Engagement Opportunities
Find Engagement Opportunities
Galaxy Digital is the Community Engagement Center’s online volunteer platform where you can search and sign up for engagement opportunities and events that align with your interests and schedule. As always, CEC staff and student leaders are happy to connect on Zoom, phone, or email to support you in connecting to opportunities that fit your interests! Contact us at: [email protected] if you wish to get involved!
When Macalester students begin engaging with a community partner, they are entering into a story that pre-dates them and will continue after they graduate.
For this reason and many more, the Community Engagement Center emphasizes ongoing, reciprocal relationships with our community partners. The information below on each of our 10 themes includes interactive story maps providing multimedia information on their partners, as well as some local context highlighting the ways their respective theme relates to the Twin Cities. Also listed below are student videos sharing their firsthand experiences engaging at their site, and how fellow students can get involved.
Arts for Social Change
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
[email protected]
ArtScraps/ArtStart
1459 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Contact: Cindy Saucedo Smith – 651-698-2787
ArtScraps is a store run by the non-profit ArtStart, which provides recycled items for teachers, parents and the public to use for art projects. ArtScraps collects scraps, factory rejects and other items normally destined for the landfill. Volunteers help in the store with customer service, activities, kids’ parties and merchandise. Within walking distance.
Art Buddies
612 334-6004
Art buddies pairs creative mentors with underprivileged kids to help them discover their creative abilities, believe in themselves, and dream of a brighter future. Art Buddies partners with urban elementary schools where the majority of children come from low-income families. Their after-school programs are provided free for students ages 8-11.
Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Contact: Jared Hemming, Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected] 612 338-2674
The center supports the preservation of cultural diversity by promoting and presenting local and international music and dance. Volunteers assist with shows and other events and are able to attend events free of charge.
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet/Mask Theatre
1500 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
[email protected] 612-721-2535
This theatre empowers its communities by providing opportunities for hands-on participation in the creation of community-wide events. Volunteers are integral to creative tasks such as set construction, painting, and puppet and mask making.
Juxtaposition Arts
2007 Emerson Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-588-1148
Juxtaposition Arts is a non-profit, youth-focused visual arts organization engaging audiences through its community collaborations, studio arts workshops, public mural programs and special festivals and art exhibitions.
St. Paul Neighborhood Network
550 Vandalia St. Suite 170, St. Paul, MN 55114
Contact: Bonnie Schumacher, Media Education Director
[email protected] 651-298-8904
SPNN is a non-profit community media center’s mission is to empower people to use media and communications to better lives, use authentic voice and build common understanding. Volunteer opportunities may include production, post-production, office support, event planning, research and serving on an advisory committee.
Women’s Prison Book Project
c/o Boneshaker Books 2002 23rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
[email protected] 612-871-7110
The Women’s Prison Book Project (est. 1994) mails books to incarcerated Women and Trans folks all over the country. WPBP also has a free resource guide for incarcerated women and trans people and a newsletter which publishes articles written by incarcerated people.
College Access
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Dallas Watson ’26 and Mena Feleke ’25
[email protected]
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Various St. Paul Public School Sites
Kristen Butler, AVID District Director, TOSA
[email protected] (651) 744-1342
AVID targets students in the academic middle who have the intention of going to college and the willingness to work hard. Volunteers apply to a specific high school in St. Paul to work as tutors with a small group of students. Their teaching methodology is based on the Socratic Method, where tutors emphasize students’ inquiries, rather than lectures.
Breakthrough Twin Cities
2051 Larpenteur Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55109
[email protected] 651-748-5504
Breakthrough is a program that helps highly motivated, under-resourced middle school schools succeed in rigorous honors coursework and get to college. For six weeks during the summer and on 13 Saturdays during the school year, students take challenging enrichment classes designed and taught by talented and diverse high school and college students.
Opportunities Abound Campus Visit Hosts
Macalester College Community Engagement Center
[email protected]
The goal of Opportunities Abound is to promote increased access to higher education for local youth – many of whom are potential first generation college students, low income and/or students of color. Volunteers help host age appropriate campus visits for local schools. Each year there are several opportunities to connect with a variety of youth groups who visit Macalester and volunteers opt in as their schedule allows. Support is offered through monthly training and community-building sessions.
