Community Partners
20092010 ACE Community Organizations
Banneker Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department
Boys & Girls Club
El Centro Comunal Latino
Fair Trade Bloomington
Fairview Elementary School
Girls Inc.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center
Hoosier Hills Food Bank
Indiana University Task Force on Campus Sustainability
Middle Way House
Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project
MCCSC Adult Education / Office of English Language Learning
Monroe County Public Library
Monroe County United Ministries
Mother Hubbard's Cupboard
My Sister's Closet
People and Animals Learning Services (PALS)
SCCAP Head Start Monroe County
Shalom Community Center
Stone Belt
Templeton Elementary School
Volunteers in Medicine
| Banneker Center The Benjamin Banneker Community Center (part of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation) offers a wide variety of recreational activities for children and families. Service-learners help with daily activities, seasonal events, family-focused sports programs, and structured after school programming. The Center's amenities include a full size gymnasium, library, kitchen, and various other recreation areas Need: Banneker at the View Program: Help local youth interested in learning new things, experiencing different activities and having an all-around great time in our after-school program. This program also includes built-in tutoring time, arts and crafts and snacks daily. Whether you enjoy working with youth or have professional aspirations to, this service opportunity gives you hands-on experience. Assist staff in implementing a variety of children’s activities. Number: 20 service-learning positions for Banneker at the View program. Day/Time: M–F, 3:30–6 pm Commitment: One night per week for the entire semester. Requirements: Orientation
and local criminal background check. Bus: Route 3 Prerequisites: Orientation, criminal background check ACE: Nicole Shelpman, nshelpma@indiana.edu Web: Banneker Center |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters BBBS's mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. Our organization works to achieve this mission through a variety of youth mentoring programs. Volunteers may also get involved in fundraising, marketing, and other positions that do NOT work directly with youth, but support the mission of our agency. *Need/Day and Time/Commitment: Short-term: (Need: Ongoing)
Long-term: (Need: Ongoing)
*Requirements: If mentoring with kids: Interview, background checks, personal references, and training are required. Location: 418 S. Walnut Street Bloomington, IN 47403 Off-site match locations:
ACE: Kyle Rinne, kyrinne@indiana.edu |
| The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department provides a variety of service positions for service-learners working with older adults, individuals with varying degrees of ability, youth in after school programs, adult learners in People’s University, environmental projects, sports and recreation programs, and community events that attract individuals of all ages and creative capacities. Classes, workshops, sporting leagues, trail days and special events are offered throughout the year. Needs: *Rhino’s After School Teen Programs. Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 3–6 p.m., August 12–December 18 at the Rhino’s Community Center Requirements: Orientation and local criminal background check. Students are required to complete their service for program duration. Orientation Location: 401 North Morton Street (Main Office inside City Hall) Prerequisites: Orientation, criminal background check ACE: Emily Rizzo, emrizzo@indiana.edu |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington develops youth to become productive, caring, responsible citizens with a special concern for those most in need. Service-learners work with youth in after school activities including the art, homework help, teen programs, technology, sports and recreation. New for 2009 is a Wednesday afternoon 4:30–6:30 bicycle club. Day/Time: M–F,
3–7 pm. Main Club, 311 South Lincoln StreetNeeds: Volunteers to staff activities and tutor small groups. Also mature volunteers to help with bicycle program. Bus: Route 1 Crestmont Club, 1108 North Summit RoadNeeds:
Requirements: Orientation and criminal background check Orientations: Scheduled as needed Bus: Route 2s ACE: Michael Coleman, mc32@indiana.edu |
| El Centro Comunal Latino provides support to the Spanish-speaking population, and encourages its active participation in the greater Bloomington community. Students and other volunteers work directly on various programs, projects, and events. Volunteer Opportunities: Various programs, projects and events. (Please see Web sites for further details and descriptions.) Time Commitment: Based on volunteering selection. Prerequisites: All levels of Spanish fluency accepted. (Spanish fluency is not required for most volunteer opportunities.) If necessary, orientation and training provided for select volunteer opportunities. Location: El Centro Comunal is located in the Monroe County Public Library ACE: Alyssa Rosch, aerosch@indiana.edu
Web: El Centro Comunal |
| Fair Trade Bloomington is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunity for those living in Bloomington and nearby to contribute to global economic development and poverty relief through education and promotion of products that adhere to fair trade principles. Our current activities include:
What is fair trade? Fair trade is "a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers—especially in the South" (IFAT).
