Voluntary Action Program

As part of the career exploration and decision making process, MCC Career Services (through its Voluntary Action Program) encourages volunteerism and community service to students, alumni and community members. By having an opportunity to "get your feet wet" and be introduced to the various ways you can contribute to your community and to local business and industry, you can not only make a postive impact on society, but also find out what you enjoy doing. You may also discover what you do not enjoy doing, and we consider this all part of the learning process. Either way, our hope is that you will experience the reward of serving your community and begin to develop a stronger sense of personal and social responsibility.

Each year, Voluntary Action distributes information regarding volunteer opportunities to students, alumni and community members through various means. First, by hosting a Community Service Fair each fall, we are able to bring approximately 25-30 community based organizations to campus as part of an organized volunteer recruitment effort. We maintain a contact list from this event and provide it to students year round as they visit our office and inquire about ways to fulfill a service learning component for class, court mandated community service hours, or simply reach a personal goal related to civic engagement.

Another resource that we encourage using, for those interested in volunteer opportunities close to home, is www.volunteersolutions.org. Through this web portal, which is powered through the United Way, individuals can simply submit their zip code to view and learn more about volunteer positions in their area.

In addition, we maintain a list a weblinks that directs individuals to the general information or volunteer opportunities page within the website of a number of local and national non-profit organizations. Please view this list of organizations and feel free to connect to the sites below.

• AIDS Project Hartford
• American Red Cross
• Birthright of Greater Hartford, Inc.
• Catholic Charities
• Center City Churches/Center For Youth
• Chrysalis Center, Inc.
• Concora
• Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
• Connecticut Woman's Education and Legal Fund
• CT DAR: CT Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
• Foodshare, Inc.
• Gilead Community Services
• Girl Scouts of Connecticut
• Hands On Hartford (formerly Center City Churches)
• HARC (The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens)
• Hockanum Valley Community Council, Inc.
• Kidsafe, CT
• Klingberg Family Centers
• Living In Safe Alternatives, Inc.
• Lojeri Productions
• Manchester Area Conference of Churches
• Manchester Initiative for Supportive Housing
• Manchester Youth Service Bureau
• MentorNet
• My Sister's Place, Inc.
• New England Farm Workers Council
• Notre Dame Americorps
• Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Skiiers Unlimited
• The Barnaba Institute
• The Salvation Army
• Town of Manchester Elderly and Family Services
• True Colors, Inc.
• United Way of the Capital Area
• Urban League of Greater Hartford
• World-Wide Lighthouse Missions, Inc.