Mac Mentors
1600 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN
[email protected]
The Mac Mentorship Program is a semester-long mentorship program between college students and high school students who are in their junior year. Mac Mentors cover areas of college preparation and the admission process by exposing high school juniors to college life, and preparing them with the understanding of the college admissions process. The program will be working with the TRIO Upward Bound program located at North Hennepin Community College.
Minnesota Education Equity Partnership
2233 University Ave W Suite 220, St. Paul, MN 55114
[email protected] 651-645-7400
The Minnesota Education Equity Partnership is a nonprofit that seeks to increase the success of Minnesota students of color in Minnesota schools, colleges and universities. They work closely with students, communities of color and representatives from education, business, government and nonprofits to develop programs that help students of color succeed academically.
LearningWorks
511 Kenwood Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55403
[email protected] 952-988-3755
LearningWorks is a partnership between the Minneapolis Public Schools and The Blake School. High school seniors and college students provide middle school students with weekend and summer enrichment programs in order to set them onto the path to higher education and academic success while also drawing students into the education field.
Environment and Sustainability
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Sam Lee ’25
[email protected]
Dodge Nature Center
365 West Marie Ave, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Contact: Kim Bauer
[email protected] 651-455-4531 ext. 211
Volunteers restore prairies, teach classes to children and adults, lead hikes, groom and exercise farm animals, plant trees and maintain trails.
Friends of the Mississippi
360 North Robert St. Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55101
Contact: sue rich, Communications Director
[email protected] 651-222-2193 ext. 14
Local conservation group works to protect and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area. Volunteer opportunities vary from habitat restoration to supporting special events or office projects.
Frogtown Farm
941 Lafond Ave Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55104
651-600-3414
Frogtown Farm is bringing sustainable farming to the Frogtown neighborhood by creating a 13-acre urban farmstead. In addition, Frogtown Farm hosts a monthly, hour-long, free information sessions on aspects of backyard gardening. Volunteers work on the farm.
Frogtown Green
843 Van Buren Ave, St. Paul 55104
[email protected] 651-757-5970
Frogtown Green is a coalition of neighbors and friends with a clear agenda: to make Frogtown to be the greenest neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They strive to protect and enhance parks, farms and gardens in Frogtown, and they advocate for healthy, sustainable development.
The Lower Phalen Creek Project (LPCP)
804 Margaret Street, St. Paul, MN 55106
[email protected] 651-272-3989
Founded in 1997 as a partnership between Saint Paul’s East Side and Lowertown neighborhoods, LPCP is working to complete the redevelopment of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary as an ecological, cultural, and educational resource. The area was once a focal point for Dakota people who gathered here for trade and ceremony, and there is a cave in the sanctuary called Wakan Tipi, which is a sacred site for the Dakota people. Their work aims at recognizing and respecting this truth.
Urban Roots
463 Maria Ave Suite 207, St. Paul, MN 55106
Contact: David Woods, Conservation Program Director
[email protected] 651-228-7073 ext. 16
Urban Roots is a Saint Paul-based organization whose mission is to help revitalize low-to-moderate income communities by providing technical assistance and operating programs that will enhance the physical, economic, social, ecological, and spiritual well being of the community and its residents.
Youth Farm and Market Project
128 W 33rd St. Suite 2, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Contact: Amanda Stoelb, Associate Director
[email protected] 952-220-0953
Youth Farm and Market Project provides year-round, youth development programming for over 500 youths ages 9-18, utilizing experiential education and training, urban agriculture, gardens and greenhouses. They build youth leadership through planting, growing, preparing, and selling food. Volunteers are needed to work the farm.
Health and Wellness
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Lizbet Ortiz ’25
[email protected]
Allina Health Hospice
1055 Westgate Dr #100, St. Paul, MN 55114
612-262-7108
Allina Health Hospice cares for patients wherever they call home, including assisted living centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes and residential hospice facilities. Care is available for anyone with a terminal illness when his or her primary care provider believes they have six months or less to live. Volunteers support patients, their family and caregivers through direct patient care, bereavement support, hospitality greeters, etc.
