Central Service Spotlight - January 27th-February 2nd

Community Engagement has countless opportunities for you to develop and grow through service on our campus and with our Community Partners in the OKC/Edmond area. Check out the opportunities below to discover how you can make difference.

If you don’t see an opportunity you connect with, stop by the Community Engagement Office (NUC 141) where we will help to find what you’re looking for.

For any questions, please reach out to Community Engagement at volunteer@uco.edu.
Follow us on Instagram @uco_ce to keep up with our events and programming!

Community Engagement Opportunities

Central Pantry Executive Committee-Open Positions
The Central Pantry Executive Team is an organization for students to support, advocate for, and build the Central Pantry (UCO's on-campus food pantry).  The CP Executive Team will work alongside the Community Engagement office to develop the Central Pantry, work on new intiatives, connect to campus through collaborative programs, support students through donation drives, fundraising, and on-campus programs, and much more!

The Spring 2025 available positions include: Programming Director and Development Director.

Apply on UCORE before Friday, January 31st at 11:59pm.

Student Parent Program: Lunch and Learn
The next Student Parent Programs: Lunch and Learn is Tuesday, February 18th from 12:00pm-1:00pm and focused on stress management.

Register via UCORE by Wednesday, February 12th, to reserve a spot and a lunch.

Central Pantry Client Registration
The Central Pantry is UCO's on-campus, free food pantry for all students, faculty, and staff.  Once you sign up as a client, you can come shopping at the Central Pantry once a week for your entire household.

The 2024-2025 Client Form is open.  Sign-up today to shop! Register on UCORE.

Broncho Bites Notification Opt-In
Broncho Bites is an on campus initiative helping reduce food waste and providiving meals to the UCO campus community. Through this program, food left over in Ayers Kitchen is rerouted to the Broncho Bites refrigerator outside of the Central Pantry (NUC 151). This food is available to any student, faculty, or staff member that wants to grab a meal on the go.

All interested participants can opt-in to the Broncho Bites notification system to receive a text or email notification any time food is delivered to the Broncho Bites refrigerator.

Register to receive notifications when food is available!

On-Campus Service Opportunties

Alternative Spring Break Trip Applications Open
Alternative Spring Break Applications are now open and due on Friday, February 7th at 11:59pm. If you are interested in applying, applications and more information can be found on the Alternative Breaks UCORE page.

Alternative Spring Break trips provide a week-long immersive service experience surrounding an important social topic. Two trips will be offered during the 2025 Spring Break (March 15th-22nd) with topics of Disability Support and Education and Community Development and Criminal Justice Reform.

February Alternative Weekend
Register for the February's Alternative Weekend on Satruday, February 8th from 8:00am-3:00pm!

During this service-focused day, we will be partnering with Other Options, Inc. Other Options provides food, resources, services, and education to at-risk individuals and families with a focus on those affected by HIV and AIDS.

Register on UCORE before February 5th at 5:00pm.

Big Event Registration OPEN!
The 23rd Annual Big Event, one of UCO's largest days of student-led service to the Edmond/OKC Community, is on Saturday, April 5th from 9am-2pm.

Registration is now open to be a Team Leader or Volunteer.

Team Leader Registration is due on February 28th at 11:59pm.
Volunteer Registration is due on March 14th at 11:59pm.

Questions?  Email bigevent@uco.edu.

MLK Day of Service-Event Rescheduled
Community Engagement invites you to participate in our annual, nationally recognized MLK Day of Service-A Day ON, not a day off! 

On this day of service, Community Engagement will be working with the MLK Day Parade in downtown OKC. This day of service will take place on February 1, 2025. Click Here to learn more and register for the event!

Registration extended to Tuesday, January 28th at midnight.

Broncho Bites Volunteers
Broncho Bites is an initiative on campus to help reduce food waste and provide meals to the UCO campus community. Through this program, food left over at the end of the daily lunch hours in Ayers Kitchen will be rerouted to the Broncho Bites refrigerator outside of the Central Pantry (NUC 151). This food will be available to any student, faculty, or staff member that wants to grab a meal on the go.

Volunteers shifts will be available every week day that campus is open. Each shift will last from 2:00pm-3:00pm.  All volunteers will meet with a Broncho Bites representative at Ayers Kitchen to start their shift.

Register for a shift HERE!

