OCS Programs

Adopt-A-Family is an annual tradition at GW that matches groups or individuals with families in need during the holiday season. Participants give gifts of clothing, household necessities, gift baskets, toys, and gift certificates to families designated by the Academy of Hope, CentroNia, the Latin American Youth Center, Salvation Army, and Transitional Housing Corporation. Contact Greta Murray at sse@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-7224

 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a “Day On”, not a “Day Off”! Students celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of compassion and empowerment by volunteering to serve the Washington, D.C. community. This special one-time service event raises social awareness about poverty and inequality around D.C., and encourages civic engagement. Contact Greta Murray at sse@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-7224

Community Building Community (CBC) introduces first year students to college life and Washington, DC through a variety of fun and interesting service projects. During this three-day program prior to the start of classes, new students connect with their peers while learning about social issues and their local community. Contact Greta Murray at cbc@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-7224

DC Reads places students in local elementary schools to serve as not only  academic tutors but also positive role models.  Students with Federal Work Study earn $13-14/hour and have a flexible work schedule.  Students who do not have Federal Work Study are also welcome to volunteer. Contact Karen at dcreads@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-7141 or Emily at dcreads0910@gmail.com  or by telephone at (202) 994-1225.

Jumpstart pairs GW students with pre-school children (ages 3-5) for one-to-one support in school readiness skills.  Students with Federal Work Study earn $12/hour and may receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $1000 if they complete 300 hours of service.  Students who do not have Federal Work Study are also welcome to volunteer.  Contact Brittany Oliver at jstart@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-0833. You may also visit the Jumpstart web site at http://www.jstart.org/dc/

Neighbors Project is a volunteer placement program which works with 35 community agencies organized into seven issue areas: community development, environment, and nutrition; health, aging and disability services; hunger and homelessness; intervention services and adult education; pre-k and elementary education; secondary education; and social action and advocacy. Students who volunteer with the Neighbors Project make a difference in the community by assisting in free health clinics, visiting and delivering meals to neighborhood seniors, tutoring kids and teens one-on-one after-school or in the evening, rebuilding homes, repairing schools, and cultivating community gardens. Contact Amy Fishman at neighbor@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-6983

Special Service Events supports hundreds of GW students who volunteer in one-time service events and community service Student Organizations. These events include Adopt-A-Family and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. These special service events educate students on social issues, teach about advocacy and help students become civically engaged throughout their college careers. Contact Greta Murray at sse@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-7224

Service-Learning integrates service to the community into course curriculum.  Students receive academic credit by working with community partners to put theory into practice in addressing a variety of social concerns.  Contact Amy Fishman at neighbor@gwu.edu or by telephone at (202) 994-6983

As the following table shows, these programs provide opportunities that are one-time or ongoing, volunteer or federal work-study, and in leadership.  

.	ASB*	CBC*	DC Reads	Jumpstart	Neighbors Project	Outreach, Walks, and Volunteer Programs
One-Time	X	X			X	X
Ongoing			X	X	X
Volunteer	X	X		X	X	X
Federal Work-   Study			X	X
Leadership	X	X	X	X	X	X

*Fee associated with program participation to cover costs.