About CVP
The Community Volunteers Program (CVP) connects Northeastern students with consistent volunteer opportunities at local nonprofit organizations in Boston. Volunteers commit to serving on the same day and time throughout the duration of the semester. They have the opportunity to choose from over 12 organizations that typically include tutoring in after school programs, preparing meals for people experiencing food insecurity, repairing furniture, and more!
Fill out an application with your interests and availability to matched with a service opportunity that best fits you and your schedule! All current Northeastern students are eligible to apply for CVP (including full- and part-time graduate students).
Through this program, Community Volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Work directly with a community-based organization that aligns with their passions, interests, and or skills.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how organizations in Boston approach social issue(s) in the communities.
- Enhance their professional development through hands-on experience.
- Expand their personal and professional networks with non-profit staff, students, and community residents
- Attend monthly training events with an emphasis on reflection and education with fellow Community Volunteers
- Attend social events with fellow volunteers
- Receive participant recognition for dedication and impact
Commitment Cycle:
Fall: September – December – (Applications open August 2023)
Spring: January – April – (Applications open December 2023)
Summer 1: May – June – (Applications open April 2024)
Commitment Type:
Once a week for 1 semester
Get Involved!
Learn more about the volunteer, leadership, and student employment opportunities available through CVP!
CVP Coordinator
The
Requirements:
- Previous experience as a CVP Participant and completion of all program requirements for at least one semester, with preference to multiple semesters in CVP
- Other community service and community engagement experience
- Understanding of our asset-based approach to community engagement
- Ability to commit to 5-10 hours of work per week (will vary week to week)
Preferences:
- Undergraduate student
- Work study eligible
- Experience in student leadership including peer-to-peer support and education
Responsibilities:
- Be a point of contact for CVP Site Leaders (new role!)
- Maintain communication and support CVP Site Leaders throughout their service
- Develop social programming for CVP Site Leaders and Participants
- Facilitate leadership trainings for Site Leaders
- Maintain accurate records of CVP involvement
- Collaborate with Co-op and other CSCE student workers to plan events, program operations, etc.
Compensation
- $15.00 – $17.00 per hour
- If you are eligible for work study, your work study funds will be used for this position.
- Students enrolled in classes may not exceed 20 hours/week work paid thr.
Site Leaders
The Site Leader role is a new component of our Community Volunteers Program! In this role, students will have the opportunity to connect with their fellow volunteers by providing peer accountability, logistical support, and helping to strengthen the volunteer community within CVP.
Requirements:
- Previous experience as a participant in CVP preferred
- Previous experience in volunteering and community engagement
- Ability to commit to semesterly CVP requirements with an additional 1-2 hours of work per week
- 4-6 hours dedicated to per week (this includes your weekly service commitment)
- Interest in supporting your fellow volunteers!
Responsibilities:
- Lead CVP Participants at your assigned service site/CVP community partner
- Complete weekly service commitment at your service site/CVP community partner
- Ensure all participants at your site are engaged in service and tracking their attendance appropriately
- Serve as a point of contact for fellow CVP site participants
- This includes general support around logistics, debriefing shifts, and other related questions and concerns
- Demonstrate how to appropriately communicate with community partners
- This includes effective communication around changes to service schedule due to illness, final exams, etc
- Collaborate on at least 1 social event for participants at service site over course of the semester
- Assist in planning and facilitating Reflection Sessions
- Attend leadership orientation and other trainings as provided
Eligibility
- Must be a current undergraduate student at Northeastern University in good standing academically (above a 2.0 GPA) and disciplinary (no pending cases with OSCCR).
CVP Newsletter
The newsletter keeps volunteers up-to date with CVP by providing important updates, reminders, and resources relating to service. Whether you are an experienced CVP member or a first-timer, stay informed about CVP with the newsletter!
(CVP members will be automatically signed up to receive the CVP newsletter upon being accepted into the program)
Apply to be a volunteer for the next cycle of CVP!
CVP Applications for Fall 2023 will open August 23rd!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there service during holidays?
You are not required to attend service during university-observed holidays and breaks. You may still attend service if you would like!
**PLEASE REMIND YOUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS of the university-observed holiday if you choose not to attend service !
Is transportation provided? How do I get to service?
- Given the variety in student’s schedules, some may be available to meet up and travel to service as a group – but this not something we have set up across our CVP placements.
- During CVP orientation, the CVP team will provide overviews of travel routes to each service site
- If you are in need of assistance, we have a limited number of t-passes we plan to offer. Please reach out to the CVP team to learn more.
- After completing a semester of CVP along with all CVP requirements, volunteers will receive
- A certificate of completion
- Increased eligibility for CVP leadership positions (both paid and unpaid) and other CSCE leadership
- More!
- We are still developing participant recognition for those who have successfully completed all CVP requirements! We plan to offer more recognition, awards, and benefits in the future!
What if there are certain tasks I can’t do?
- Should you need any accommodations or alterations to your service task, please communicate that directly to the community partner. They are very understanding and want you to be able to contribute your best work to service!
- If you need additional support in advocating for yourself, or if your needs are not being met, please contact the CVP team directly.
What are the program requirements?
- Log their service attendance
- Attend an in-person orientation session before starting service (volunteers can choose from multiple sessions)
- Attend one reflection session after starting service (reflection sessions give volunteers the opportunity to meet other volunteers think critically about their experiences with service)
What happens if I don’t meet the program requirements at the end of CVP?
- Failure to meet program expectations and requirements can impact your ability to participate in Csce programs in the future (Alt. Breaks, ACES, Jumpstart, MPF, NUVotes etc.)
