Making a Difference

In the 2008-2009 academic year, over 990 Clark students volunteered approximately 37,000 hours. Those outstanding numbers illustrate the connections and commitment that Clark students have to local organizations. At Clark, there are many ways students can volunteer their time in Worcester. The Community Engagement and Volunteering (CEV) Center is the primary campus resource for students interested in volunteering. Each fall, the CEV Center sponsors a Community Engagement and Internship Fair with Career Services so students can find an opportunity that fits their interests and schedule. Clark volunteers spend their time as mentors in the St. Peter's Mentoring Program, with the local gardens through the Regional Environmental Council, or visiting the elderly at Donna Kay Nursing Home. There are also over 20 student groups that are community service based, from Clark University Brothers and Sisters (CUBS) to DA-LE, which organizes an Alternative Spring Break trip to Nicaragua each year. Whatever your interest and level of experience, the CEV Center can point you in the right direction!

Something for Everyone

For those students reluctant to make a weekly commitment, there are many one-time service projects and events throughout the year. Just Do It Day is an annual event each April that recruits more than 200 Clarkies to volunteer at over 15 sites in the Worcester community. We also support fundraisers/walks in the community, such as the annual Taking Steps to End Violence Against Women and Children. But Clark students also have their own creative ways of giving back to the local community. Each February, roughly 30 students climb up and down the stairs in Jonas Clark for one hour (11pm-midnight)to raise money for the YWCA Daybreak. This is a special connection for Clark because Daybreak was founded in the 1970's by a Clark student and professor, just another way that Clarkies have made a difference in the community. The current Stair-A-Thon record is 53, so start training soon if you plan on competing!

Being an Active Community Member

Community engagement is more than volunteering your time, though. Community engagement means being an active part of your local community. An informed and engaged citizen can speak about local political issues and explores the many entertainment/recreation opportunities available. You can spend an evening supporting the sports teams such as the Worcester Sharks Ice Hockey Team or the Worcester Tornadoes baseball. If you're interested in nature, there are tons of hiking trails to explore in the larger Worcester area. Make the most of your four years in Worcester! Use the Discover Worcester webpage to help you find out what Worcester has to offer. 

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