All posts by Sara Gladwin

Environmental

Bartram’s Garden

Mission:

Situated on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Bartram’s Garden is best known as the home, farm, and garden of John Bartram (1699-1777), America’s first naturalist botanist and plant explorer. The non-profit John Bartram Association, in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, seeks to preserve the historical legacy of the site while making a meaningful impact on the surrounding community and promoting environmentally responsible practices.

Programs/Services Offered:

The Gardens serve as a host site for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Roots to Re-entry program; offer educational programing and workshops for visitors of all ages; include a section of the Schuylkill River Trail; and house  the John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library, which curates the writings, genealogical information, books, and photographs by and about the Bartrams and their garden.

Student Opportunities:

Bartram’s Gardens host public volunteer days on the second Saturday of each month from March to October, 9 am to noon. Preregistration is necessary. Special events for volunteers and opportunities in the nursery and store also occur regularly. For upcoming events and registration, visit http://www.bartramsgarden.org/volunteer/.

Bartram’s Garden
54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.729.5281

Environmental, Radnor

Radnor Middle School Watershed Program

Mission:

Watershed is an Integrated Learning Program for Seventh Graders at the Radnor Middle School in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The nationally and internationally recognized Watershed Program was founded  in 1987, and for twenty- four years, Watershed has been a yearlong full day program, which has replaced the traditional 7th grade curriculum. Skills and concepts are integrated around the comprehensive study of a local watershed through a combination of classroom activities and site visits.  A heterogeneous mix of twenty boys and twenty girls are admitted each year through a lottery process. Students are encouraged to gather, retain, interrelate, apply and communicate first hand information about watersheds with special emphasis on what it means to live sustainably in the 21st century.

Student Opportunities:

Bryn Mawr students have partnered with the Radnor Middle School Watershed Program on Praxis III courses in the past. Contact the Bryn Mawr Civic Engagement Office for more information, or contact Watershed program coordinators Jon Savitch (jon.savitch@rtsd.org) and Banny Ackerman (banny.ackerman@rtsd.org).

Phone: 610-386-6300 x7210

Website: http://www.rtsd.org/Page/4725

Philadelphia, Tutoring

Tutoring Program at Puentes de Salud

Puentes de Salud is a non-profit community health and wellness organization that partners with the Mexican immigrant population in south Philadelphia to promote well being by providing health care in addition to a variety of other programs. Currently, Puentes de Salud is working in partnership with the Graduate School of Education (GSE) at The University of Pennsylvania to develop an after school tutoring & mentoring program that focuses on the education of undocumented, immigrant children in the elementary grades 1-3. We are seeking motivated and committed volunteers to join us in this effort as tutors and mentors. Group tutoring sessions will pair tutors with two to three students to help them with their homework, educational development, and social support. This opportunity will require a commitment of 2 hours per week, with a minimum of one semester of service requested. We are hoping to have teams of 2 tutors paired with 4 students, with a mandatory meeting one afternoon per week and drop-in hours on the other days.

Website: http://www.puentesdesalud.org/

Phone: 215/490-6700

Email: puentes.tutor@gmail.com

*This site is accessible via public transportation from the Bryn Mawr campus.

Please see transportation reimbursement policy.

ELL, Philadelphia, Tutoring

Nationalities Service Center

Established in 1921, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides social, educational, senior, translation/interpretation, and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. You can help by volunteering/interning in a number of capacities, including as a teacher, teaching assistant, tutor, office helper, graphic designer, companion, bilingual receptionist, and more. Please see their website for more information.

Website: http://www.nationalitiesservice.org/

See https://nscphila.org/how-you-can-help to learn more about opportunities for volunteers.

Phone: 215-893-8400

Address: 1216 Arch Street 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107  (Click here for map)

*This site is accessible via public transportation from the Bryn Mawr campus.

Please see transportation reimbursement policy.

Arts, Music, Philadelphia

Girls Rock Philly

Girls Rock Philly is an initiative to bring Philadelphia a girls-only, week-long summer day camp serving junior rockers ages 9-17. Led by a team of all female instructors & band coaches, girls in the program learn how to play musical instruments, write songs, make their own band merchandise, discover other women in rock & finesse their on-stage jump kicks.

Want to get involved? They need the year-round help of reliable, dedicated people to make camp happen. Some positions require musical experience, but there are many positions that do not. All positions are available to female & female-identifying volunteers, with opportunities available for men as well!

Volunteer here: https://www.girlsrockphilly.org/volunteer

Website: http://www.girlsrockphilly.org/

Phone: (215) 789-4879

Email: volunteer@girlsrockphilly.org

*This site is accessible via public transportation from the Bryn Mawr campus.

Please see transportation reimbursement policy.

Camden, Environmental, Urban

Center for Environmental Transformation

Mission:

Founded by a Roman Catholic community, the Center for Environmental Transformation directs its efforts to all people, particularly those who live in the neighborhood of Waterfront South and the City of Camden, NJ.  The mission of the CFET is to educate people into a more environmentally responsible way of living. They seek to engage in sustainable modes of food production, storm water management, and waste recycling for the benefit of the people of the neighborhood and the residents of the entire city.