If your office or organization has upcoming student volunteer opportunities, please send the information to volunteer@uco.edu to have it included in our weekly emails.

Off-Campus Service Opportunities

Spero Volunteer Opportunities
Spero welcomes resettled refugees by connecting our new neighbors to people, resources and learning opportunities that make Oklahoma City a place of belonging.

• Spero ELL Language Partner: The schedule is agreed upon by the tutor and neighbor and typically happens once a week for 1-2 hours. 
• Spero ELL Classroom Assistant: A Classroom Assistant supports the lead instructor as he/she facilitates the class. Classes happen all across OKC throughout the week, so we can find a class that fits best with your schedule! 
• Welcome Volunteers: Newly arriving neighbors often need additional transportation support on errands like grocery shopping and doctor’s appointments. 

​Your team selects the location and the day to hold your cleanup. If you don’t have a place in mind, we will help you identify a location. Supply kits are provided, including trash bags, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Safety vests and trash grabbers are available depending on how many are borrowed at that time. To register your LitterBlitz group, click HERE!

Volunteer with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

• Patient Companionship – Provide companionship to patients and families at their place of residence.
• Office Support and Internships – Assist with routine office duties to enhance the sources provided by hospice (areas include HR, social work, chaplaincy, bereavement, etc.).
• Special Projects –In addition to hospice companions, volunteers also assist with coordinating special projects like “Gift of a Day”, Veteran Recognition Program, and much more
• Life Journals- Volunteers meet with patients and their families to gather pictures and stories to create a memorable scrapbook journaling the patient’s life. We call this “Gift of Gratitude”.
• Veteran to Veteran- We often have veterans on service and match them up with veteran volunteers for patient care or veterans recognitions.
• Alternative Methods- Pet visits, music, art, and aroma therapy (and more!) are all available for volunteer opportunities.
• Crafty Volunteers- On your own time, make cards, blankets, door decorations, etc. to make our patient’s day a little brighter.
• Respite Volunteers- Sit with patient in their home to provide a break for a caregiver or allow caregiver to run errands, rest, or simply get out of the house.

If interested you can email tiffany.fuller@crossroadshospice.com or call (405) 632-9631 to schedule training.

Caring Hearts Hospice Inc.
Caring Hearts Hospice is looking for volunteers interested in spending time with patients in a nursing home facility. This is great experience for anyone interested in the health care field.

• Matinee Theater performances
• Arts Education – basic painting/drawing techniques; etc.
• Specialized exercise programs (i.e. Tai Chi, dance, yoga)

For more information, contact head of Volunteer Services, Christa Cook, at Christa.Cook@goodshepherdhospices.com

Freedom City
Freedom City is looking for in-person volunteers to help with their homework helpers, math buddies, pen pals, and reading buddies programs! They are currently serving the schools F.D. Moon & John Marshall middle school. They provide options to volunteer in person or virtual. Students can Text "VOLUNTEER" to 405-322-5660.

For any questions, contact mentoring coordinator, Alexia Converse, at alexia@freedomcityokc.com or contact Reading and Math Buddies Coordinator, Lena Lawson, at lena@freedomcityokc.com or visit freedomcityokc.galaxydigital.com

Bethany Children's Health Center
Bethany Children's Health Center volunteer opportunities include:

• Patient Companion: Volunteers send one-on- one time with patients of all ages, with the goal of providing engaging activities, physical comfort, and joy. Weekday shifts are 9-11 am, 2-4 pm, 4-6 pm, and 6-8 pm.
• Play While You Wait: Volunteers provide engaging activities such as crafts, games, and puzzles to patients and siblings in the Outpatient Services waiting area. Weekday shifts are 8:30-10 am; 10-11:30 am; 1-3:30 pm.
• Special Education Volunteer: Volunteers assist in each of the Center’s six special education classrooms, assisting patients with language activities, music therapy sessions, craft projects and more. Classes last one hour and occur between the hours of 9 am-12 pm and 2-4 pm, M-F
• Therapy Gym Volunteer: This volunteer postition is open to college students who are currently pursuing degrees in physical, occupational or speech therapy, music therapy or recreation therapy. Volunteers facilitate one- on-one or small group activities, and sanitize and organize therapy equipment. Volunteers must commit to one weekly two-hour shift for 15 weeks. Shifts are 9-11 am and 2-4 pm, M-F.

