Welcome to Madison House

At Madison House, we are dedicated to creating a vibrant community of student volunteers who are committed to making a difference in our local community and the world.

Students choose service among one of four program tracks:

  • Students involved in animal welfare programs assist with the feeding, cleaning, and care of rescued animals at local refuge centers.

    Environmental service programs include opportunities for students who would like to steward and tend to outdoor spaces. Students might repair trails or care for community gardens that donate produce to local food banks and shelters.

    View a complete list of programs and current opportunities in GivePulse (free account required for view access):

  • Madison House volunteers serve more than 75 schools, child-care centers, recreational programs & after-school programs in the Charlottesville region. Our trained volunteers help the youngest members of our community, from six weeks old up through high school, by providing tutoring, coaching, child-care and other education services.

    Please note that all Education & Youth Services volunteers must undergo a background check and complete training through the Office of Youth Protection.

    View programs and service opportunities in the categories below in GivePulse (free account required for view access).

    Education:

    Youth:

  • Medical services programs provide various volunteer opportunities for UVA students at the UVA Health System, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Blue Ridge Health District, Charlottesville Free Clinics, and several hospice locations. Sign-ups for Medical Services placements during the academic year typically occur only during the Fall semester. Students must commit to a full academic year of service and attend a mandatory orientation session. There are also summer placement opportunities, and that information is available during the Spring semester each year.

    Fall 2025 Sign Up Information
    Click here for registration requirements and timelines.

    Visit this link in GivePulse for a list of programs and opportunities for Health & Medical Services programs during the academic year (free account required for view access).

  • Human services programs provide support to some of our area’s most vulnerable communities. Among other opportunities, student volunteers may serve at food pantries and day shelters, staff a local crisis helpline, form long-lasting relationships with elderly persons, aid in the construction and restoration of homes in the community, and even become certified to help local families file their yearly tax returns.

    To view a complete list of programs and current opportunities in Human Services, please visit this link in GivePulse (free account required for view access).

Through Madison House you can engage in meaningful volunteer initiatives and learning opportunities that address critical needs in the community, while also promoting your personal growth and leadership development.

Are you ready to make a positive impact in our community? Here are the steps to apply as a volunteer at Madison House:

1) Apply to Madison House for the 2025-2026 academic year by joining GivePulse and completing the volunteer commitment form. (Returning volunteers, if you already have a GivePulse profile, you can go straight to the volunteer commitment form.)

2) Complete a placement request form. September 5, 2025, is the priority placement request deadline, and September 12, 2025, is the general request deadline. You will hear back from student program leaders within a week regarding your placement status.

Please note that there may be additional placement requirements for individual programs. Learn more about specific programs by clicking the track icons below.


2025 - 2026 PROGRAMS

Madison House offers a wide range of service and leadership experiences. Click a track below to view programs and service opportunities in GivePulse (free account required for view access):


I wanted to make an impact while I was in Charlottesville, and that’s how I knew I needed to volunteer with Madison House. Volunteering takes you outside UVA and introduces you to the people who have their roots here.
— Jyotika Chandoke, Former BIG Event Head Program Director