We now have a new way of searching for Service-Learning Opportunities! You may view a complete listing of all our Service Learning Opportunities by signing in to Knightvision.

Below is a representative sample of the agencies with whom we partner:

ART/MUSIC

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities - The Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities mission is to transform the Grandville Avenue neighborhood through reading and the arts and celebrating the neighborhood's cultural richness. Amy Brower, 616-742-5499

Heartside Ministry - A Christian ministry that offers spiritual care, art, education, and advocacy with the poor and homeless in the Heartside neighborhood of downtown Grand Rapids. Barb Pekich, 616-235-7211.

CHILDCARE

Inner City Christian Federation - Their housing opportunities and services encourage family responsibility and independence. They also provide courses on home ownership and free childcare to the parents throughout the process. Jody Lewis, 616-336-9333, ext. 209.

United Methodist Community House - The United Methodist Community House runs programs that seek to "increase the ability of children, youth, adults and families to succeed in a diverse community" in urban, Southeast Grand Rapids. Laurie McKinven-Copus, 616-452-3226, ext. 3023.

ELDERLY

Heartland Hospice Services - Heartland Hospice Services provide home and hospice care for the elderly facing life-limiting illnesses. Madelyn Thompson, 616-956-0636.

LANGUAGES

East Paris Christian Reformed Church - Conduct a ESL tutoring program in conjuction with Lutheran Social Services during the week. Lynn Boersma, 616-464-0438.

Roosevelt Park Community CRC - Roosevelt Park CRC resides in Southwest Grand Rapids. A component of their ministry involves connecting Spanish speaking people in their church community with English speaking partners in order to practice for new English speakers to be able to practice their English. Pastor Pablo Canché, 616-243-5875

MAINTENANCE

Adams Park Apartments - The Adams Park apartments provide residence for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals and services that increase resident independence. Volunteers help keep up the apartments and provide companionship for residents. Tiffany Greene or Jan King Duncan, 616-235-2933.

Michigan Christian Home - A Christian home which provides housing and health care to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of the elderly. Joy Dornbos, 616-9179.

Second Harvest Gleaners - Second Harvest Gleaners seeks to feed the hungry in West Michigan by soliciting marketable food and other grocery products from all available sources, and judiciously distributes those goods to the needy through nonprofit charities who distribute such goods to the needy at no charge. Dena Rogers: 616-784-3250.

MEDICAL

Catherine's Care Center - Established through St. Mary's Hospital, Catherine's Care Center is a free health care clinic that focuses on wellness and preventative health in the Creston community. Patricia Sully, 616-454-7900.

The Lack's Cancer Center- Operating out of St. Mary's Hospital, Lack's Cancer Center treats and cares for those requiring cancer treatment. Kelley Lynch, 616-752-5522

Michigan Community Blood Centers- The Blood Center serves Kent County hospitals by performing blood drives and donating blood and its derivatives for the use of hospital patients' medical treatment. Volunteer Services, 616-233-8523

MENTOR/FRIEND

Hispanic Center of Western Michigan - The Hispanic Center provides tutor/mentor relationships to help Hispanic youth achieve their vocational and edcational goals. John Vega, 616-742-0205.

Big Brother Big Sisters of America - Big Brother/Big Sister is the nation's oldest and largest youth mentoring organization. Since 1904, caring volunteers have been helping millions of children reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams. Paul Miller: 616-451-2021.

Wedgwood Christian Services- Wedgwood works with Grand Rapids youth to instill hope and excitement in their lives and leads them towards a life of productivity and fulfillment. They do this through a variety of programs, such as the YES (Youth Empowerment Services) mentoring program. Becky Toth, 616-942-9548

NATURAL SCIENCES

West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) - WMEAC

Wittenback Agriscience and Environmental Center - The Wittenbach Center is run by Lowell area schools and focuses on the teaching students about the science of agriculture and the environment. Tammy Debaar, 616-987-1102.

OFFICE WORK

The Arc Kent County - The Arc is a nation-wide organization that has been sustained since 1950 as an organization that works with people with mental, and other developmental, disabilities. Rachel Urquhart, 616-459-3339

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park promotes "the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment and the arts." The gardens range from semi-arid to tropical, sculptures from DaVinci to Rodan, and the arts from Bela Fleck to Art Garfunkel. They also run a children's park and orchid propogation center. Amy Brower, 616-974-5234

SOCIAL WORK

Child & Family Resource Council - Their mission is to create a community which protects children from abuse and neglect. They do this by creating public awareness, ensuring healthy child and family development, creating good family relationships, and educating young parents on healthy parenting techniques. Jacki Postma, 616-454-4673.

Well House Homeless Shelter - A not-for-profit organization which provides a continuum of distinctive living environments and innovative services primarily for senior adults in a caring, Christian atmosphere. Rebecca Barnes: 616-954-1799 ext. 233.

YMCA Domestic Crisis Center- The Domestic Crisis Center seeks the elimination of sexual victimization and domestic violence through shelter, advocacy, treatment, education, and social change. Mary Jo Adgate, 616-451-2744

SPECIAL NEEDS

The Arc Kent County - The Arc is a nation-wide organization that has been sustained since 1950 as an organization that works with people with mental, and other developmental, disabilities. Rachel Urquhart, 616-459-3339.

Northern Hills Middle School - Northern Hills is located in Northeast Grand Rapids and serves special needs students both in a Learning Disabilities resource room and integrating them into general education classrooms. Nancy Susterka, 616-493-8650

TUTORING

Baxter Community Center - Baxter Community Center serves the Baxter Neighborhood by empowering and assisting individuals and families to meet all of their needs, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. They do this through a variety of programs, such as health clinics, recreation and fitness classes, and daycare and tutoring for youth. Dee Lucas, 616-456-8593

Campfire USA-LOOP After School Program - As a not-for-profit, youth development organization, they have a mission of building caring, confident youth and future leaders. Their after school tutoring program takes place at Burton Middle School. Lisa Williams, 616-247-3638.

Heart of West Michigan United Way: FACTS Program - Their purpose is to educate, inspire, and mentor students in the Grand Rapids Public School system through reading with them every week, as a means to their greater goal of creating people who value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and are prepared for the work force. Tarin Lintemuth, 616-632-1002.

Hispanic Center of Western Michigan - They provide tutor/mentor relationships to help Hispanic youth achieve their vocational and edcational goals. John Vega, 616-742-0205.

Junior Achievement - Their purpose is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and be better prepared for the work force. Pat Wolf: 616-575-9080.

Restorers - Restorers seeks to create partnerships between community and church as a means to sustainable, long-lasting changes which promote dignity and a high quality of life. Their programs range from the Hattie Beverly Youth Development Program; ESL classes; young mothers' mentoring; healthy marriages counselling; and financial management courses. Matt Poole, 616-243-1984

YOUTH/TEENS

Girls Scouts of Michigan Trails - The Girl Scouts of Michigan mission is to inspire all girls through Girl Scouting to the highest ideals of self-worth and dignity, that they may become caring, capable and competent young women; and to expose girls to diverse experiences that they may recognize and appreciate the pluralistic nature of society. Service Center, 616-784-3341 or 1-800-422-1401

Public Museum of Grand Rapids - The Public Museum of Grand Rapids manages all of the public museums in Grand Rapids. They run the Van Andel Museum and Voigt house. Joyce Makinen, 616-456-3588