Madison House Programs, UVA Students
Madison House
Get Involved with Madison House at UVA

Whether you're passionate about health care, education, environmental sustainability, or animal welfare, Madison House offers a wide range of programs to match your interests. Discover how to become a volunteer in one of our programs!

Get Involved with Madison House at UVA
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
COVID-19, UVA Students
Madison House
Hoos Helping (Virtually!)

On March 11, 2020, all Madison House in-person volunteering was suspended in an effort to slow the emergence of COVID-19. Shortly after, a Spring Action Team headed by Madison House student volunteers Simmy Bhatia, Caroline Hallowell, and Mikaela Rirchardson worked in coordination with Dr. Rose Cole, the Madison House Director of Community Engagement, to begin developing a virtual volunteering initiative called "Hoos Helping."

Hoos Helping (Virtually!)

Current Opportunities

Close up foundation to launch civic fellowship

Close Up’s Civic Fellowship will run from September 2022 - July 2023, and the fellowship is a paid full time opportunity for recent college graduates looking to learn more about the political process. Learn more here.

Apply!

Connect with alumni for project work

Bridges is an initiative started by the Virginia Alumni Mentoring Community (VAM) to connect UVA alumni and students through project-based work. On the platform, UVA alumni post short-term, well-defined projects that students can complete in approximately 10-40 hours across 2-5 weeks. Click here to learn more and get involved.

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SCRIBE AMERICA is hiring in various virginia doctors’ offices

ScribeAmerica, the nation’s largest employer of medical scribes, is hiring both full- time and part-time positions across multiple Emergency Departments and Offices in Virginia. Medical Scribes are documentation specialists who assist physicians in documenting patient encounters, thus allowing physicians to focus more of their shift on medical decision making and increasing the number of patients seen during a scheduled shift. Apply here or reach out to Ian Fraser (ian.fraser@scribeamerica.com) with any questions.

MORVEN summer institute hiring summer institute coordinator, interns

The Morven Summer Institute is looking for an energetic undergraduate or graduate student to serve as the Institute Coordinator this summer. The Coordinator will be encouraged to enroll in one of Morven's three summer classes (PLAP 3160/ GSVS 3160: Politics of Food, GSVS 3110/ ARCH 3500/5500: Sustainable Communities, or ARH 4500/ AAS 4559: Morven's Enslaved and Descendant Communities). Reach out to Madison Dillard (mhd4sa@virginia.edu) with any questions and apply here.

Additionally, Morven is also hiring paid interns for the Summer and Fall 2022 seasons. Interns are paid $12/ hour and will learn about regenerative farming practices, local food distribution, volunteer coordination, and much more. Apply for the summer 2022 position here and here for the Fall 2022 position.

DART is hiring in community Organizing

DART (Direct Action and Research Training Center) is hiring full-time, grassroots organizers in a variety of cities around the United States to pursue racial and socioeconomic justice. Visit DART’s website to apply or learn more. Reach out to hannah@thedartcenter.org with any questions.

Americorps vista at piedmont housing alliance

The Financial Opportunity Center + Housing Hub at Piedmont Housing Alliance will host an AmeriCorps VISTA position from Aug. ‘22 to Aug. ‘23. This is a paid year of service working on affordable housing and anti-poverty issues in the greater Charlottesville community. Visit the site to learn more and apply.

Deadline is July 18, 2022.

logo for hope's legacy equine rescue

Support horse, mule, donkey, and pony rescue in ALBEmarle county

Hope's Legacy Equine Rescue, a horse, donkey, mule, and pony rescue facility located in Afton, VA, is looking for volunteers to assist in a variety of capacities from horse care (manure pick up, grooming, feeding) to event help. Learn more about open positions and sign up here or reach out to Meg Phillips (meghann.j.phillips@gmail.com) with any questions.

Interested in studying higher education?

The School of Education and Human Development offers an 11-month Masters Program in higher education.

Learn more about this and similar programs here.

Join the virginia alumni mentoring (VAM) community

The Virginia Alumni Mentoring (VAM) Community seeks to support current UVA students in their professional development journeys. In this virtual community, students can reach out to mentors for guidance through one-off conversations, longer term mentoring relationships, and project work. Join the community to build both relationships and skills. Click here to learn more and join.

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Cville’s Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is hiring

The Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is currently looking for two paid interns - one to assist with event planning and execution and another to assist with teen programs that promote bystander intervention. Interns will be paid $18/ hour for 5 - 10 hours per week. Positions start ASAP and will end by late June. If interested in the events internship, send a resume to Laurie Jean (prevention@saracville.org), and if interested in the bystander prevention education internship, send a resume and cover letter to Jada (jada@saracville.org) to apply.

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donate gently used furniture to Refurnished

Refurnished is a non-profit, student-led effort that connects volunteers from the University and organizations in Charlottesville with community members to provide gently-used furniture to those in need. Furniture donations are encouraged, and pick up service is free for the greater Charlottesville area. Learn more about how to donate or volunteer here.

Blue Ridge FiEld Camp seeking counselors

Charlottesville’s Blue Ridge Field Camp is seeking talented counselors for its 2022 Summer Camp, Adventure Weeks, and Leadership Schools. Experiences with outdoors camps or activities such as paddling, backpacking, and climbing is of particular interest. Please reach out to Todd Barnett (toddhjbarnett@gmail.com) and check out more information here. $6,000/ summer.

Cultivate Charlottesville is hiring interns

Cultivate Charlottesville is hiring a Summer Food Justice Intern Coordinator and a Food Justice Network Program Associate for the summer of 2022. Learn more and apply here.

