Community Engagement & Campus Dialogue
Community Engagement
As an Allegheny student, you will have the opportunity to serve at over 30 local agencies around the Meadville community. Through service, you will have the chance to demonstrate your civic commitment to issues such as poverty, homelessness, literacy, environmental protection, and domestic violence. You can also participate in special service events such as Literacy Under the Lights, Service Saturdays, and Alternative Spring Break.
Annual Service Events
Service Saturdays
One Saturday per month students volunteer for various service projects around the Meadville area. Students work from 9 a.m. to noon across the community and can volunteer as a group or individual.
Second Harvest Holiday Food Drive
This daylong drive-through food drive collects tons (literally!) of food and thousands of in-cash donations to benefit nine local food pantries. Volunteers help in 1- or 2-hour shifts to collect, sort, weigh, and pack donations.
Alternative Spring Break
ASB is composed of weeklong issue-focused trips that give students service opportunities in other parts of the country. Students have worked with Habitat for Humanity, Vive La Casa, Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and state and national parks. Students have traveled as far north as Vermont and as far south as New Orleans. Recently, students have gone to Memphis, Tennessee with Living Lands & Waters to help clean up part of the Mississippi River! Over 21,000lbs of trash have been picked up in 4 days with the help of Allegheny students!
Leadership Service Programs
Bonner Program
Bonner Leaders/Scholars commit to 4 years of compensated service to a local agency. The time commitment is 280 hours during the academic year (8-10 hours per week) and 280+ hours over the summer (usually 40 hours a week). Students in the Bonner Program receive professional development training throughout their commitment to the community.
Visit Bonner Website
Virtual Introduction to Meadville
Allegheny College is located in Meadville, a county seat that has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Places to Live. Meadville was founded in 1787 by John Mead and the current population is around 13,000 people. Allegheny students can get involved with the community by taking in the beautiful scenery at local parks and gardens, shopping at local boutiques and stores, participating in service activities, eating at delicious local restaurants, attending local entertainment events, and so much more!
Discover History
David Mead Log Cabin
Shippen Fountain
Discover Parks and Nature
Greendale Cemetery
Facts about Greendale:
- It’s the final resting place for more than 21,000 people
- The archway was built in 1865 at a cost of only $315
- Notable burials:
- Henry Baldwin (judge) (January 14, 1780 – April 21, 1844) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from January 18, 1830, to April 21, 1844
- George Washington’s personal physician during the French & Indian War
- Great place for running and exploring the ravines
- Today over 1500 rhododendrons decorate the grounds
- It has been recognized by American Nurseryman’s and Garden Design magazines for its beautiful park-like grounds that cover over 200 acres
- Pictures: https://www.greendalecemetery.org/nature https://www.greendalecemetery.org/beauty
Grow Meadville – Map of Community Gardens
Learn how to plant produce locally and contribute toward growing a healthier community.
Diamond Park
Different things that happen in Diamond Park from Pop Up Cafes, to summer concerts, the Halloween parade and the Veteran’s Day Parade
Facts about Diamond Park:
- Diamond Park was a gift from David Mead to the city of Meadville in 1795, and was used by residents in many different ways, including drill practice by the Pennsylvania militia led by Mead
- It eventually became surrounded by churches, government buildings, businesses and residences, many of which are still standing today
- Dating to the early 1900s, the Diamond has retained much of its charm
- Various statues and memorials commemorate different historical moments in Meadville’s past, such as one dating back to the Civil War.
Visit one of the most important streams in eastern North America to go fishing, wading (when shallow), or paddling.
Discover Transportation
Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA)
Bus routes are free for Allegheny College students – just show your Allegheny ID when you get on the bus!
Book a trip with the largest bus network across the U.S.
Discover Entertainment, Recreation, and Arts
The Academy Theatre – Enjoy live productions with local talent at The Academy Theatre!
The Kilted Kiln – Spruce up your creative skills and create a pottery masterpiece here!
The Meadville Area Recreational Complex – Go swimming, ice skating, play soccer, head out on a nature walk and so much more!
The Movies at Meadville – See the latest movies with friends and family!
Plaza Lanes – Bowl with friends and family – cosmic nighttime bowling is also available!
Discover Yearly Special Events
Come visit this community market to browse items from local vendors and businesses and enjoy local foods, live music, and entertainment on Chestnut Street each 2nd Saturday of the month between May and September.
Enjoy carnival food, games, rides, live music, award shows, and tons of animals at the annual Crawford County Fair!
Get ready for Halloween with Pennsylvania’s largest nighttime parade with over 100 floats here in Meadville!
Light Up Night
Sing Christmas carols, say hello to Santa as he lights Diamond Park up, and walk around town to enjoy the local shop decorations.
The Civic [Community] Engagement Office has been a place of support and love. I have been a service leader for 4 years and worked alongside the staff. They have helped me enhance my professional skills and supported me in my ambitions.
The Civic [Community] Engagement Office has allowed me to contribute to Allegheny’s steadfast commitment to community service and engagement my own way as a mentor and AVSL for the Big Brother and Big Sisters program. I’m very grateful for the opportunities & experiences the office has offered me as they have sincerely changed my life.
The Civic [Community] Engagement Office kept me motivated to continue my commitment to community service. Thanks to the many programs that this office coordinates, I was able to connect with people and go through experiences that changed my life.
The Civic [Community] Engagement Office has always been there to challenge me to turn my ideas into action, to hold me accountable, and support me every step along the way. Allegheny is incredible for having the Civic Engagement department, who are striving every day to help students give back to the community in meaningful ways.
The Office of Community Engagement has offered me the opportunity to connect with meaningful service groups that enrich not only their community, but also my own education. They have helped me realize what a substantial difference anyone can make in their location and beyond.
