Many students look for ways to engage with the community beyond campus, and volunteering offers a meaningful way to do so. From local shelters to environmental initiatives, there are numerous opportunities for students to contribute their time and skills to causes that matter. Volunteering can be a way to support important work, gain new experiences and build connections with people outside the university setting. This article highlights various organizations and programs that welcome volunteers around the Andrews University area and how to get involved.
1. Provision Living (St. Joseph)
Located just 16 minutes from Andrews, Provision Living is a senior living community that offers opportunities for students to engage with the residents through conversation, activities, and various events. Service Sabbaths, hosted by the Center for Faith Engagement, have routinely featured events at Provision Living, where students have interacted with the residents while doing fun activities together, such as gingerbread house decorating! This opportunity, whether done through Service Sabbath or by personal initiative, allows people to foster intergenerational connections while contributing to the well-being of the local senior community.
2. Humane Society (St. Joseph)
The Humane Society, only 9 minutes away, is open to volunteers after an orientation process. Volunteers can socialize, play with, groom, spend time with and teach animals simple commands. There are also opportunities for volunteers to help with the office and facility by greeting visitors, answering and transferring phone calls, making adoption follow-up calls, light filing, help with mailings, cleaning up the facility and doing inventories. This opportunity is ideal for those who enjoy working with animals.
3. Recycling Program Volunteering (Berrien County)
The Recycling Program occurs all over Berrien County. The county requires volunteers to help carry out recycling programs, offering opportunities including in-office work, teaching children and helping at outdoor recycling collections. One of their upcoming events will be from mid-May through mid-September, during which volunteers will be needed to help pick up litter at Silver Beach County Park (St. Joseph) and Rocky Gap County Park (Benton Township).
4. Service Sabbaths
If you aren’t sure where to start volunteering but are willing to try, the Center for Faith Engagement’s (CFE) Service Sabbaths provide a wonderful opportunity to explore various volunteering options. Hosted every month, Service Sabbaths offer two separate options every time the event takes place. This upcoming Service Sabbath will be held on March 1 and features the choice between visiting Provision Living and assembling care packages for the women at St. Margaret’s House starting at 2:30 p.m. with a brief meeting at CFE in the Campus Center. Co-curricular credit will be provided.
Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time—it’s about connecting with people, learning from new experiences, finding ways to make a real impact on those in your community and building stronger bonds. If you’re not sure where to start, Service Sabbaths provide an easy way to try different types of volunteering with other students. No matter how you choose to get involved, giving back to the community can be a rewarding and eye-opening experience—one that just might change the way you see the world around you.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.