By Issue Area
Our programs address a variety of different social issues. No matter your passions, there is a place for you in community engagement! Check out this page to see a list of all of our community partners broken down by issue area.
By Program
Alliance of Civically Engaged Students (ACES)
This multi-year program is designed for undergraduate students who are in Boston their first or second year. The Northeastern University Alliance of Civically Engaged Students serves community partner organizations throughout Boston. ACES students commit to volunteering regularly in local organizations, where they build leadership skills and provide sustained service in their communities throughout their undergraduate careers.
Alternative Breaks
Alternative Breaks offers Northeastern students the chance to participate in weekend and weeklong service and learning experiences. Students volunteer with community organizations – in the United States and around the world – that address critical social issues, such as affordable housing, environmental conservation, youth education, and sustainable agriculture. Through meaningful action, reflection, and education, our volunteers explore new places and cultures, work with people from different communities, and build problem-solving and leadership skills for the future.
Community Volunteers Program (CVP)
Community Volunteers Program (CVP) is a service opportunity that engages volunteers in weekly service with community-based organizations in neighborhoods surrounding our Boston campus. CVP offers service with a variety of community organizations and social issues that allow volunteers to connect their skills and passions to service! CVP runs once a week for one semester!
Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to each preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, the children develop the necessary language and literacy skills to be ready for school, setting them on a path to academic success.
Northeastern Votes
Co-founded in 2020, the Northeastern Voter Engagement Coalition is a coalition of students, staff, and faculty working to promote voter education, registration, and turnout. Building off the years of work by the Student Government Association (SGA) and other groups seeking to mobilize voters, the Coalition hope to institutionalize democratic engagement efforts across the growing Northeastern network.
Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF)
The AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) at Northeastern University grew from the America’s Promise Alliance, a collaborative network based on “5 Promises” that form the conditions youth need to succeed: Caring Adults, Safe Spaces, Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Serve. America’s Promise is a thought leader in dropout prevention, closing the opportunity gap, and supporting young people beyond high school. Fellows serve out-of-school-time programs geared towards 6-12th graders at a partner agency. MPF requires a high level of commitment and is a great fit for recent or soon to be college graduates.
By Time Commitment:
No matter how busy you are, we have some way for you to get involved. Check out our programs, as sorted by time commitment.
One Year
Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a one-year commitment. Most participants enroll as general Corps members in their first year and serve subsequent years in leadership roles. If you are interested in spending a year developing portable skills and embarking on a direct pathway to leadership, visit our program page to learn more!
The Alliance of Civically Engaged Students
ACES is a minimum of a one-year commitment. Many students begin the program at the start of their first year, although the program is creating pathways for students to begin the program in the second semester of their first year and beyond. Visit our program page to learn more.
Massachusetts Promise Fellowship
The AmeriCorps Mass Promise Fellowship is a paid 11-month service commitment from August to July. Fellows complete year-long service projects at a partner host site organization — a nonprofit, school, or government agency in MA. Fellows commit to complete 1,700 hours of service focused on supporting out-of-school-time youth development programs for grades 6-12. MPF is a full-time (40 hour per week) commitment that’s ideal for recent or soon to be college graduates. In exchange for service Fellows receive a number of benefits including a living stipend, education award, free college courses, ongoing professional development, and more.
One Semester
Community Volunteers Program
Want to volunteer but have limited time? The Community Volunteers Program connects Northeastern students to weekly volunteering opportunities at local nonprofit organizations in Boston. Participants will commit to volunteering on a set day and time, once a week, for one semester. CVP is open to volunteers in the Summer 1, Fall, and Spring semesters. Email communityservice@northeastern.edu with questions.
Service-Learning
Service-Learning Courses are available across all colleges and can be viewed by searching the service-learning attribute on the Registrar’s website: instructions here. The structure and expectations of the service-learning component are decided on by the faculty member and will vary from course to course. Examples of past courses and projects can be found on the Service-Learning Virtual EXPO, here!
One Week or Weekend
Alternative Breaks
Alternative Breaks Programs are immersive, service and learning experience. Trips include Alternative Weekends, which typically take place in November or Alternative Spring Break trips. Northeastern students volunteer with community organizations—in the U.S. and around the world—that address critical social issues. For more information, please email communityservice@northeastern.edu