be donated to partners in the Fredericksburg community! It is an accessible option for anyone looking to serve the community who prefers indoor crafts in a less stimulating environment or projects requiring no travel or physical activity.
Council Leaders: Aliya Ather & Julia Franck
Weekly Volunteer Times: Tuesdays from 5:00PM-6:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week. View all upcoming volunteer opportunities on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Charter Senior Living
Volunteers go to Charter Senior Living to meet and socialize with senior citizens at the facility!
Council Leaders: Chloe Mahanes
Weekly Volunteer Times: Mondays from 1:00-2:00PM
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week. View all upcoming volunteer opportunities on MyUMW and @coarumw on Instagram!
Can’t find anything on this list, but still want to volunteer? Stop by the COAR Office on the third floor of the University Center in the Center for Community Engagement in Suite 320, or email us at coarumw@gmail.com. There are always plenty of events going on that we need volunteers for!
This information is provided as a service of the UMW Center for Community Engagement but we do not endorse specific opportunities. CCE assumes no responsibility for information posted on this website. In no event shall the Center for Community Engagement or the University of Mary Washington be liable for any damages related to listed opportunities.