- Failure to meet program expectations and requirements can impact your ability to receive program recognition
- For extenuating circumstances, please contact the CVP team directly (we are very understanding!)
What program recognition will I receive from completing CVP?
After completing a semester of CVP along with all CVP requirements, volunteers will receive
- A certificate of completion
- Increased eligibility for CVP leadership positions (both paid and unpaid) and other CSCE leadership
- More!
We are still developing participant recognition for those who have successfully completed all CVP requirements! We plan to offer more recognition, awards, and benefits in the future!
Are CVP volunteers paid?
CVP volunteers are unpaid. We have a limited number of paid leadership positions – currently this includes the CVP coordinator and may expand in the future.
For students who are work-study eligible and looking to engage in our work, please email Erin Curley
2023-2024 CVP Community Partners
826 Boston
826 Boston is a nonprofit youth writing and publishing organization that empowers traditionally underserved students ages 6-18 to find their voices, tell their stories, and gain communication skills to succeed in school and in life.
Their services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. With this understanding in mind, they provide after-school tutoring, creative writing workshops, help for English Language Learners, and in depth publishing projects.
Volunteers will mainly engage in after- school tutoring!
Learn more about 826 Boston on their website.
Community Servings
Community Servings actively engages the community to provide medically tailored, nutritious, scratch-made meals to chronically and critically ill individuals and their families.
Volunteers will mainly help prepare and package meals in the Community Servings kitchen!
Requirements for CVP volunteers at Community Servings:
- Proof of up-to-date vaccination (a photo is sufficient)
- Pants covering the ankles, long sleeve shirts, and close toed shoes (gloves, aprons, and hairnets provided)
- Good health on day of service (volunteers should not attend service if not feeling well as they will be working hands on with food)
Learn more about Community Servings on their website.
Boston Building Resources
Boston Building Resources inspires, educates, and empowers homeowners to increase the efficiency and value of their homes. They focus on affordable solutions that help all neighbors.
Volunteers will mainly help transport and restore furniture. **Service may include heavy lifting**
Learn more about Boston Building Resources on their website.
EV Kids
EVkids empowers underserved Boston youth with the skills and confidence needed to realize their potential. Since 2007, 100% of their high school seniors have graduated on time and gone on to college or another job corps prep program.
They accomplish this by recruiting and training motivated university students as tutors who provide one-on-one, multi-year, after-school tutoring and mentoring, closely supported by professional staff who provide family engagement and school advocacy.
By building a caring community of support, where success is expected and achievable together, EVkids and their tutors can become integral parts of a more socially just, equitable, and compassionate world.
Volunteers who tutor there commit to living into three values of the tutor experience: service, reflection, and community.
Learn more about EV Kids on their website.
Orchard Gardens Boys and Girls Club
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston is to help young people, especially those in greatest need, build strong character and realize their full potential as responsible citizens and leaders.
Learn more about Orchard Gardens on their website.
Hyde Square Task Force
Hyde Square Task Force amplifies the power, creativity, and voicesof youth, connecting them to Afro-Latin culture and heritage so they can create a diverse, vibrant Latin Quarter and build a just, equitable Boston.
They support youth as they explore, master, and celebrate Afro-Latin culture through art; learn, grow, and achieve academically and in life; and develop into change makers and advocates for themselves.
Learn more about Hyde Sqaure Task Force on their website.
Boston Tax Help Coalition
Boston Tax Help Coalition provides resources/services to friends, family, and neighbors in our community, free for developing tax skills and personal finance capabilities
Several volunteer opportunities are available including Tax Preparer, Financial Guide, Bilingual Interpreter, and members of the Community Engagement Liaison.
Learn more about Boston Tax Help on their website
Artists for Humanity
Artists for Humanity (AFH) provides under-resourced teens the keys toself-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design.
AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people. Bridging economic, racial and social divisions, AFH enriches urban communities by introducing young people’s creativity to the business community.
Learn more about AFH on their website.
Boston Scores (new!)
Boston Scores partners with Boston Public Schools to provide urban youth in grades K-12 with after-school soccer & enrichment programs. Students, divided by gender, typically participate in Scores activities 3-5 days per week. This includes 2 days of soccer practices, 2 days of enrichment classes, and one soccer game day in which teams are transported to nearby soccer fields to play other Scores teams.
Learn more about Boston Scores on their website.
Grant AME (new!)
Grant African Methodist Episcopal is a multicultural and multi-faith church. Volunteers will engage with students and church school staff. Our Hope Healers program supports students attending Boston Public Schools such as Boston Latin and other students in the Roxbury community. Tasks include individual homework help, lesson re-teaching and curriculum re-building. Volunteering with our Hope Healers program is a mentorship and learning opportunity. We have available tutoring roles for our virtual & on-site location at Grant A.M.E and Boston Latin School.
For more information, please visit our blog at https://hopehealerstutorialprogram.blogspot.com and our website at http://grantame-boston.org
Girls LEAP (new!)
Girls’ LEAP is a youth-serving nonprofit organization with over 20 years’ experience delivering gender-specific, out-of-school programming to girls in Greater Boston. Their mission is to disrupt the violence that surrounds girls and nonbinary youth by amplifying their voices, emboldening their courage, and imparting critical life and self-defense skills so they can take on challenges with confidence.
Learn more about Girls LEAP on their website.
Contact Us
Erin Curley, MSW
Assistant Director, Community Service Programs & Events
Email: e.curley@northeastern.edu
Phone: +1 617 373 8606
Follow our Instagram below for live updates and opportunities!
