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’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.
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.
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.”
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.”
The Crozet Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) stands as a vital part of Albemarle County’s emergency services network. Covering over 100 square miles, CVFD responds to a wide range of emergencies, from fire alarms and gas leaks to car accidents and structure fires. Located in Crozet, Virginia, the department operates with a unique structure, balancing professional day crews and community-driven volunteer night crews. Read more about the Madison House volunteer experience.
“Although it's a non-traditional form of treatment, I have always believed that music is extremely healing,” says Harmonies for Healing Program Director Sophia Yoder. “Being part of [this program] allows me to contribute to someone's healing process and connect with people of all ages.” Read more about the Harmonies for Healing program through Madison House.
GEMS, or Girls Excited about Math and Science, aptly captures the essence of this Education and Youth program at Madison House. Volunteers and Program Directors alike comment on the ability of the program to foster true interest and engagement in elementary-aged girls as they listen and interact in volunteer-curated lesson plans. Read on to learn more about this vibrant program and the Madison House volunteers who lead lessons.
While most UVA students leave Grounds after final exams in the spring, many Madison House volunteers continue to serve the Charlottesville community. In fact, a lucky 120 undergraduate students are able to volunteer for Health and Medical Programs during the summer months through Madison House. There are opportunities for students with a variety of backgrounds and interests. Read on to learn more…
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.
SPLASH (Swimming Protects Lives and Sparks Hope) and the Virginia Discovery Museum (VDM) volunteer programs at Madison House both offer unique windows for UVA students to engage with children in the Charlottesville community. Read more about these Education & Youth volunteer opportunities through Madison House.
For many UVA students, Madison House is a place to give back to the Charlottesville community—whether it’s mentoring kids, working in local clinics, or helping at food pantries and community gardens. But for a few lucky Hoos, service was a shared passion with their soulmate! This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate three UVA alumni couples who volunteered at Madison House during their undergraduate years.
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.
Only through Madison House do a select number of passionate undergraduate UVA students get to volunteer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, a community-based mutual aid and legal firm. In a typical semester, 15 Madison House volunteers dedicate at least 5 hours per week working virtually or at the center. Volunteers spend most of their time interacting with clients, helping clients and attorneys communicate, and completing client intakes.
With your support, Madison House provided service and leadership opportunities for over 1,600 students while supporting 63 local community partners last year. From Walking Bus and Tutor Bus programs to expanded tax preparation assistance across the region, Madison House student volunteers connected deeply with our community. With Executive Director Mary Denlinger at the helm, we eagerly anticipate our next phase of growth. We are excited to share the highlights of 2023 - 2024 with you!
“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…
On Giving Tuesday, millions of people around the world will come together to support causes they care about. As a valued member of our community, we invite you to be part of this global movement by contributing to Madison House. Your generosity will enable us to continue to offer programs that not only address critical community needs, but also foster personal growth and leadership among our student volunteers.
With Halloween in the rear view mirror, the Holiday Sharing program at Madison House is in full swing. Michelle Tran, Head Program Director for Holiday Sharing, sat down with NBC29 on Monday, November 4, during the 4pm newscast to talk about the program and what it has meant to her during her time at UVA.
Madison House is a volunteer organization connecting students from the University of Virginia (UVA) with the surrounding community, plays a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of UVA students and impacting the broader Charlottesville community. Two key voices on its Board of Directors, Suzanne Lynn ‘93 and Neha Pai ‘25, serve as co-chairs of the Board of Directors, bringing a passion for service and commitment to enhancing the organization.
Several programs at Madison House strive to service the large Hispanic community in Charlottesville, a community of around 13,000 residents. Volunteers with programs through Latinx and Migrant Aid (LAMA), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Creating Assets, Savings & Hope (CASH), UVA Health, and the Charlottesville Free Clinic specifically provide Spanish language services. Programs like Multilingual Learning and Thomas Jefferson Adult Career Education provide English language instruction for speakers of Spanish, as well as many other languages.
Mary Denlinger stepped into the role of Executive Director this past June, bringing not only 20+ years of experience, but also a friendly face and passion for service to Madison House. When she’s not in the office or with community partners, Mary can be found trying local restaurants, hiking and camping in the woods, or spending time with family and friends. Now that Mary has been in the position for a few months, already making a lasting impact on students and the organization, we caught up with her for a quick Q&A to learn more about her.
Stacy was introduced to tutoring in high school when she was asked to tutor a younger child. This part-time job quickly morphed into a passion when she arrived at UVA, where she continued tutoring through Madison House programs. At UVA, she was involved in a few different things—she rushed a sorority, worked in hospitality for a student run concert group, and held a part-time job. But volunteering as a tutor through Madison House was her favorite activity. Since graduating, Stacy has nurtured her passion for tutoring and turned it into a tangible and impactful product that makes learning enjoyable. Read more about Stacy's entrepreneurial spirit and her quest to make learning fun for kids.
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.
Thank you for helping us make tax season 2024 a success for our Madison House volunteers and the community. As of the end of July, we filed 1,804 returns, which amounts to a total of $1,804,137 in federal refunds and a savings of $451,000 on tax preparation fees. We could not have achieved this impact without your help!
