Animals & Environment, Community Partners
Madison House
Madison House Volunteers Flock to Hogs and ...

Hogs and Kisses is a micro-sanctuary that opened its barn doors in Charlottesville in 2021. This year, Madison House is partnering with the farm to give UVA students an opportunity to volunteer with the seven pigs, five rabbits, and two turkeys! Click to learn more about Hogs & Kisses and the volunteer experience.

Madison House Volunteers Flock to Hogs and Kisses Farm Sanctuary
COVID-19, Community Partners, History, Volunteer Stories, UVA Students
Madison House
Looking Ahead, and Celebrating Over 50 Years of ...

Madison House’s Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CASH) program works to train and coordinate student-volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low- and moderate-income community members…This year marks 15 years since the launch of the C’ville Tax Aid Coalition — a partnership including Madison House and the University of Virginia Community Credit Union that is coordinated by the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. Since its inception in 2007, the Coalition has generated over $35 million in direct economic impact for the Charlottesville area community.

Looking Ahead, and Celebrating Over 50 Years of Madison House Tax Preparation
Volunteer Stories, UVA Students
Madison House
Student Leadership: Chelsea Li

As a first year at the University of Virginia (UVA), Chelsea Li (CLAS ‘20) wanted to soak up all the opportunities that the University had to offer. She found herself exploring new clubs and classes and was especially eager to be in the community. “In high school,” she said, “I felt as if I was missing a lot of the learning that happens outside the classroom.” This desire to stretch her curiosity across disciplines and interests, along with an intrinsic desire to uplift those around her, was what first brought Chelsea to Madison House.

Student Leadership: Chelsea Li
Alumni, Volunteer Stories, Student Athletes
Madison House
Olympic Silver Medalist Paige Madden’s Madison ...

The House has long been a place where students can come to find or rediscover themselves and their place within the community. This held true for Paige, who shared that “it gives me peace of mind knowing that I am a good swimmer but that's not what defines me. There's so much more to life, like helping others. My time at Madison House has allowed me to see that.”

Olympic Silver Medalist Paige Madden’s Madison House Experience
COVID-19, UVA Students
Madison House
Madison House Youth Mentoring Volunteer ...

Kruse, from Ridgeland, Mississippi, is a fourth-year student in the McIntire School of Commerce. She initially got involved in the program because of her prior experience in advocacy work.

“Ultimately, the goal of the program is for students to learn about environmental science through a native lens,” Kruse said. “Maelee Hearington, another UVA student, and I wrote the curriculum to focus on science, social activism and social justice. We also provide additional resources like workbooks, markers, easels and notebooks.”

Madison House Youth Mentoring Volunteer Inspires Native American Youth Through Science

Volunteer

Saddle Up for Service: Volunteer with CART this Spring

Saddle Up for Service: Volunteer with CART this Spring

Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART) provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities, and volunteers play a key role in offering these sessions. Head Program Director Maggie Monroe got involved with the nonprofit organization her second year at UVA, originally because she was taking a course—Poverty and the Young Child—which had a community service element. “I immediately felt drawn to CART as I have two younger cousins on the spectrum, one with Autism Spectrum Disorder and one with Down Syndrome,” Maggie shares. “I have always loved working with and giving back to this population, and I found CART's mission statement to be exactly what I was looking for.” Read more about CART and the Madison House volunteer experience.

,

Trailblazers of Change: Celebrating 50 Years of Women at UVA and Madison House’s Growth

,
Trailblazers of Change: Celebrating 50 Years of Women at UVA and Madison House’s Growth

“We were really special and got a lot of attention, and we felt a responsibility to do something special,” explains Dr. Deborah Denno, reflecting on her experience as a member of UVA's first co-ed undergraduate class in 1974. The year 1970 was groundbreaking, marking the first time women were admitted to UVA’s undergraduate program. Now, in 2024, the 50th anniversary of that historic graduating class is being celebrated. Reflecting back on their time at UVA, alumnae Katherine Taylor, Karen Montgomery, and Connie Laudenschlager reminisce fondly how Madison House shaped their college experiences. Read more…

Volunteer Recruitment Is Underway for 2024-2025!

Volunteer Recruitment Is Underway for 2024-2025!

Thanks to all who joined us at the Fall Service Fair on Monday, August 26. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities across the Animals & Environment, Education & Youth, Health & Medical, and Human Services tracks. If you missed the information sessions, please view the program slides below. When you are ready to apply, follow the “next steps” listed for the program you want to join.