Need: 20 service-learning positions for work in Global Gifts, a Fair Trade retail store on the Bloomington downtown square. Day/Time: M-Th: 10-6, Fri-Sat: 10-8 Commitment: Two shifts per month for the entire Fall semester. Requirements: Orientation and references required. Location: 122 North Walnut St., Bloomington, IN Email: fairtradebloomington@gmail.com ACE: Gabrielle Cheikh, gcheikh@umail.iu.edu |
| Fairview Elementary School: The faculty and staff at Fairview elementary school endeavor, through usage of appropriate curriculum, to provide an educational environment which promotes creativity and prepares students to be productive citizens. With the cooperative involvement of students, teachers, parents, and community, the staff acknowledges the responsibility for implementing this mission statement. Needs: Classroom aides, recess aides, tutors, office assistants, volunteer librarians. Prerequisite: Orientation and criminal background check Location: 627 West Eighth Street Bus: Route 3 West; get off the bus at Kirkwood & Rogers, and walk north three blocks. ACE: Sarah Pennal sapennal@indiana.edu |
| Girls Inc. Girls Incorporated of Monroe County provides after-school, holiday, and full-day summer programming to girls ages 6–18 that helps them develop the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to grow into confident, strong, independent women. Service learners and volunteers are needed to assist in programs, tutor, help with sports leagues, and interact with girls as positive role models encouraging them to become strong, smart, and bold. Day/Time: After school programming is M–F, 2:30-6:00 pm. Sports leagues run M–Tr 6:00–9:00 pm. Commitment: 2 hrs/week commitment is required Prerequisites: Application (found on our website), on-site orientation, and background check Location: 1108 West 8th Street Bloomington, IN 47404 |
| Hilltop Garden and Nature Center provides educational and recreational opportunities in gardening and horticulture to the Bloomington community. The five-acre-plus facility includes a nature center, greenhouses, and outdoor planting areas. Hilltop provides year-round opportunities for student participation, including internships and experiential classes in garden management. Other programming includes summer garden programs for children and teens, therapeutic horticulture programs for older adults and the disabled, community garden programs, home-school programs, and preschool programs. We're open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, rain or shine. Until the weather gets warmer, we're closed on Sundays. Make sure to call ahead if you'd like a tour of the grounds and the greenhouses. We've always got something fun growing on at Hilltop! Needs: Event planning and marketing, manual labor, website work, sculptures, small construction projects, media outreach, general gardening tasks, and community outreach. Committment: 2 or more hours a week Location: 2367 E. 10th St. |
| Hoosier Hills Food Bank collects, stores, and distributes nutritious food products to nonprofit organizations, which provide free feeding programs that serve both ill and needy families and individuals in Monroe, Martin, Owen, Orange, Brown, and Lawrence Counties in Central Indiana. Need:
Day/Time:
Commitment: Varies depending on program; volunteer every week or just one time! Requirements: Brief orientation; wear closed-toed shoes and dress for weather. Location: 2333 Industrial Park Dr. Bus: No nearby bus route. Please find transportation or call to arrange carpooling. |
| The Indiana University Office of Sustainability Students at IU have the opportunity to create a more sustainable campus through service-learning for many different areas of campus. Sustainability research and implementation at IU continue in the areas of Education & Outreach, Resource Use/Recycling, Energy, Built Environment, Environmental Quality/Land Use, Transportation, and Food. Need: Volunteers can contact the IU Sustainability ACE for information about possible service-learning projects Commmitment: Varies depending on project Prerequisites: Brief meeting with ACE Location: Various locations throughout IU Bloomington's campus ACE: Alexis Suskin-Sperry, afsuskin@indiana.edu |
