Come Volunteer with Us!
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
Come join us for the newest volunteer opportunity! 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, Eliana Nachman
Weekly Volunteer Times: Wednesday 1:45-3:15
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 here.
Childhood Involvement
Loisann’s Hope House (Mom’s Time)
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: Maria Werner & Journey Mason
Weekly Volunteer Times: Thursday 4:30-5:30. Wednesday 5-6 ONLY ON 2/28, 3/20, & 4/17
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week here.
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: Sarah Hybl and Ashlynn Clayton
Weekly Volunteer Times: Wednesday 3:00-5:00
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 Sarah Hybl for more information at shybl@mail.umw.edu.
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. Come volunteer with us and help make Fredericksburg beautiful!
Council Leaders: Evie Benton & Loren Osborne
Weekly Volunteer Times: Every other Saturday from 9:00-12:00
Commitment Level Needed: No training needed. Sign up for specific events on MyUMW.
Environmental Awareness and Action
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: Loren Osborne, Audrey Turner
Weekly Volunteer Times: Saturday mornings, usually 9am- 12pm
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up for specific events on MyUMW.
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: Willow Candage, Rachel Richardson.
Weekly Volunteer Times: Mondays 8-9
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week on MyUMW or view and sign up for upcoming volunteer events here.
Literacy
Bookmobile
Volunteers at this weekly program will have the opportunity to work with Fredericksburg’s only free mobile library. Volunteers will be asked to collect and organize donations, promote the Bookmobile, clean, and much more!
Council Leaders: Corbin Poyer, Emily Thomas, Mikyas Telahun
Weekly Volunteer Times: Tuesday 5-6
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week on MyUMW or sign up for upcoming events here.
Mentoring/Building Relationships
Bigs in Schools
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 Gallaway, Fiona Archer, Knox McKinley
Weekly Volunteer Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays 3:30-4:30PM.
Commitment Level Needed: Students must interview and attend a brief training program. Reach out to coarumw@gmail.org for more information.
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.