Volunteer Opportunities

Here in CELTS we engage students in service, but we also provide opportunities for leadership and learning. Our center serves as both operational base and service site for a host of programs. What makes our programs unique is the fact that students serve as Program Managers and staff for each of the service-based programs we host. Their responsibilities include recruiting and training volunteers, planning and executing weekly program activities, facilitating team meetings, and mentoring team members to develop the same skills. We use a leadership development model that emphasizes peer mentoring, students sharing knowledge with each other, and student leaders facilitating service and learning experiences for those they lead. Our programs exemplify the success we have with nurturing student leaders and living the practice of learning through service.

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  • Adopt-a-Grandparent Program

  • Team members coordinate planned activities and one-on-one interaction with senior citizens during weekly visits to area nursing homes.
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  • Berea Buddies Program

  • This group engages Berea College students as mentors or “Buddies” to local elementary age children for 2-4 hours of individualized activity on a weekly basis.
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  • Habitat for Humanity Program

  • This campus chapter of the national organization plans and organizes local builds in cooperation with the Madison County chapter.
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  • HEAL Program

  • An environmental advocacy and action program that addresses campus, local and regional sustainability issues
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  • Hispanic Outreach Project

  • A service-learning project of CELTS and the Spanish Language Program.  Team members coordinate students from Spanish classes and other volunteers to work in tutoring, ESL programs and a variety of other volunteer opportunities with the Spanish-speaking population in Madison County.
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  • One-on-One Tutoring Program

  • One-on-One Tutoring provides a safe and encouraging atmosphere for students from Kindergarten to twelfth grade who need extra help in achieving academic success.
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  • People Who Care Program

  • PWC coordinates a changing group of volunteers who support weekly one-time projects at various hospitals, homeless shelters, residential facilities for children, and other institutions where students serve in various capacities. Berea students may volunteer on a weekly basis or as time permits throughout the semester. 
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  • Summer Tutoring Programs

  • Berea Reads and Berea Counts give local children needed support during the summer to ease transitions, reinforce learning , and build academic readiness for the coming school year.
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  • Teen Mentoring Program

  • Members of this team plan and coordinate a weekly group mentoring experience for area teens.

These are just a few of the opportunities available to you as a student leader in CELTS. With the exception of First Year Bonner Scholars, labor positions in CELTS are held by students in their second year and beyond. If you’d like to be considered for a labor position with one of our programs, we encourage you to first become a volunteer, in order to learn more about the program, its participants and its structure.  The Volunteer Extravaganza (held in the Fall and Spring of each year) is a great opportunity to meet program staff and get information.  You can also check out the programs above, the CELTS’ online newsletter, or make an appointment to speak with Heather Schill, Coordinator of Student-Led Programs.  Feel free to drop by CELTS to meet our student staff and find out more about volunteer and labor opportunities.

We are looking for students with a heart for service, leadership potential, a willingness to learn and grow, and a desire to work with a team of like-minded students and staff to make a difference in our community.