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.”
Walking Bus, a new Madison House program, arose when a detrimental shortage of bus drivers led Charlottesville City Schools to expand their walking zones. Because of this, all students within a 3/4 mile radius of Clark Elementary School must walk to school or be dropped off. In light of this, Madison House volunteers began walking children to school for what can be a long and dark route.
Madison House, the independent volunteer center for students at the University of Virginia, has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and the UVA Community Credit Union to offer free tax preparation services for residents in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. Together, these organizations form the Cville Tax Aid Coalition. The coalition partners offer in-person tax assistance, drop-off service, and 24/7 self-service options.
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.
The UVA Cancer Center Wreath Auction is back after a hiatus due to COVID. This year, wreath auctions will occur at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (ECCCC) and UVA Cancer Center Augusta. Team members from across UVA Health have generously donated their time and skill to decorate these amazing holiday wreaths. To get this project off the ground, Madison House volunteers Haeli Knox and Ahmad Shahid helped the ECCCC with logistics and promotion. UVA Connect recently sat down with them to discuss their studies, careers, volunteerism, and UVA.
After serving as the program director for Madison House’s Music Resource Center partnership last year, UVA third-year student Jack Engel is now a head program director for Madison House’s Youth Mentoring program. His journey from volunteer to program director to head program director has been a highlight of his time at UVA.
Jenna Delgado is a fourth-year UVA student and is in her third year of coaching basketball as a Madison House volunteer. Jenna has spent most of her life volunteering. As a kid, she worked with her mom, Tracy, to pack lunches for kids in the summer so that everyone in her community in Atlanta, Georgia, would be sure to have something to eat during the day. In middle school, Jenna started coaching basketball, something that has continued as a passion and interest of hers. But she never thought back then that she’d attend the same college as her mom and volunteer with the same organization.
Madison House is proud to be a founding partner of the new UVA Public Service Pathways program! The program integrates public service into the student experience at UVA through research and service opportunities, community collaboration, internships, and mentoring. Students who choose to complete the program will earn the designation of Presidential Public Service Scholar. More importantly, students will acquire valuable experience that supports their own unique pathways for a lifelong commitment to public service.
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.
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.
HELP Line, a UVA student-led and operated crisis hotline opened its telephone lines for the current school year on September 12, 2022. The HELP Line phone number is 434-924-TALK, and its services are anonymous, confidential, and non-judgmental. The program welcomes a new staff of anonymous volunteers to the phone lines following an intensive semester of training last spring.
Throughout the last 30 years of his life, Robertson championed many causes at the University and related initiatives. He made substantial gifts to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, and through his foundation, was behind donations to the student volunteer center Madison House, as well as a $2.2 million “Robertson Innovations in Education” grant supporting research to enhance teaching practices and student learning experiences.
I am always impressed with the intellectual curiosity of so many of my students. But, I am also impressed at how many appreciate their good fortune, gifts and talents and feel determined to share them with those who are less fortunate. Over the years, more and more of my students share with me their plans to seek humanitarian careers.
Also, as a board member, and now the co-chair of the Madison House, I have been impressed by the number of students who dedicate themselves to a number of community programs, while juggling a rigorous academic load.
Despite the challenges COVID-19 provided, Madison House HPD’s, volunteers, and staff were able to continue to provide services to the Charlottesville community without spreading a single known case of COVID-19!
Additionally, 100% of the House’s head program directors surveyed said that their time at Madison House strengthened their understanding of themselves as a leader, the communities surrounding UVA, future career goals, and their sense of community at UVA.
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.
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.
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.
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 (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.
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.
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.
The School of Education and Human Development offers an 11-month Masters Program in higher education.
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.
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.
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.
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 a Summer Food Justice Intern Coordinator and a Food Justice Network Program Associate for the summer of 2022. Learn more and apply here.
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 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.
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.