Middle Way House: Middle Way House provides services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. We offer emergency shelter for battered women and their dependent children, as well as crisis intervention services, referrals, and support on our 24 hour crisis line (812) 336-0846. Additional services supported by volunteer work include legal advocacy, domestic and sexual violence support group, on-scene advocacy, and economic development opportunities. Volunteer Opportunities: Service-learners are encouraged to assist with the Crisis Line, House Management, Legal Advocacy program, and Building Healthy Relationships program. Days and time commitment vary on the program for which you volunteer. Volunteers typically work 2–4 hours a week, although some choose to do more. Requirement: One of the following 8-hour trainings: Sept. 12, Sept. 26, or Dec. 5, 2009. The Rise (Middle Way's Transitional Housing Program): The Rise is a service enriched transitional housing program for families headed by women who have experienced domestic violence and homelessness. On-site programs for families include adult tutoring, childcare, youth empowerment programming, mother's support group, and more. Volunteer Opportunities: Service Learners are encouraged to assist with youth programs, childcare, and adult tutoring. Volunteers who are able to make a 1-year commitment may apply to become a mentor for a school-age child living at the Rise. Days and time commitment vary on the program for which you volunteer. Volunteers typically work 2-4 hours a week, although some choose to do more. Requirement: One of the following 8-hour trainings: Sept. 12, Sept. 26, or Dec. 5, 2009. Location: Middle Way House and the Rise are close to downtown and on the city busline. Phone: (812) 337-4510 ACE: Darian Stahl, dgstahl@indiana.edu Web: Rise Middleway House |
| Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project is an all volunteer effort that strives to encourage self-education among prisoners in the United States. By providing free reading materials upon request, we hope to aid in the rehabilitation process and stimulate critical thinking behind bars. Service-learners and volunteers read letters sent by prisoners, respond to them by finding the books they have requested, writing the prisoners a letter, and then packaging the books. Students and other volunteers also have the opportunity to help with other aspects of the organization like fund-raising, soliciting book donations, and educating their peers and the community about prison issues. Need: Service-learners and volunteers to respond to prisoners' requests for books. Day/Time: M, 7–9 pm, Tr, 7–10 pm, Su, 2–5 pm. Commitment: 2 hours a week Requirements: Orientation with ACE/Head Volunteers Location: 118 S. Rogers, Suite #2, on the corner of 4th Street and Rodgers. Bus: 3 (stops directly across from Pages) ACE: Searle Slutzkin, seaslutz@indiana.edu |
| MCCSC Adult Education / Office of English Language Learning The Monroe County Community School Corporation Adult Education program offers individualized instruction and guidance to teen and adult learners who seek to improve basic skills or learn new ones to create better opportunities for themselves and their families. By bridging past educational experiences and future educational success, we increase literacy and promote lifelong learning through a student-directed approach, in partnership with caring and professional teachers. Volunteers make Adult Education a caring, community-based program. Need:
ACE: Alaura Rutertories, artrbrs@yahoo.edu Web:http://www.adult.mccsc.edu/ Office of English Language Learning offers several volunteer opportunities. Service-learners support families and K–12 students by assisting in tutoring, homework help, classroom assistance to teachers, family literacy education, childcare, interpreting at parent conferences, translation of school materials, helping to welcome families fully into the Bloomington community and aiding in their adaptation to our school system. Need:
Commitment: For tutors the commitment will be a minimum of 1–2 hours per week for an entire semester. The commitment for all other opportunities is based on the amount of time the volunteer is willing to donate. (The specific time schedules will be arranged around the volunteer's availability.) Requirements: Mandatory Orientation/training with a criminal background check, universal precautions training, professionalism training, and service-learning training. Orientation: Contact the ACE below. Location: Office of English Language Learning is located at the MCCSC Temporary Administration Center, 401 E. Miller Drive. See the website www.mccsc.edu for specific school locations. Bus: Route 1 to MCCSC Administration Building, various routes to city schools Prerequisites: Volunteer application, orientation, criminal background check, and Universal Precautions training ACE: Alaura Ruterbories, artrbrs@yahoo.edu Online Volunteer Application: click here |
