Volunteer Programs

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Alternative Spring Break Trip

Part of the NU VISIONS program, the Alternative Spring Break Trips take students to Washington, D.C., or Philadelphia, PA. In Washington, students stay and work at the CCNV Homeless shelter; tutor area youth; work at "Martha's Table," which makes food for van runs throughout the city to feed the homeless; and lunch with Norwich alumni. A day of sight-seeing is always included. In Philadelphia, the students work with Habitat for Humanity rebuilding houses for low income families. Construction work may include dry walling houses, pouring concrete foundations, and/or painting. Construction or building experience is not necessary. There is a $75 fee for the week, which includes transportation, meals and housing.

Alternative Weekend Trips to Boston

Part of the NU VISIONS program, the Alternative Weekend Trips to Boston give Norwich University students the chance to see one of the oldest cities in America. Students visit this remarkable city in November and/or April (two weekend visits are scheduled each year). There is a $35 fee, which includes transportation, meals, and housing. Students work at "Rosie's Place," which assists homeless and battered women and children; serve meals at the "Pine Street Inn" facilities that house the homeless and rehabilitate men with drug and alcohol addictions; or work at a church soup kitchen, serving food to low income families.

American Red Cross Blood Drives

American Red Cross Blood Drives are held each semester on the Northfield campus. Norwich University students volunteer their time as escorts, assist with registration, and help wherever needed. Blood drives at Norwich are typically very successful and make a significant contribution to the area's blood banks. For information on the American Red Cross, visit its web site at: www.redcross.org.

Clothing and Canned Food Drives

Norwich University students help to organize and coordinate drives to collect clothing and canned food for the local community service organization known as CERV (Community Emergency Relief Volunteers). CERV distributes the collected items to low-income families in the Northfield community.

Habitat for Humanity

Norwich University students may work on one-time projects, when Habitat For Humanity has a project in the Central Vermont area. Students help by renovating houses for low income families. Projects may include framing a room, painting, putting up a roof, etc. For information on Habitat for Humanity chapters in Vermont, visit the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board web site at www.vhcb.org/habitat.html.

Haunted Hayride

The Haunted Hayride is a community event hosted at Norwich University for five nights at the end of October. Norwich University students create and perform at scary stations, portraying such things as zombies, monsters, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, etc. The event is sponsored by the Youth Center and by Project Graduation at the Northfield High School.

Hunger Banquets

Hunger Banquets are part of an educational program during "National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week." During this week, Norwich students take part in a nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. For information on the National Coalition for the Homeless, visit http://www.nationalhomeless.org.

"Make A Difference Day" Activities

"Make A Difference Day" Activities are usually held in October. Norwich University students participate in activities such as food drives, clothing drives, work at the Youth Center, work with CERV sorting clothes, visits to elderly residents at the Senior Center and/or Mayo Assisted Living Clinic, etc.

Mentoring Program

The Youth Mentoring Program connects Norwich University students, through the Vermont Campus Compact, with local, at-risk youth from Northfield, Roxbury, and East Montpelier. Students mentor youth as an exercise in leadership. Mentors act either as study partners or mentors in the style of Big Brother/Big Sister (not affiliated).

Montpelier AIDSWalk

The Montpelier AIDSWalk is held in September and sponsored by Vermont CARES in Montpelier. In the past, students have taken a team to walk in the event. For more information on Vermont CARES, visit their web site at www.vtcares.org.

NU VISIONS

NU VISIONS is an integral part of the University's student volunteer community service program. By immersing students in a variety of community service settings, the program strives to heighten social awareness and advocate lifelong action. Read more about NU VISIONS.

One-to-One Study Partners Program

Norwich University students meet with area youth to help them with homework and social skills in the One-to-One Study Partners Program. It is part of the Youth Mentoring Program.

"Toys for Tots" Drive

With staff, faculty, and student assistance, the Navy and Marine ROTC units collect toys during the annual "Toys for Tots" drive. The toys benefit the youth of low-income families. For more information on the Toys for Tots initiative, visit its web site at: http://www.toysfortots.org.

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Serv-a-thon

Norwich University students work on projects to sustain the environment during the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) Serv-a-thon. The serv-a-thon helps raise money for the VYCC organization. The first year, a team of seven students worked for the Montpelier Parks Service, building a stone retainer wall for the Hubbard Park trail. Last year, a team of 12 students worked with the Yestermorrow Design and Build School to finish part of its building, installing insulation and drywalling the exterior. For more information on the VYCC, visit its web site at: http://www.vycc.org.