1-2 Year General Online Resources - Volunteer and Community Service
Overview of Volunteer and Service Opportunities - please click here.
The following websites link job seekers with positions and programs through search engines and indexes. Through these websites, you will have access to information about hundreds -- if not thousands – of positions. Use the table below to help navigate the list.
Online Search Engines
Action Without Borders
http://www.idealist.org/career/oneyearservice.html
This website provides a wide range of job and internship opportunities in nonprofit and community organizations,as well as a long list of one-year service opportunities in the United States Idealist.org is a great place to begin your search.
Catholic Network of Volunteer Service www.cnvs.org
CNVS is a national association of faith-based volunteer programs. The website provides extensive lists of programs, a search engine to access them, and general information about volunteering.
Civic House at Penn
Civic House can help prepare you to pursue a career in the not-for-profit world, government, education, and other public interest fields. Take a look at the resources below and stop by Civic House for more information.
The Environmental Career Opportunities ecojobs.com
This is an excellent site for exploring opportunities in the field of environmental protection and advocacy. It contains links to internships and jobs as well as environmental career information.
International Volunteer Programs Association www.volunteerinternational.org “The International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) is an alliance of nonprofit, non-governmental organizations based in North America that are involved in international volunteer and internship exchanges.” IVAP is not a program itself; rather, it provides potential volunteers with links to volunteer organizations and with general information and resources relating to volunteering.
Quaker Information Center www.quakerinfo.org
This site contains sixteen lists with a “smorgasbord of hundreds of opportunities, ranging from weekend workcamps through year-long internships to two- year, Peace-Corps type programs, domestic and international, Quaker and non-Quaker.” Be sure to read the explanatory notes before visiting the lists.
Websites of Specific Programs (and Selected Notes and Website quotes!)
The following are large and fairly well-known programs that have traditionally been of interest to Penn students. They are by no means the only opportunities available, so explore other options as well.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) www.afsc.org
“The American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims, AFSC's work attracts the support and partnership of people of many races, religions, and cultures.” This organization’s headquarters is located in Philadelphia. Look under “Jobs” on the website for volunteer opportunities in this area and for potential opportunities elsewhere in the U.S. AFSC also sponsors fellowships for advanced study in specific areas related to AFSC programs.
Americorps www.americorps.org
“AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve through more than 2,100 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations.” The website contains extensive listings for state and national opportunities, as well as information on the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Check website for updates on the funding situation and contact AmeriCorps for further info.
City Hall Fellows www.cityhallfellows.org
In a nutshell, City Hall Fellows is “Teach for America, for local government.” City Hall Fellows’ goal is to connect the next generation of civic leaders with the opportunity to make significant change at the grassroots, local level of government. Each City Hall Fellow will spend one year in a prestigious, full-time position within city government. During 2008-2009, Fellows will be placed in Houston, Texas and San Francisco, California. The program was designed with the full support of Houston Mayor Bill White and the office of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. City Hall Fellows was created by alumni of the 40-year-old New York City Urban Fellows program, and is modeled on that highly successful initiative.
Green Corps: Environmental Leadership Training Program www.greencorps.org
“Green Corps' one-year, full-time, paid Environmental Leadership Training Program gives you top-notch training to launch a career in organizing and activism. In thirteen months, we will turn your passion for environmental change into the concrete skills and experiences it takes to be a leader in the environmental movement. Our three-part training program includes intensive classroom training, hands-on experience running urgent environmental and public health campaigns, and placement in permanent leadership positions with leading environmental groups.”
Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org/cncs
“Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable, houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 150,000 houses in more than 89 countries, including some 50,000 houses across the United States.” HFH partners with VISTA and Americorps in addition to providing employment and volunteer opportunities at its national headquarters.
Inner-City Teaching Corps (ICTC) www.ictc-chicago.org
“ICTC Volunteer Teaching Corps places recent college graduates as classroom teachers in the inner-city of Chicago.” Volunteers serve for two years and participate in a specially designed summer training program for non-education majors teaching in the inner city.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) www.jesuitvolunteercorps.org
“JVC has become the largest Catholic lay volunteer program in the country… Hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country count on Jesuit Volunteers to provide essential services to low-income people and those who live on the margins of our society.Jesuit Volunteers serve the homeless, the unemployed, refugees, people with AIDS, the elderly, street youth, abused women and children, the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled.” Volunteers serve for one year (renewable). JVC also has an international division – JVI – which places volunteers in 11 countries worldwide.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme www.jetprogramme.org
“The JET Programme was started with the purpose of increasing mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of other nations. It aims to promote internationalisation in Japan's local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and developing international exchange at the community level.” Participants either work in governmental and related organizations or instruct Japanese students in English language education. The length of service is one year, and can be renewed for up to three years. JET provides compensation equivalent to yearly Japanese living expenses.
