Service Opportunities for Majors in
ARTS & HUMANITIES
Community service involves applying your energy, enthusiasm, skills, and desire to make a difference to social issues that concern you. It is an excellent way to gain hands-on experience, enhance job-related skills, explore career options, and meet real community needs. The following are just a few examples of how you can get involved in a service project related to majors in arts and the humanities.

· AMERICAN STUDIES:
Present programs in schools on different aspects of American culture and history; help a faculty member or graduate assistant with research; gain experience with different cultural groups in the U.S. by volunteering in shelters, Veterans Administration hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.

· ARTS:
o Music: Offer instrument lessons to shelter residents, children living in poverty, people who are elderly; do performances in shelters, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes; donate proceeds of shows and concerts to non-profit organizations.
o Theatre: Put on plays in local shelters, schools, and nursing homes; teach acting in a community center; work with shelter residents to put on a play; assist a drama therapist.
o Dance: Put on free performances in shelters, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and drug rehabilitation clinics; offer a class in a local community center; teach children cultural dances; assist with a dance therapy program.
o Art/Art History & Archaeology: Donate time to non-profit organizations to design brochures, annual reports, logos, and other publications; teach classes in community centers, nursing homes, shelters, and schools; volunteer to give tours in art museums; visit local schools to promote appreciation for the arts and encourage careers in the arts; volunteer with an arts council; lobby for funding for the arts; assist a professor with archeological research.

· COMMUNICATIONS:
Present workshops in shelters and schools about public speaking and assertiveness training; help international students who are taking speech courses prepare and practice; teach children how to communicate across cultures; volunteer your services to a local political candidate; assist non-profit organizations to develop and implement public relations strategies.

· ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE:
Tutor fellow Maryland students or elementary and secondary school students in writing; organize book readings and discussions in schools, shelters, nursing homes, and hospitals; donate time to non-profit organizations to write brochures, manuals, funding proposals, and other publications; get involved with organizations that work to end illiteracy; help international Maryland students with papers; volunteer to read to people who are blind.

· FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES:
Offer to do translations for people learning English; teach English as a second language; assist people who do not speak English; volunteer with a refugee relief organization doing cultural mentoring and translation; offer a class in a foreign language to shelter residents, the elderly, and children; visit schools and present programs on the importance of being multilingual.

· HISTORY:
Tutor other Maryland students, elementary and secondary school students, and adults in basic literacy courses; be a teacher's aid; do research with a graduate student or professor; visit schools and present historical programs; work in museums, in archives or as a docent; gather oral histories from veterans, participants in civil rights issues, Holocaust victims, etc.

· JEWISH STUDIES:
Volunteer at a Hebrew School; tutor B'nai Mitzvah students; organize discussion groups in a local synagogue; volunteer at a Hebrew Home for elderly adults; assist with programs at the local Jewish Community Center; become an advisor for a local Jewish youth group chapter; do presentations in synagogues or Hebrew schools on Jewish history or philosophy; work on a local Jewish newspaper; serve with pro-Israel political action groups.

· LINGUISTICS:
Help non-profit organizations write proposals for grants and funding; help organizations prepare training manuals and other written materials; tutor other Maryland students; help international students write papers; lead workshops in schools on cross-cultural counseling.

· PHILOSOPHY:
Lead discussions in classes, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and elementary and secondary schools on ethics; volunteer with organizations that provide conflict resolution and mediation services; tutor other Maryland students taking Philosophy courses.

· WOMEN'S STUDIES:
Volunteer at a rape crisis hotline; be a court companion to women involved in battery and rape cases; volunteer at a women's center; help at a women's health clinic; work with non-profit organizations that are concerned with women's issues; work with political advocacy and watch groups concerned with legislation affecting women; lobby for increased funding for research into women's health issues; volunteer at a shelter for battered women; organize self defense and rape awareness courses for women and girls; encourage women and girls to enter traditionally male dominated fields; volunteer with organizations that work with women who are refugees; mentor a girl.

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Washington, DC (202) 307-5220 x 105
Contact: Wendy Will, wwill@agbell.org
http://www.agbell.org
Through publications, outreach, training, scholarships, and financial aid, AG Bell promotes the use of spoken language and hearing technology. AG Bell supports its mission: Advocating Independence through Listening and Talking!

American Association of University Women
Washington, DC (202) 785-7792
Contact: Kim Harris, aauwjobs@aauw.org
A women's organization focusing on equity for women and girls. Offers fellowships to women in science and provides a legal advocacy fund for women fighting for tenure with universities.

Arlington County Parks: Bilingual Outreach
Arlington, VA (703) 228-6421
Contact: Janice Covert, jcover@co.arlington.va.us
Helps economically disadvantaged immigrants and refugees adjust to a new life through free services. Works to build stronger communities by helping residents move toward self-sufficiency. Offers ESL classes, Spanish literacy, and citizenship classes.

Calvary Women's Shelter
Washington, DC (202) 783-6651
Contact: Ericka Ransom, cwsvolcoord@aol.com
http://www.calvaryservices.org
Houses 25 single homeless women each night. Provides a safe, caring place and support, hope, and change for tomorrow. Volunteers assist staff during evenings and supervise the shelter overnight.

Center for Multicultural Human Services
Falls Church, VA (703) 533-3302 x 107
Contact: Ellen Klene, eklene@cmhs.org
http://www.cmhsweb.org
CMHS offers a broad range of mental health, social, educational health and language services geared to the unique values and characteristics of individuals and families from diverse cultures. Volunteers play an important role in serving clientele.