| Monroe County Public Library offers a year round array of programs and services for all ages. Service-learners are needed to help manage the Preschool Exploration Center, an interactive environment for children ages birth to seven and their caregivers. We are also seeking service-learners to help us develop new marketing and community outreach techniques, create displays, and evaluate patron information seeking behavior within the library. Other opportunities may arise throughout the year. Day/Time: M–TR 9:30 am–9:00 pm, F 9:30 am–6:00 pm, Sat 9:30 am–5:00 pm, Sun 1:30 pm–5:00 pm Commitment: varies Prerequisites: Orientation Location: 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. Bus: Routes 1, 3, 4, 5ACE: Kaitlin King, kik@indiana.edu |
| Monroe County United Ministries is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that has been providing social services in Monroe County since 1939. Currently MCUM provides affordable childcare to working families and basic needs assistance to Monroe County residents in crisis. Need: 6–8 volunteers to staff the food pantry on a regular basis along with 4–6 regular childcare volunteers Day/Time: M–F, 8:00 am–4:00 pm for the food pantry, 9:00 am–11:30 am or 2:30–5:00pm for the daycare. Commitment: Pantry volunteers can volunteer as little as 2 hours a month. There are 6–8 volunteers needed to commit on a weekly basis. Childcare volunteers don't have a minimum commitment, but need a consistent commitment (i.e., every Monday or every other Wednesday). Requirements: Some food pantry jobs may require volunteers to lift up to 35 lbs. Most jobs will require a short orientation, while daycare volunteers will undergo a longer orientation. Location: 827 W. 14th Court next to Tri-North Middle School and Mills Pool Bus: Route 2ACE: Vince Stange, vstange@indiana.edu |
| Mother Hubbard's Cupboard is a food pantry that provides the Bloomington community with free, healthful, and when available, local and organic produce and foodstuffs. In addition to providing food five days a week to people in need, MHC has a Community Gardening Program, run by patrons and volunteers. The gardens are settings for education and workshops, and during the growing season, they provide the pantry with fresh and nutritious food. MHC also offers a Nutrition Program that includes seminars on health, a library on healthy living, and endless supplies of handouts and recipes. Need:
Day/Time:
Commitment: 3 hours a week for Pantry volunteer, 2 hours for Garden Volunteers, Nutrition Education Volunteer 1–5 hours per week, Shopping/ Delivery Volunteer 2–3 hours a week every other week. Requirements: Orientation with ACE Ashley Troth
Bus: Route 1 South ACE: Ashley Troth, atroth@indiana.edu |
| My Sister's Closet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to provide work force attire to low-income women pursuing employment. We also sell the gently used, quality, affordable clothes to the public. We have a wonderful variety of suits, pants, skirts, blouses, sweaters, and accessories. We can help get you launched into your new career, interview, or internship and still remain within your budget. My Sister’s Closet offers a worthy place for you to drop off your gently used clothing and accessories. We accept clean and smoke-free suits, pants, skirts, blouses, sweaters, jackets, shoes and a variety of accessories to compliment any outfit! Please know that your donations DO make a difference in the lives of local women. We respectfully request that all donations adhere to our guidelines of accepting only female professional attire (no mens, childrens, workout or undergarments). Thank you! Please drop off your clothing donation, during store hours at:
Current Volunteer Opportunities: Fundraising Assist with web development / IT needs Make presentations to groups on MSC's behalf Write grant applications / research Create brochures, flyers Publicity Accounting / Bookkeeping Donation assistance (Monetary/In-kind gifts) Correspondence via letters and phone calls Location: 1010 S. Walnut St. ACE: Jessie Gutgsell, jkgutgse@indiana.edu |
| People and Animal Learning Services (PALS) is a nonprofit Equine Assisted Program providing therapeutic riding for children and adults with disabilities and at-risk youth. PALS follows the safety standards developed by NARHA and uses NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors who are trained in therapeutic riding techniques, CPR, first aid, and safety. PALS uses carefully selected and specially trained horses and other animals, to provide the safest and highest quality learning for a therapeutic environment. PALS treats its riders as individuals, focusing on ability rather than disability. PALS serves individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. All PALS riders are carefully evaluated by a medical professional and/or a NARHA certified therapeutic riding instructor to ensure that the most appropriate education and therapy plan is developed to meet specific physical, cognitive and therapeutic needs. Depending on each student’s needs and abilities, rider’s lessons last 30-45 minutes. 2009 PALS Lesson Schedule
