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 this fall, visit our CCE volunteer website.
COVID-19 Update: In the spring of 2021, many of our programs will be on hold or exist in a different format. Check the details below for more information. In the spring of 2021, we are not allowed to provide any transportation to volunteer sites, and most volunteer opportunities will be virtual, online, or socially distanced. In-person volunteering will require wearing masks, staying socially distant, and transporting oneself to the volunteer site (walking or driving).
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 exams weeks.
If you have questions about the programs, please contact the COAR Council Leader listed below each program, email COARUMW@gmail.com, or join the program on MyUMW.
Accessibility
Questions about the accessibility of our events? Reach out to us with questions at sdewees@umw.edu.
Animals
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
This program is temporarily on hold for 2021.
Like horses? Want to learn about therapeutic horseback riding? Therapeutic horseback riding is a recreational therapy where an individual is taught to actively control a horse while riding. It is used as exercise to improve sensory and motor skills for coordination, balance, and posture. Come volunteer at Hazelwild Farm to learn more about this type of therapy and work closely with horses.
Council Leaders: TBD
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week on MyUMW.
Childhood Involvement
Bragg Hill
This program is temporarily on hold for 2021.
Volunteers provide tutoring for youth in grades 1-9. Once the children finish their homework, volunteers play with the kids in the gym, read, do puzzles, or play board games.
Council Leader: Paige Beidelman
Weekly Meeting Times: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:50 pm – 5:15 pm
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week on MyUMW.
Stafford Junction
Stafford Junction is a nonprofit organization that assists families from the local area. Stafford Junction will offer virtual, Zoom-based tutoring sessions for their youth in the fall. UMW students will be asked to work in teams of two to provide online, Zoom-based tutoring. An application form, free background check, and orientation are required. Email Rachael Feldman at rfeldman@staffordjunction.org to sign up. Optional bi-weekly reflection sessions can be included in volunteer time.
Council Leader: Cindy Ramirez
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: Email Rachael Feldman at rfeldman@staffordjunction.org to sign up. Orientation, application, and background check required but can be completed with a simple process.
Loisann’s Hope House (Mom’s Time)
Loisann’s Hope House serves families transitioning out of homelessness. Hope House has requested volunteers to help with in-person, socially-distant outdoor visits and tutoring with youth (masks required) If interested in any of this, please sign up using this form.
Council Leaders: Delaney Quigley, Purnaja Poduturri, and Elizabeth Lopez
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Thurman Brisben Center
This program is temporarily on hold for 2021.
Thurman Brisben Center provides critical services to homeless individuals and families in the Fredericksburg area. Volunteers play with the children while their parents do chores.
Council Leaders: Tamara Garrett and Meghan McLees
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week on MyUMW.
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 Leader: Mia Buffington
Volunteer opportunities: COAR is sponsoring weekly walks down to the garden space on Saturdays. Weekly volunteer opportunities will start up in March.
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week 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 the Ecology Club, and Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR).
Council Leader: TBD
Dates: TBD
Volunteer opportunities: Saturday morning river cleanup activities will be scheduled starting in March. Volunteer site is walking distance from campus.
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up for specific events on MyUMW.
Food Justice
Food Bank
While the COAR Council program is on hold this semester, students can volunteer with the Food Bank by visiting their volunteer page. The COAR Council program will continue this spring, if possible. Student volunteers help the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank by organizing food shelves and preparing care packages.
Council Leaders: Daniel Hur and Jennifer Snyder
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD.
Commitment Level Needed: Students can volunteer with the Food Bank by visiting their volunteer page.
Food Recovery Program
This program is temporarily on hold for 2021.
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. This program works with the national Food Recovery Network.
Council Leaders: Abigail Slaughter and Hope Mills
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: Sign up week by week on MyUMW.
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. The program is on hold until fall 2021, but students can sign up for a training program that will prepare them for volunteer work in the future. This training is useful for psychology, sociology, and education majors, as well as others interested in youth development.
Council Leaders: TBD
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: Students can sign up for a training program that will prepare them for volunteer work in the future. This training is useful for psychology, sociology, and education majors, as well as others interested in youth development.
Falls Run Nursing Home
This program is temporarily on hold for 2021. If you would like to donate items to the donation drive, please drop things off at the Center for Community Engagement.
Spend time with elderly community members in the nursing home playing bingo, making crafts and sharing music together!
Council Leader: Jordan Cooke and Audrey Flavin
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: Volunteers will need a background check, drug test, and TB test. Screening is provided by the facility free of charge the first time you volunteer. Sign up week by week on MyUMW.
Refugee Services
Refugee Employment Services
Help adult refugees with completing job applications and composing resumes. The Refugee Resettlement program of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington has two remote volunteer opportunities:
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- English Tutor: English Tutor and Mentor for Children
- Employment Assistance: Employment and Resume Assistance
Council Leader: TBD
Weekly Meeting Times: TBD
Commitment Level Needed: A longer-term commitment is needed for this program. Students receiving training and an orientation to the program. To sign up, click on the links above.
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 UMWCOAR@gmail.com. There are always plenty of events going on that we need volunteers for!