City Lights School
Washington, DC (202) 832-4366
Contact: Iris Lewis, ilewis@citylightsschool.org
http://www.citylightsschool.org
A psycho-educational day treatment program that provides educational, vocational, and clinical services to youth with emotional, behavioral, and learning problems.

Claude Moore Colonial Farm
McLean, VA (703) 442-7557
Contact: Jon Engle, jengle@1771.org
http://www.1771.org
A living history museum that portrays the life of a low-income family on a small farm in the 18th century. Offers a wide variety of educational programs including market fairs and food preservation programs.

D.C. Art Center
Washington, DC (202) 462-7833
Contact: Peter Joseph, info@dcartcenter.org
http://www.dcartscenter.org
A multi-disciplinary arts center presenting culturally diverse visual and performing arts in the nation's capital.

Feminist Majority Foundation
Arlington, VA (703)522-2214
Contact: femmag@feminist.org
http://www.feminist.org
Works to educate the public about feminism. It’s a cutting-edge organization dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health, and non-violence. In all spheres, FMF utilizes research and action to empower women economically, socially, and politically.

Friends of Olney Theatre
Olney, MD (301) 924-4485 ext. 107
http://olneytheater.org
A community based organization that provides avenues of involvement in the life and work of the theatre center. Creates community outreach projects that enhance or expand the artistic mission of the center.

Friends to the Library
Rockville, MD (240) 777-0020
Contact: Ari Brooks, ari.brooks@montgomerycountymd.gov
http://www.folmc.org
Works to raise funds to enhance public libraries. Operates two stores to sell donated books to the public.

Good Shepherd Ministries: After School Programs
Washington, DC (202) 483-5816
Contact: Kim Montroll, kimmontroll@juno.com
http://www.goodshepherdministries.com
An after-school tutoring program serving at-risk children in the Adams Morgan area of Washington, D.C.

Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Washington, DC (202) 785-1921 x 21
Contact: Erica Williams
http://www.iwpr.org
Works primarily on issues related to equal opportunity and economic and social justice for women. Researches policy issues affecting women's lives and provides women's perspectives on national policy debates.

Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Washington
Rockville, MD (301) 348-3740
Contact: Gloria Derkay, gderkay@jccgw.org
http://www.jccgw.org
Provides a variety of programs and services to the local community. The programs are rich with Jewish culture, tradition, and spirit. An education, recreation, and cultural arts center open to the whole community.

Learning Assistance Service
UM Campus (301) 314-5919
Contact: Kay Moon, gs2@umail.umd.edu
http://www.inform.umd.edu/LASRV/ESOL.html
English to Speakers of Other Languages conversation volunteers contribute 2 hours per week, for 10 weeks, to practice conversational English with either individual speaking partner or a small conversation group. International students, faculty, and staff are served.

Literacy Council of Montgomery County
Wheaton, MD (301) 942-9292
Contact: Josia Hagner, info@literacycouncilmcmd.org
http://www.literacycounilmcmd.org
Trains volunteer tutors to teach adults in Montgomery County to read, write, and speak English in a variety of programs.

Maryland Art Place
Baltimore, MD (410) 962-8565
Contact: Lisa Lewenz, llewenz@mdartplace.org
http://www.mdartplace.org
A dynamic non-profit arts organization dedicated to presenting contemporary visual and performance arts from the mid-Atlantic region.

Maryland English Institute (MEI) Speaking Partners Program
UM Campus (301) 405-7949
Contact: Tom Randolph, MEI-SpeakingPartners@umail.umd.edu
http://www.inform.umd.edu/arhu/depts/mei/extra/SpeakingPartners
Allows non-native, English-speaking students to
practice English with a native English speaker. Speaking partners meet throughout the semester for one hour, once a week.

Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation
Baltimore, MD (410) 539-6656 x 110
Contact: Rebecca Scollan, Rebecca@midatlanticarts.org
http://www.midatlanticarts.org
Supports regional arts programming for the benefit of artists, arts organizations, and audiences. Combines funding from state and federal sources to develop programming opportunities that link the mid-Atlantic states and the nation.

Montgomery County Commission for Women:
Counseling and Career Center
Rockville, MD (240) 777-8309
Contact: Susie Carpio, susie.carpio@montgomerycountymd.gov
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw
Provides advocacy, education, and lobbying. Direct services include counseling, career counseling, educational workshops, and legal assistance.

National Museum of Women in the Arts
Washington, DC (202) 783-7996
Contact: Tricia Byrne, pbyrne@nmwa.org
http://www.nmwa.org
Works to increase the awareness of the creative achievements of women through the ages by examining the social context of women in history, exhibiting art by women, and providing public programs including workshops, lectures, readings, tours, and films.

Teatro De La Luna
Washington, DC (202) 882-6227
Contact: Nucky Walder, info@teatrodelaluna.org
http://www.teatrodelaluna.org
Provides a multicultural artistic and educational forum for community interaction. Offers representative works of universal theatre, with an emphasis on Hispanic and Latin American productions. Performing opportunities for developing local talent.

Community Service-Learning
1120 Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park 20742
301-314-CARE—http://www.csl.umd.edu—terpservice@umd.edu

Please Note: Inclusion in Community Service-Learning (CSL) resources is not to be interpreted as an endorsement for any agency or organization listed here. As with any off-campus opportunity, the University is not responsible for any personal injury or loss that might result from your participation. Participants are strongly encouraged to read and implement the Good Questions to Ask and PARE handouts available through CSL. Lastly, be aware of any special requirements or skills necessary to perform the service requested (i.e. construction, carpentry, landscaping) and do not feel compelled to execute tasks which are beyond your capabilities.

8/05