, ,

Student Spotlight: Dao Tran

, ,
Student Spotlight: Dao Tran

With seven programs under her Madison House umbrella, third-year UVA student Dao Tran manages 65 volunteers and oversaw 500 hours combined of service in the Fall 2023 semester. Dao is Head Program Director of After School Programming, as well as a co-Program Director for the Music Resource Center. Read on to find out why Dao is invested in serving the community.

, ,

Holiday Sharing Event Spreads Holiday Cheer Like Never Before

, ,
Holiday Sharing Event Spreads Holiday Cheer Like Never Before

The Holiday Sharing Program (HOLS) is one of Madison House’s oldest student-led programs and has long provided Charlottesville families with food and personalized gifts for the holidays, creating a remarkable impact and providing invaluable support to families in the Charlottesville area. This year HOLS partnered with the Hope House Program to serve unhoused parents with minor children in their physical custody. Under the leadership and dedication of Student Head Program Directors Alie Gibson and Carol Cho, enough money was raised to serve 53 families. Read more about this growing program.

,

UVA Students Gear Up to Help Charlottesville Community Bikes

,
UVA Students Gear Up to Help Charlottesville Community Bikes

New this year, Madison House is partnering with Charlottesville Community Bikes, a nonprofit used-bike shop that sells bikes, performs bike repairs, and offers bike voucher programs to local children, teens & adults. Learn more about the bike referral and bike voucher programs, as well as the volunteer experience at Charlottesville Community Bikes.

, ,

Student Spotlight: Riley Sweet, Program Director for Holiday Sharing

, ,
Student Spotlight: Riley Sweet, Program Director for Holiday Sharing

As the holiday season draws near, a dedicated team of student volunteers is working to make the festivities even more special for families living in Charlottesville. Holiday Sharing, a volunteer program at Madison House, ensures that everyone gets to participate in the festive atmosphere. As a program director, Riley Sweet organizes volunteer shifts once a week to prepare for the final day of distributing gifts. Read more about the joy she feels in helping share holiday cheer to local families in need.

,

Community-Engaged Learning: UVA Students at the Intersection of Academics and Active Volunteerism

,
Community-Engaged Learning: UVA Students at the Intersection of Academics and Active Volunteerism

UVA Professor Kate Stephenson combines community engagement and writing skills in her first-year writing requirements. Essentially, her courses focus on community-based learning, which Professor Stephenson describes as the “intersection of activism and coursework”. Read more about the benefits of community-engaged learning as shared by Professor Stephenson and her students.

,

Just What the Doctor Ordered: An Examination of Health and Medical Services Volunteer Opportunities

,
Just What the Doctor Ordered: An Examination of Health and Medical Services Volunteer Opportunities

Every year, Madison House offers many opportunities for students to get involved with volunteering in the health and medical sectors. These opportunities range from interpersonal interactions with patients to administrative work in both clinical and non-clinical settings, from emergency rooms to nursing homes to recreational facilities. Read more about the volunteer experience and Madison House’s call for additional community partners.

,

The CASH Program's Impact Is Growing | Now Recruiting Additional Volunteers

,
The CASH Program's Impact Is Growing | Now Recruiting Additional Volunteers

With over $3 million dollars in impact and more than 700 Charlottesville area residents having received free tax preparation assistance last year, the CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) program through Madison House provides a huge, direct impact in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. Actively seeking applicants, the CASH program is a fantastic way for UVA students to get involved in the broader Virginia community. 

,

The Gift of Friendship and the Volunteer Experience

,
The Gift of Friendship and the Volunteer Experience

One of the greatest advantages of service is meeting new people. In fact, a highlight of Madison House alumnus Mike Loeffelman’s time at UVA was the close bond he developed with fellow student and volunteer Andrew McCormick. Both Mike and Andrew found that their time at Madison House helped them build relationships and pursue passions that are lifelong journeys, and they have advice for college students contemplating what they want to do and who they want to be.


,

Hoos Serving: Sonia Patel

,
Hoos Serving: Sonia Patel

Sonia Patel (she/her) is a fourth-year Cognitive Science major in the College of Arts & Sciences. Sonia is the president of Charlottesville Community Access to Resources, Exposure, and Support (Cville CARES), a CIO whose mission is to serve the underprivileged and underserved community of Charlottesville. Sonia also is a volunteer with Medical Services and Head Program Director for Tutoring with Madison House. Her post-graduation plans include attending medical school and becoming a physician in the future.