For more information, contact Volunteer Services Manager, Bailey Tyler, at BTyler@bethanychildrens.org or 405-470-2284.

LifeSpring Hospice
LifeSpring Hospice has Volunteer Opportunities available for anyone 18 years or older with a heart to serve others. This opportunity is perfect for students that need community services hours and can spare a few hours a week. Volunteers are a vital part of their hospice team. They provide patients with companionship and give them the gift of their time. Volunteer Opportunities are available in Edmond, OKC, Norman, Chickasha, Pauls Valley, Shawnee and Sayre. They have patients in Edmond’s Touchmark at Coffee Creek Assisted Living Community and OKC’s Bellevue Health & Rehab Center who would love to have the companionship of a volunteer.

For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Lee Lewis, at LeeAndrea.Lewis@lifespringhomecare.com or call 405-329-4545.

APEX Hospice
Apex Hospice is seeking volunteers to visit hospice patients that either live in their own homes or facilities. Volunteers will stop by for a friendly visit, help with chores, or give the caregiver a break. Volunteering is flexible and can work around any schedule.

Email or call Volunteer Coordinator, Brenda Garrett, to schedule a training at your convenience at Bgarrett.mission@gmail.com or 405-850-4580.

Feed the Children Volunteer Opportunities
Feed the Children is looking for volunteer groups to help build food or hygiene boxes that go out to families in Oklahoma. Shifts last 2-3 hours during the week and occasionally on Saturdays. In our Oklahoma warehouse, we have the pleasure of housing our Teacher Store which provides approved teachers with donated books, supplies, etc. The Teacher Store needs help from volunteers to check teachers in/out on shopping days, sort, organize, and stock the donated supplies.

To register or learn more, go to https://www.feedthechildren.org/get-involved/volunteer/ or contact Hailey Montgomery at hailey.montgomery@feedthechildren.org.

Humanity Hospice Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with Humanity Hospice is a wonderful way to give back to the community, increase preference points for college, future employment and much more. There are many ways to volunteer at Humanity Hospice. Each area of service is equally important and all of them help us to achieve our goal of providing the best care possible for our patients and their loved ones.

Opportunities include but are not limited to the following:

• Administrative: This can be done between normal business hours; Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Tasks include helping with various office duties such as phones, filing, faxing, and putting together packets
• Events: These hours vary in days and times. Tasks include things like hosting Bingo at a facility, helping Marketers with various events and luncheons, dropping off gifts to patients, physicians and facilities, putting together crafts and gift baskets as well as other types of marketing needs.
• Patient Care: Humanity Hospice serves patients in numerous areas across the state both in homes and facilities. Volunteers who serve by visiting with patients and families may do so on days and times of their choosing. Patient care volunteers are there to provide emotional support through human contact. No administering of medications, medical interventions, hygiene services and so forth are done by volunteers. Simple companionship is all that is needed.

For more information, contact Kerri Wells, Volunteer Coordinator at kerri@humanityhospice.com

Edmond Mobile Meals
Edmond Mobile Meals needs volunteers for meal delivery to Homebound Seniors. Meals are delivered Monday - Friday between 10:30am-12:30pm. Volunteers pick up meals and deliver a route to homebound seniors in Edmond.

Visit https://edmondmobilemeals.org/volunteer/ to sign up to volunteer. For any questions please reach out to Cristi Twenter at cristi@edmondmobilemeals.org

TEEM
Come help your local community by volunteering with TEEM!

Why we do it:
The Education and Employment Ministry, also known as TEEM, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty through education, personal development, and work readiness training.

TEEM takes a three-pronged approach to breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty in Oklahoma by providing individuals with education, social services, and job training and placement. They holistically prepare participants for employment by incorporating mentorship, life skills training and confidence building into their program. By giving a hand up, they help participants refine their skills and achieve their goals.

What you will do:
Volunteers make TEEM’s work possible! You can help by:

• Organizing clothing, food, and hygiene donations
• Conducting mock interviews
• Helping in the computer lab
• Writing notes of encouragement
• Being a mentor for a TEEM participant
• Advocating in the community

Or bringing your uniques skills to TEEM to find an opportunity that is right for you!

How to sign up:
To volunteer for any of these opportunities, start HERE!