Get Involved
There are numerous opportunities to engage with the Allegheny community, both on and off campus. Through our student leadership programs and organizations, you’ll have the chance to participate in volunteer work and service projects, which can pave the way for continued service after graduation.
Allegheny Service Organizations
Several student-run organizations work in collaboration with the Community Engagement Office and have a strong commitment to community service. Service groups include:
- Alternative Spring Break
- E=MC2
- Food Rescue
- French Creek Food Hub Mobile Market
- Habitat for Humanity
- Youth Service Corps
- Youth Sports Mentoring Program
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.
Make a Difference Day
Join fellow students and community members to complete projects in the local community. Projects range from raking leaves to building wheelchair ramps! Gather a group to create a team, and look for registration opportunities.
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. The trips change every year, so keep an eye out in the spring for more information!
Global Youth Service Day
Youth across Crawford County gather at Allegheny to partake in several service projects throughout the day. You and your fellow peers will have the opportunity to assist in this experience by being group leaders for the projects and mentors.
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.
Become a Bonner Leader Visit Bonner WebsiteThe Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA Project
The mission of Lake Effect Leaders (LEL), as a regional partnership of higher education institutions, is to build the capacity of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and schools to collaboratively address issues related to poverty. LEL places 15+ VISTA members regionally to build capacity in the areas of economic development, education, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. Learn more about the Lake Effect Leaders by visiting The Lake Effect Leaders website or contact the Project Director, Eva Thomas, at ethomas@allegheny.edu.
