Community Involvement Center

Volunteer Involvement Program

The Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) is a student-run community service program. The VIP is part of WSUSA; it's leadership is comprised of a VP of Service, an assistant director, 4 directors and 16 chairs. 

These student leaders are responsible for promoting community service within the student body and making community service opportunities accessible to students. They direct specific projects whose descriptions follow.

 VP of Service: Julia Saxton  Assistant Director: Trevor Annis 
 Julia Saxton Trevor Annis 

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Alternative Spring Break

Alternative Spring Break is a week-long service project in distant communities that gives students an opportunity to participate in community service and hands-on learning experiences during spring break. Students address issues of poverty, hunger, and social injustice. Volunteers may also provide vital humanitarian aid and disaster relief at home and abroad. 

In the past, students have tutored orphans and built schools in Mexico, aided flood recovery in Washington, repaired property on American Indian reservations, and built homes for low-income families in the Pacific Northwest.

Chair: Heather Gray

Heather Gray

Contact: wsu.alternativespringbreak@gmail.com

Click here for the 2013 ASB Application


Best Buddies

Best Buddies is a college-based volunteer program that promotes fun and special friendships between university students and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Buddies have frequent one-on-one activities and six outings each year. The CIC partners with Ogden City schools for this project.

Director: Landon Stoker
Chair:  Skyler Nguyen
Landon Stoker
 



Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club is an after-school and summer program that offers a safe, positive place for kids to participate in recreational and educational activities. Volunteers are positive role models who give kids a sense of competence, usefulness and belonging. WSU students coordinate field trips to campus to promote awareness of higher education opportunities and engage the youth in fun and enriching educational workshops.

Chair: Adam Davidson



Contact: wsu.boysandgirlsclub@gmail.com


Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap is a community partnership WSU has with local retirement homes and assisted living centers that creates relationships between younger generations and senior citizens. Field trips with the elderly and regular visits to senior centers provide fun and unique opportunities for students to get to know, serve and bring joy to seniors.

Chair: Stuart Call

Contact: wsu.bridgingthegap@gmail.com


Done-in-a-Day

Done-in-a-Day gives WSU students with limited time opportunities to participate in one-time, short-term service projects.

Students are able to drop in and serve on campus at the Service Nook in the Community Involvement Center. Meaningful projects will be coordinated through local non-profit organizations each week. Come and see what we've go going on this week in SU 321.

Chair: Madison LeMelle

Madison LeMelle 

Contact: wsu.doneinday@gmail.com


Environmental Issues

The Environmental Initiatives Committee researches environmental issues and concerns and helps implement practical solutions to address those issues. Special projects and seminars are hosted at WSU to educate students and the WSU community about environmental stewardship.

Each semester the committee sponsors the "Light Bulb Exchange," participates in community clean-ups, hosts activities during Earth Week, educates elementary school students about recycling, and maintains a community orchard on campus.

Chair: LeRoy Christensen 

LeRoy Christensen

Contact: wsu.environmentalinitiatives@gmail.com


Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with low-income families in Weber and Davis counties, and around the world. Homeowners and volunteers meet each week to build under trained supervision as partner families complete hundreds of service hours toward earning the privilege of homeownership.

Chair: Jason Davis

Jason Davis

Contact: wsu.habitatforhumanity@gmail.com

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity


Head Start

Head Start is a program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through educational, health and social services. WSU students prepare children for elementary school by helping them develop valuable learning skills that give them an academic head start and benefit them throughout their school careers.

Chair: Lacey Johnson



Contact: wsu.headstart@gmail.com

Learn more about Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership (OWCAP)


Homeless Projects

The Homeless Projects Committee at WSU works with St. Anne's Center and the Ogden Rescue Mission to help the homeless. Students provide food and other essential items to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families.

Volunteers have an opportunity to get to know the homeless in our community and then educate their peers about the causes of homelessness and what local agencies are doing to help.

Chair: Courtnie Moore

Courtnie Moore


Contact: wsu.homelessprojects@gmail.com


Special Olympics Teams

For people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics is often the only place where they have an opportunity to participate in their communities and build their self-confidence. Many endure lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools or society. WSU volunteers provide a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy for the Special Olympics athletes. 

Co-Director: Natalie Pruess  
Co-Director: Camille Carver
 Natalie Pruess
Camille Carver
Team Chair: Debbie Reese Team Chair: Joseph Maes
Debbie Reese
Joseph Maes

Special Olympics Winter Games

Students on this committee coordinate the Winter Games for Utah Special Olympics. During this two-day event, over 600 people volunteer. The volunteers not only assist with planning the event months in advance but also serve at Powder Mountain during the event.

Director: Chelsea Bacon 
Public Relations Chair: Livvy Gerrish 
Chelsea Bacon 
 Livvy Gerrish
Sports Chair: Mackenzie Bushman    Service Chair: Kaitlyn Brough
Mackenzie Bushman 
Kaitlyn Brough 

Contact: wsu.sowintergames@gmail.com


Special Service Opportunities

Students may choose to volunteer for American Red Cross blood drives, domestic and international humanitarian aid projects, or traditional WSU programs such as Make a Difference Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Sub for Santa, Toys for Tots, the Angel Tree, or Christmas Tree Express.

Chair: Laura Preece 
 Laura Preece

Contact: wsu.specialevents@gmail.com


Weber Cares

The Weber Cares program is comprised of two options for students who are experiencing food insecurity: the food pantry is available for students to fill bags with needed food, and the voucher program is designed to give students a more immediate assistance option. The purposes of these programs are to increase healthy eating options, decrease food insecurity, and increase students' ability to stay in school and finish their degree. You can help by hosting a food drive or staffing the pantry.

Chair: Tess Woodward


Your Community Connection 

Your Community Connection (YCC) provides services to support and enhance the quality of life for women, children, and families. WSU students participate in domestic violence awareness events such as Real Men Can Cook. Volunteers attend gym nights designed to mentor and tutor young children, and they sponsor clothing and food drives for local families. 

WSU students may volunteer in the following three areas after receiving training provided by the YCC: The Family Enrichment Center, The Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Center, and The Rape Crisis Program - Volunteer Rape Survivor Advocates.

Chair: Alexis Holbert

 


Alexis Holbert

Contact: wsu.ycc@gmail.com

Learn more about the YCC


YMCA After-School Program

YMCA is a program to help youth develop to their fullest in spirit, mind, and body by incorporating the core values of caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility. The Y focuses on behavioral expectations, strong curriculum, and opportunities for youth participation and development. 

WSU students volunteer to support the Y's four core components: Homework Support, Health & Well being, Arts & Culture, and Science. These components provide broad categories for daily after-school and summer program activities, projects, and clubs. WSU students provide hands-on activities and enrichment opportunities for YMCA youth to become excited about their educational futures.

Chair: Kyle Oborn

 Kyle Oborn

Contact: wsu.ymca@gmail.com

Learn more about the YMCA


Weber State University, Community Involvement Center

Ogden, Utah 84408

801-626-7737