Volunteer opportunities
Day/Time Weekly Leading/Sidewalking Volunteer Shifts at PALS are:
Requirements We are always excited about gaining new volunteers at PALS. Volunteers must be over 14 years of age and horse experience is not required! In order to get volunteers familiar with our program, they participate in a volunteer training and orientation to get hands-on experience with horses which will help prepare them for lessons. Orientations are usually held at the beginning f each session. Mailing Address: PO Box 1033, Bloomington, IN 47402 Directions From Rogers Street: |
| SCCAP Head Start Monroe County Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income families. The children who attend Head Start are 3–6 years old and the school is open M–F, 6:30 am–5:30 pm. Head Start serves approximately 200 families at 8 sites around Monroe County. Service-learners help teach children cognitive skills, patience, sharing, problem-solving, hygiene, safety and practice in good decision-making and assist parents at evening and weekend Council of Involved Families events. Prerequisites: Orientation, criminal background check, TB test Orientation: scheduled as needed, contact the ACE Commitment: 1 to 2 hours a week Location: 1502 West 15th Street, corner of 15th and Lindbergh Bus: Route 2 ACE: Theresa Caluag, trcaluag@indiana.edu |
| Shalom Commuity Center is a safe, daytime resource center for those who are experiencing homelessness or poverty, providing breakfast and lunch M–F as well as referrals, social service contacts, job help, toiletries, baby supplies, clothes, groceries, shower, laundry facilities, and Internet access. Service-learners can assist as kitchen or hospitality volunteers. Kitchen volunteers assist with food and beverage preparation, serve, wash dishes, and clean up for breakfast and lunch. Hospitality Volunteers work the front desk, help empower guests through communication and conversation, answer the phone, record and distribute messages, give referral information, and distribute mail. Volunteers also register guests for showers, to do their laundry, and to check items in and out of long and short-term storage. They also assist in the computer lab, help in job and housing searches, and in the daily operations of the Center. Location: Main Center—110 South Washington
(use South entrance), Dining Hall— 219 East 4th Street, basement,
First United Methodist Church (use North entrance), Administrative
Office—219 East 4th Street, third floor of the First United
Methodist Church (use North entrance). |
| Stone Belt Arc provides services to people with developmental disabilities. Stone Belt assists more than 1,000 adults and children through early intervention services, group homes, supported living apartments, manufacturing services employment, work and life skills education, as well as job placement within the community. Service-learners connect with people with developmental disabilities in residential, employment and community settings. Volunteer Opportunities: Many other opportunities available! Prerequisite: Volunteer Orientation and Tuberculosis Screening (free) Location: 2815 East 10th Street, corner of 10th and 45/46 Bypass Bus: Campus E (M–F) A/E (Sa), Route 6, C Route ACE: Crystal Alley, calley@stonebelt.org Web: Stone Belt |
| Templeton Elementary School
At Templeton, service-learners assist children and teachers in classrooms and family programming. Needs:
Day/Time: M–F, 9–3, some evenings Commitment: 1–3 Hours per week; volunteers need to be regular and dependable Orientations: Sept. 16, 7:00 pm; Sept. 18, 3:30 pm Location: 1400 South Brenda Lane Bus: Route 7; see Bloomington Transit for map and schedule Prerequisites: Orientation, criminal background check ACE: Kathryn Goodwin, kkgoodwi@indiana.edu |
| Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) is a community-owned,
community-operated, and community-financed free medical clinic serving
Monroe and Owen counties. Needs: Volunteers to work weekly shifts in various departments and roles; Volunteers to take on projects on- or off-site. Location: 811 West Second Street |






















