COVE volunteer teams partner with dozens of local community organizations each year. Our students are youth tutors and mentors. They engage with elders and train to be first responders. They care for rescue animals and advocate for civil rights on and off campus.
Student Service Teams
The core of activity at the COVE is done by student-run organizations that work in the community. Groups receive guidance and leadership training from our professional staff and the community nonprofits they support. Teams are open to all current students and many accept new volunteers throughout the academic year.
Alternative Break Trips
The COVE offers a variety of alternative break service trips during winter and spring. These trips engage students in community service and deepen students’ understanding of pertinent social issues through direct service, community collaboration, and experiential learning. If you are interested in leading, hosting, or participating in an alternative break trip, please contact Libby Boissy at eboissy@colgate.edu.
Day of Service
Each year, the COVE invites student, staff, faculty, and alumni to join in the national days of service surrounding 9/11 Day of Remembrance, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Earth Day. Participants dedicate an afternoon to volunteering with local community partners. If you are interested in hosting student volunteers or participating in a Day of Service, reach out to Libby Boissy at eboissy@colgat.edu.
Salvage
At the end of each academic year, students are encouraged to donate new or gently-used goods that can be repurposed in our community. These items are collected, organized, and shared out to participating local nonprofits saving more than $60,000 worth of items from landfills. Through student donations our partners receive much-needed supplies to furnish transitional housing; provide warm clothing, bedding, and educational materials; and stock food pantry shelves. Contact Sarah Sparber at ssparber@colgate.edu to inquire about volunteering or joining as a recipient organization.