Top 10 ways to give back to the Charlottesville community

Top 10 ways to give back to the Charlottesville community

Madison House is the independent volunteer center for students at the University. They do it all — coordinate volunteers, develop student leaders and even build community partnerships. With over 20 ongoing programs like recreational therapy, athletics and child care, volunteering at Madison House gives students the chance to do something fun and enjoyable while simultaneously helping out the Charlottesville community. Registration is available online with a University email.

,

Hoos Serving: Loganbay Campbell

,

Loganbay Campbell (she/her) is a fourth-year in the College of Arts & Sciences pursuing a double-major in biology and Spanish. Loganbay started volunteering for the Latin and Migrant Aid program at Madison House during her second year at UVA. This semester, she is involved with Sin Barreras, a program that teaches English to Spanish speakers. Loganbay is in the process of applying to medical school and will be taking a gap year to work as a medical assistant in Charlottesville.

,

Hoos Serving: Rebecca Franks

,
Hoos Serving: Rebecca Franks

Rebecca Franks (she/her) is a fourth-year in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Bioethics. For the past three years, Becca has served as the Madison House program director for Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART), a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities. Becca is also a volunteer EMT with the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS). At CARS, she responds to 911 calls in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, proving medical care and transport to the hospital. Lastly, Becca volunteers at the Charlottesville Free Clinic. Next year, Becca will be returning to Texas for medical school.

,

Hoos Serving: Nina Robertson

,
Hoos Serving: Nina Robertson

Nina Robertson is a fourth-year in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in global public health. Nina serves as the Madison House program director for Adopt-A-Grandparent (AAGP) at Charlottesville Health and Rehabilitation Center (CHRC), through which she works with elderly residents and other student volunteers to facilitate healthy connections and bonding experiences. Nina also volunteers on the Madison House HELP Line outreach team, a 24/7 free and confidential cries hotline run by students. In addition, she is a research intern at the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), a national nonprofit that aims to eliminate barriers of treatment for individuals with severe mental illness.

,

Hoos Serving: Hannah Zaveri

,
Hoos Serving: Hannah Zaveri

Hannah Zaveri is a third-year majoring in Global Public Health and Sociology. Hannah serves as the Habitat for Humanity UVA (HUVA) Youth Leadership Team Coordinator, through which she works with high school students passionate about affordable housing. She also volunteers at UVA Children’s Hospital through Madison House Medical Services and is on the Peer Health Educator (PHE) leadership team. As a PHE, she recently co-organized the 30th Annual Fourth Year 5K (4Y5K), whose proceeds go to the Leslie Baltz Art Study Fund.

AWARD RECIPIENT’S RESEARCH FOCUSES ON FEMALE ARTISTS FROM THE 1980S

AWARD RECIPIENT’S RESEARCH FOCUSES ON FEMALE ARTISTS FROM THE 1980S

Graeff, a fourth-year art history major and a recipient of a University of Virginia Arts Award, has taken up the cause of a trio of female artists from the 1980s who she argues have been overlooked.

Aside from her studies, Graeff is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority’s Beta Sigma chapter. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, she was involved with a Madison House arts organization at Venable Elementary School.

,

Batten Food Drive Supports 120 Local Families Through Partnership with Madison House

,
Batten Food Drive Supports 120 Local Families Through Partnership with Madison House

Launched as part of a new partnership between Batten and Madison House, an independent volunteer center for students at the University of Virginia, the drive complements Holiday Sharing, a program that numbers among Madison House’s oldest and has long provided Charlottesville families with food and personalized gifts for the holidays. Due to the pandemic, a community partner that had been assisting with food for the families was unable to do so this year, so the Batten community stepped in to fully fund and shop for food for all 120 families participating in the Holiday Sharing program.

,

Madison House Youth Mentoring Volunteer Inspires Native American Youth Through Science

,
Madison House Youth Mentoring Volunteer Inspires Native American Youth Through Science

Kruse, from Ridgeland, Mississippi, is a fourth-year student in the McIntire School of Commerce. She initially got involved in the program because of her prior experience in advocacy work.

“Ultimately, the goal of the program is for students to learn about environmental science through a native lens,” Kruse said. “Maelee Hearington, another UVA student, and I wrote the curriculum to focus on science, social activism and social justice. We also provide additional resources like workbooks, markers, easels and notebooks.”