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Community Service Project
Community service is an important and fun part of the USA High School Program. Through community service, you can directly impact your town by donating your time, energy, and skills to a specific cause. In addition, the community service project enables you to immerse yourself in American culture and form meaningful connections with those around you. Successful completion of your Community Service Project is necessary to receive your Certificate of Completion for the CIEE USA High School Program.
What is Community Service?
- Donating your time, energy, and skills to a specific cause in your area
What should my project be about?
- It should focus on supporting and improving your community and building relationships with its residents
- Think about what interests you and what you can contribute to your community
Where can I Volunteer?
In the past, students have volunteered at such organizations as:
- Care Center/Nursing Home
- Animal Shelter/Humane Society
- YMCA/Sports Camps
- Chamber of Commerce
- Museums
- Church, Temple
- Library
- After School Programs/Tutoring
Here are a few links to help you research:
Community Service Forms
Please download the following forms:
- Community Service Guidelines (PDF)
- Community Supervisor Letter (PDF)
- Supervisor Community Project Evaluation Form (PDF)
- Essay Instruction Form (Word)
Please send your forms to the address below before departing the program:
Community Project Coordinator
CIEE
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101 USA
You may also send them as an email attachment to communityproject@ciee.org
We are sure that your community project will be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We look forward to receiving your essays at the end of the program!
Community Service Ideas
Governmental
- Volunteer at your local government offices, town hall, or political headquarters
- When choosing where to volunteer, keep in mind the beliefs and interests that are important to you
- Work with a state or local agency that applies the laws that the government makes
- Contact your local congressperson or check out www.firstgov.gov for more information
Environmental
- Join or create organizations dedicated to environmental causes such as conservation, recycling, local cleanup projects, land and air purification, and wildlife preservation
- Organizations include 4-H, National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, or the National Audubon Society
- Talk to your host family or visit www.webdirectory.com for more volunteer opportunities with environmental organizations
Community
- Consider your unique qualities, abilities, and interpersonal skills that you can put to use in your community
- If you like to cook, inquire with a local soup kitchen about serving a special dish from your home country
- If you like to play soccer, organize an all-day soccer clinic for local children
- Teach community members your native language, or give a workshop about your country.
- Contact a mentoring or tutoring program to help a child with schoolwork
- Help someone learn to read through a literacy program (and practice your English at the same time)
- Volunteer your time at a local retirement home helping an elderly person buy groceries or just playing a game