Jewish Coalition for Service www.jewishservice.org
“The Jewish Coalition for Service is a network of Jewish service organizations that provide opportunities for Jewish youth and adults to engage in tikkun olam, repair the world.” JCS provides resources for long-term Jewish service opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally.
Peace Corps www.peacecorps.gov
“Currently, 6,678 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in 70 countries, working to bring clean water to communities, teach children, help start new small businesses, and stop the spread of AIDS [and much, much more]. Since 1961, more than 168,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 136 nations.” Volunteer terms of service are generally two years plus several months training. The extensive Peace Corps website will provide in-depth information about benefits, jobs, living situation, etc.
Philly Fellows www.phillyfellows.org
Philly Fellows is a year-long post-graduate fellowship program which offers top graduates of Philadelphia area colleges and universities opportunities to engage in the city's vibrant neighborhoods and diverse non-profit agencies. Philly Fellows brings together the college, civic,
non-profit and corporate communities to accomplish the dual mission of encouraging young, educated graduates to remain in Philadelphia and empowering the city's cultural, educational and social service organizations.
Princeton
in Asia www.princeton.edu/~pia/
Princeton in Asia is a non-profit foundation providing young Americans with various opportunities to live and work as year-long interns in Asia. “The majority of interns are employed as English teachers at universities, colleges and high schools. There are also some specialized positions in business, international development, journalism, and teaching of technical subjects.”
Teach For America www.teachforamerica.org
“Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand opportunity for children.” The website gives info on the impact of AmeriCorps changes upon TFA.
NYC Urban Fellows Program http://home.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/urbanfellows.html
“The Urban Fellows Program has earned a reputation for being deeply committed to the highest standards of excellence in public service. This prestigious nine-month program combines full-time employment in City government with a comprehensive seminar series exploring the mechanics of local government, as well as some important issues facing the City. Urban Fellows … work in virtually every area, from the budget process to agency operations, low income housing to affordable health care, and education to economic development.”
Volunteers in Asia(VIA) www.volasia.org
“Every year, VIA sends between 30 - 40 English teachers [college grads] on a life-changing adventure to Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and China. Our mission and method are simple. We provide Asian host institutions with needed resources, while at the same time offering volunteers a unique opportunity to become a valued member of an Asian community.” Volunteer term of commitment is typically 1- 2 years.
WorldTeach www.worldteach.org (NOT .com!)
WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at the Center for International Development at Harvard University which provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as [summer, nine-month, or year-long] volunteer teachers in developing countries. WorldTeach involves participation fees for most programs.
Resources in the Career Services Library
The Career Services Library is located just inside the main entrance to the Career Center McNeil Building, Suite 20
International Opportunities Section:
Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Directory of Third World and U.S. Volunteer Opportunities, Joan Powell, Editor
Directory of Jobs and Careers Abroad, Elizabeth Roberts
Finding Voluntary Work Abroad, Mark Hempshell
International Directory of Voluntary Wor, Louise Whetter and Victoria Pybus
The Peace Corps and More: 175 Ways to Work, Study, and Travel at Home and Abroad, Medea Benjamin and Miya Rodolfo-Sioson
So You Want to Join the Peace Corps: What to Know Before You Go, Dillon Banerjee
Volunteer! The Comprehensive Guide to Voluntary Service in the U.S. and Abroad, Center on International Educational Exchange (1997)
Internships / Summer Jobs Section
Invest Yourself: The Catalogue of Volunteer Opportunities, Susan Angus, Editor
International Voluntary Service, Volunteers for Peace.org
Fellowship Information
If you are interested in learning more about fellowship and research opportunities, be sure to check out:
Fundraising Information
For self-designed programs and programs with fees, you may be interested in raising funds on your own. The following website has some helpful information about doing so:
International Volunteer Programs Association:
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/index-resources2.htm