Services/Programs Offered:

CFET manages urban farms, education and internship programs for grade- and high school children, environmental retreats, and a farmers’ market.
Learn more at: http://www.cfet.org/programs/

Student Opportunities:

On the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 am until noon, volunteers are invited to help out in the CFET’s gardens. Other opportunities include advocacy work, story-telling, cooking, teaching, and a variety of other projects
For more info, visit: http://www.cfet.org/get-involved/

CFET
1729 Ferry Avenue
Camden, NJ 08104
(856) 365-8111
info@cfet.org

Environmental, Musuem Education, Science, STEM

The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University

Mission:

Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences is America’s oldest natural history museum and a world leader in biodiversity and environmental research. The mission of the Academy is to encourage and cultivate the sciences, explore the remarkable diversity of the natural world, and share these discoveries with the public through innovative exhibits, publications, and educational programming.

Programs/Services Offered

The Academy of Natural Sciences offers educational programs, camps, workshops and exhibits for visitors of all ages, including  the annual George Washington Carver Science Fair and the Women in Natural Sciences Enrichment Program.

The Academy also encompasses the Center for Environmental Policy (CEP),  a key player in the environmental and sustainability community of the greater Philadelphia region. Bringing together scientists, policy makers, and the general public around issues of critical environmental importance, the CEP provides non-partisan, science-based information on key environmental issues, promotes solutions, and builds awareness. The CEP offers regular public programs held at the Academy on relevant topics, and also serves as a logistical hub for local working groups organized around sustainability issues.

Student Opportunities:

The Academy of Natural Sciences offers both volunteer and internship opportunities.

Volunteers can serve as exhibit guides, research assistants, or can help in the live animal center and children’s summer camp.

To apply, submit an application form and select Internship Program under Assignment Preference. For additional information contact the Volunteer Services Department at 215-299-1029 or volunteers@ansp.org.

The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 299-1000

Arts, Philadelphia

Art Sphere Inc.

Empowering and Healing the Mind, Body and Spirit Through Art.

Art Sphere Inc brings the joy and power of artistic expression to under-served youth and communities throughout the Delaware Valley.

A charitable non-profit founded in 1998 by artist and Philadelphia-area native, Kristin Groenveld, Art Sphere works with communities to promote individual and civic empowerment through art education.

Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities: http://artsphere.org/get-involved/sign-up-to-volunteer/

For questions, email info@artsphere.org or call 215-413-3955

After-School, Philadelphia, Tutoring, Urban, Writing

Philly Spells

PhillySpells runs the Spells Writing Lab, a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that develops the creative and expository writing abilities of school-age children through free, fun, and imaginative writing programs and teacher development opportunities. From the PhillySpells website:

“At Spells, we believe that literacy is a cornerstone for future success, and that personalized attention and unconventional learning opportunities can inspire students to greater triumphs, both in the classroom and in life. To further these ends, we offer the following programs:

  • after-school drop-in tutoring
  • weekend writing workshops
  • in-school assistance with student publications
  • partnerships with non-profits
  • professional development opportunities for teachers

All of our programs are free, and many incorporate other artistic disciplines such as music, film, or the visual arts to inspire young writers.”

—-Volunteer Opportunities—-

Whether you’re interested in becoming a tutor, a workshop leader, a lab assistant, or another kind of helper, the process begins when you submit our online volunteer application. On the form, be sure to indicate which volunteer orientation you’d like to attend. Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted to confirm your orientation session.

Once you’re a trained Spells volunteer,  you’ll recieve occasional emails letting you know what’s been going on at the lab, giving you additional training support, and listing upcoming volunteer opportunities.

To sign up to volunteer, visit phillyspells.org/volunteer/form
For more information, email volunteer@phillyspells.org

—-Other Volunteer Opportunities—

PUBLICATION HELPERS

Are you a graphic designer, artist, copyeditor, or publishing professional? Volunteer to help out with PhillySpells publications!

Spells Writing Lab offers in-school assistance for newspapers and literary magazines, which includes copyediting and layout. They also produce end-of-semester writing collections with tutoring students and occasionally need illustration or design expertise for writing workshops. (There are also opportunities for designers who would like to create promotional materials such as bookmarks, posters, and brochures.)

Whether you’ve been in the business for years, or are still in art school, you can use your art to make a difference. Sign up to be a Spells volunteer today!

EVENT PLANNERS & GRANT WRITERS

Do you absolutely love event planning? Are you interested in helping out during a fundraiser? Want to earn money for PhillySpells programs with your grant writing prowess? Spells could definitely use your help! Simply indicate your interest on our volunteer application or email fundraising@phillyspells.org.

Check out internship opportunities at PhillySpells, too!

Arts, Musuem Education, Philadelphia, Science, STEM

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute’s Mission: In the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin, the mission of The Franklin Institute is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.

The Franklin Institute offers internships in the Curatorial Department, Exhibit Development and Design, Science Education and Youth Programs, among many other opportunities.

Visit the webpage to learn how about the opportunities, and about how to apply.

Volunteer opportunities: https://www.fi.edu/volunteer

Internship opportunities: https://www.fi.edu/internships

Questions? Please contact the Volunteer Department at 215.448.1163 or volprog@fi.edu, 9am-5pm weekdays.