Volunteering & Service-Learning

Ready to volunteer?

American Red Cross  Donate online to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Brookdale Cares Volunteer Service Learn more about how Student Life & Activities supports volunteer service and builds community throughout Monmouth County and beyond.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore  Weekly and monthly opportunities for students to mentor young adults and facilitate after school programs.

Jersey Cares   Register online to search how you can help areas around NJ.

United Way of Monmouth County   Volunteer right here in Monmouth County.

What is Service-Learning?

The Service-Learning program gives you the opportunity to use knowledge gained in the classroom in a community service project. Service-Learning joins your academic study and community service so that you can learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences. As a result, study takes on a new relevance and intellectual challenge.

The program has many roles. It can be:

• An option for meeting course objectives.
• A connection to addressing community needs.
• A career-related work experience.
• A “hands-on” practical learning experience to course materials.

Why is Service-Learning for me?

While helping others as part of a learning experience, you and community members also derive significant practical benefits from taking part in Service-Learning. You are able to explore career possibility and work with people in various settings, which allows you to develop lifelong and relevant problem-solving skills.

How can Service-Learning help me?

• Reflect on you own background and culture in relation to others.
• Gain competence through the practice of social and technical skills.
• Increase independence by learning to manage study.
• Reflect co-curricular experiences on college transcript.

How does Service-Learning work?

When involved in a Service-Learning project, you generally give 20-45 volunteer hours over the course of a term. The hours and time frame are flexible and determined jointly with instructors.

In conjunction with your instructor, you will:

• Shape the direction of your study.
• Determine what work will be done.
• Form a criterion for evaluation.

Where can I do Service-Learning?

Service-Learning participants are currently working in projects that entail:

• Outreach and friendly visits to the elderly in nursing homes.
• Working with the learning disabled and emotionally handicapped in school settings.
• Working as a teacher’s aide with children in day care, Head Start, and after school programs.
• Working as an advocate for community groups to address social needs.
• Working with local environmental protection groups.
• Assisting local food pantries and soup kitchens in addressing hunger in our communities.

For more information, please contact our office at career@brookdalecc.edu, P: 732-224-2792 or visit us in MAC 105.

“My experience as a service-learning student has been meaningful, because I will keep the experience with me for the rest of my life. I learned a lot and really felt like I gave back to the community.” Service-Learning Student

“My time was well spent and I am proud to say that I have continued my volunteer work at St. Benedict’s and I also have my two sons volunteering for the summer.”  Service-Learning Student

“Because it was a fulfilling experience that made me feel good about myself, while helping others.”  Service-Learning Student

“It is the best feeling, being able to give back to a community and make a difference in a child’s life.”  Service-Learning Student

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Career, Leadership & Transfer Pathways • MAC 105 • career@brookdalecc.edu