Looking for a Summer position and on grounds housing?

Leadership Alliance and the Virginia - North Carolina Alliance Undergraduate Research Programs are looking for a shared Residential Mentor to live in Bice House from June 5 - August 2, 2022. The mentor will be expected to offer guidance and support for undergraduate researchers.

To apply, email a resume and cover letter to Maurice Walker (emw5m@virginia.edu) by Thursday, May 19th.

Morgan Stanley DIversity Graduate Fellowship Program

Morgan Stanley is accepting applications for their 2022 Quantitative Finance Diversity Graduate Program. The program is designed to help diverse PhD and Masters students gain a better understanding of the financial services industry. Learn more and apply here.

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Looking Ahead, and Celebrating Over 50 Years of Madison House Tax Preparation

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Looking Ahead, and Celebrating Over 50 Years of Madison House Tax Preparation

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.

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Hoos Serving: Loganbay Campbell

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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.

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Hoos Serving: Rebecca Franks

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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.

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Alumni Spotlight: Jyotika Chandhoke

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Alumni Spotlight: Jyotika Chandhoke

Because of the formative experiences from her time as the Big Event Head Program Director at Madison House, Jyotika decided to make the shift from investment banking into impact investing for a firm that specializes in venture philanthropy. Now, Jyotika and her peers work to invest philanthropic capital efficiently in social enterprises that are driving positive social, economic, and environmental change to tackle some of the most pervasive issues we face today.

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Hoos Serving: Nina Robertson

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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.

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Hoos Serving: Hannah Zaveri

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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.

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A Note from the Madison House Programs Team

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A Note from the Madison House Programs Team

As Madison House resumes in-person volunteering this summer, I want to take a moment to thank all of you — our community partners — who have worked so tirelessly the past fifteen months. I have been inspired by your resilience, your perseverance, your dedication, your creativity, and your love for our friends and neighbors. Thank you for all you do for the community, and thank you for all you do for Madison House’s student volunteers.

The First Female Executive Director of Madison House: Wanda Birckhead Farrar

The First Female Executive Director of Madison House: Wanda Birckhead Farrar

Wanda Birckhead Farrar began her Madison House experience in high school in the 1970s. She was hired by then Executive Director, Judy Gough, to do part-time work. Unlike most people who have been involved with Madison House, Wanda was never a student at UVA and never served as a Madison House volunteer. All the same, the House had a significant impact on her life and shaped her career path in a way similar to the students who serve through the House.

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Student Spotlight: Kara Sangiuolo

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Student Spotlight: Kara Sangiuolo

Kara Sangiuolo is a fourth year student working on a double major in Biology and Global Public Health. With medical school aspirations, she has been studying for the MCAT. Despite the heavy workload that comes with pre-med, she has made time to be a Head Program Director (HPD) for Madison House’s Youth Mentoring program.

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Student Leadership: Chelsea Li

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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.

Community Partner: City of Promise

Community Partner: City of Promise

In previous years, Madison House and UVA student groups have partnered with City of Promise in a variety of ways. Madison House volunteers have worked with City of Promise students primarily through their after-school programs, with Madison House Arts Mentors volunteers visiting on Monday afternoons to craft with students, and the UVA Black Medical Students Association facilitating toy drives during the holidays.

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Holiday Sharing Success!

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Holiday Sharing Success!

Holiday Sharing (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. This program does most of their work leading up to the holiday season, and, during this time, students work with the Salvation Army and Madison House’s LAMA (Latinx and Migrant Aid) program to collect, assemble, and distribute gifts.

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A Young Alumna's Perspective on Giving - Caroline Biondo

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A Young Alumna's Perspective on Giving - Caroline Biondo

As both a former board member and volunteer, Caroline recognizes the importance of service and the impact that Madison House volunteers have in the community. This is why she decided to stay involved as a donor. “When I donate to Madison House,” says Caroline, “I know that my money is going to be used to benefit both the Charlottesville community and UVA students.”

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.

Service and Self: Humility and Wisdom

Service and Self: Humility and Wisdom

At the University of Virginia, we pride ourselves on being an elite university that prepares its students to serve the public. Madison House, hundreds of CIOs, and various NGOs in and around the University are full of students looking to serve, and there is a lot of good service, too. However, there is a component to public service that is necessary but often forgotten: humility. And I mean genuine humility, not just the sort we hear all too often as a preamble to accepting recognition ("I am humbled to….").

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

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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.

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Alumni Spotlight: Grant Frazier

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Alumni Spotlight: Grant Frazier

At first glance, medicine and music may not appear to have much in common, but Grant Frazier felt differently. He had seen first hand the power of music to bring joy and connection, and he felt that this happiness was its own medicine. As an UVA undergraduate, Grant worked with Madison House to explore this connection and founded the Harmonies for Healing program.

Tamara Wilkerson Dias - Madison House Alumna and Forbes 30 Under 30 Recipient

Tamara Wilkerson Dias - Madison House Alumna and Forbes 30 Under 30 Recipient

As a Madison House volunteer, Tamara tutored students at local Jackson-Via Elementary School, and participated in Madison House’s Holiday Sharing - a program that collects thousands of donations like food and gifts to distribute to hundreds of local families during the holiday season. Tamara says volunteering with Madison House gave her the opportunity to get to know the Charlottesville community beyond UVA.

After graduating from the UVA School of Education and Human Development with her master’s in foreign language education, Tamara was accepted as a fellow in the African American Teaching Fellows (AATF) - a Charlottesville non-profit that recruits, supports, develops, and retains a cadre of African American teachers to serve local public schools. Tamara taught Spanish for four years to middle school students in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City schools.