A Guide for Non-Profit Organizations to the Service-Learning Center at Calvin College

The Service-Learning Center is the hub for Calvin student and faculty involvement in service with the local community. If you have a program in which you are seeking Calvin involvement, call us. If our program is not the one you need, we will do our best to direct you to the appropriate person or program.

Fill out a position Description Form
We use a Position Description form to file information about opportunities for service in your organization. It contains basic contact information as well as details about the positions.

The Term Service-Learning At Calvin College
Our philosophy at the Service-Learning Center is that all service is relational. It is dynamic exchange between and among people. Everyone gives and everyone receives. The lines between giver and receiver are blurred or even obliterated. We encourage all of the students and faculty who participate in our programs to view themselves as both servants and learners. We use the term "service-learning" to describe what we do and we call all of our participants "service-learners". As with all terms, "service-learning" may be utilized differently in other organizations. And we do our best to try to learn and honor the specific terms our partner organizations use for service-learning.

Our Basic Programs
Just like there are a myriad of different needs for "service-learning" in the community, there are a myriad of different reasons and auspices through which students and faculty interact with the Service-Learning Center. However, in basic categories, there are three main "programs" through which students might be referred to community organizations:

Most students are participating in academically-based service learning. Course based service-learning is arranged by the professor and the Service-Learning Center. In Academically-Based Service-Learning we are trying to create a match between a community need and specific learning goals professors have for their students. The possibilities are very broad and an idea you may dismiss, could be the idea we need -- so call us!

Some students independently seek service-learning experiences. Some students are seeking an experience that will assist them in preparing for a particular vocation. Others are interested in specific issues and causes. Many of these students "walk-in" or call us for ideas. During the months of September and February we recruit students for organizations with whom we have a relationship or partnership. However, we keep a list of all requests. And during the months of October and November and again in March and April, we "put out the word" about a variety of service-learning opportunities - especially special needs, projects and one-time opportunities. Feel free to call us with special opportunities or needs.

Several groups and organizations on campus form partnerships with specific organizations and causes. Other groups look to our office to provide information about short term or one-time projects. Community organizations working with a group will most likely be working with a student leader.

How to Work With Us
We operate within an academic framework with a focus on two semesters: September through early December and February through early May. Our office is staffed full time on weekdays from September through early May. Other times of the year, our hours are not consistent, but there is always someone listening to and responding to voice-mail, so never hesitate to call.

We work on both sides of the Community and Calvin College equation. We assist the community in finding Calvin faculty and students who can respond to opportunities it presents AND we assist Calvin faculty and students in finding ways they can utilize their interests and learning needs to serve in the community.

We have three professional staff, a Director, an Associate Director, and a Department Assistant who provide direction and continuity to the program. The student professionals who work in intern-like positions for one to three years and coordinate various activities and programs are very devoted and a critical part of our staff.

There are so many variables, that it is difficult to codify the specific criteria for the organizations we will be able to serve. We place a priority on serving with organizations that are engaged in the development of people who are the most disadvantaged in our community. We need to work through an incorporated organization that has the ability to provide structure and support students. We also have some geographic restrictions: our primary focus is on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. We won't be able to respond to every need presented to us. We do receive numerous requests for some categories of service and are only able to meet some of the need (for example: tutoring).

Staff and Student Leadership
Director: Jeff Bouman
Associate Director: Lori Gesink