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
345 N Smith Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
[email protected] 651-220-6141
Children’s Hospital is one of the top pediatric hospitals in the United States. Children’s offers volunteer opportunities in pediatric inpatient units, the emergency department, neonatology, as well as support service areas like sibling play and children’s library.
Family Tree Clinic
1919 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
651-645-0478
Family Tree Clinic is a leading provider in accessible, affordable healthcare centered in sexual health and specialized care. Two of Family Tree Clinic’s leading services are providing specialized care to LGBTQ+ folks and sex education to community members. This clinic is a leading service provider in Saint Paul.
Rainbow Health
2577 W Territorial Rd, St. Paul, MN 55114
Contact: Ken Oltman
[email protected] 612-341-2060
Rainbow Health is an institution that works to fight AIDS through advocacy work, education, and service. Volunteers can assist with “Tuesday Niters,” a group that meets to prepare for special events, including the annual Hollywood Gala. Other initiatives includes grassroots organizing, education booths, and advocacy work.
Lyngblomsten Senior Center
1415 Almond Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108
Contact: Shelli Beck, Lead Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected] 651-646-2941
Volunteer on a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly basis at this senior center with a Norwegian focus. Participate in events such as bingo and fun night. Easily accessible by public transportation.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
800 Transfer Rd. #31, St. Paul, MN 55114
[email protected] 651-645-2948
NAMI Minnesota vigorously promotes the development of community mental health programs and services, improved access to services, increased opportunities for recovery, reduced stigma and discrimination, and increased public understanding of mental illness.
Open Arms of Minnesota
2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
[email protected] 612-872-1152
Open Arms delivers meals to people diagnosed with HIV, AIDS and other chronic illnesses. Opportunities include working as a prep cook, packer, driver, data entry clerk, receptionist, or greeter.
OutFront Minnesota
310 38th St. East #209, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Contact: Christine Popp, Manager of Operations & Volunteers
[email protected] 612-822-0127
OutFront Minnesota works to eliminate heterosexism and homophobia through programs and services to the GLBTQAI communities in the areas of public policy, advocacy, education and training, anti-violence, schools, and the law. Volunteers work with the office, special events, and outreach programs.
Planned Parenthood
671 Vandalia Street, St. Paul, MN 55114
651-698-2406
Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health care in multiple locations in the Twin Cities. Offering STI testing, pregnancy testing, exams, vaccinations, and abortion care, Planned Parenthood serves community members in many different ways. Students often volunteer or do off-campus student employment with Planned Parenthood locations in the Twin Cities.
Rakhma Joy Home
123 S Wheeler Street, St. Paul, MN 55105
Contact: Steph Tomlin, Community and Program Specialist
[email protected] 612-824-2345
This cozy neighborhood home is an alternative to nursing homes for senior citizens with Alzheimer’s disease. Become a companion to seniors by cooking a special meal, playing an instrument, gardening, walking or participating in special events or projects with the seniors. Located two blocks from campus.
RECLAIM
771 Raymond Ave, St. Paul, MN 55114
612 235-6743
RECLAIM works to provide accessible healthcare to queer and trans youth and their families, as well as pushing for education on racial justice and gender in healthcare. RECLAIM provides mental health services, pathways to connect youth to providers that make them feel safe and validated, as well as community outreach programs.
Regions Hospital/Health Partners
640 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
Contact: Erin Trewel
[email protected]
Volunteers at Regions have the opportunity to assist with charts and clerical work, socialize with and provide companionship for patients, assist with lab research, and greet guests amongst other opportunities.
Ronald McDonald House
818 Fulton St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Contact: Julie Schall, Volunteer Program Manager
[email protected] 612-767-2790
The Ronald McDonald House serves families whose children are patients at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. They keep families together by offering a warm, welcoming home-away-from-home and services that range from schooling to meals to family-friendly activities. Volunteer groups can cook and deliver meals for families. Individual volunteers help in many capacities from classroom aide to helping at special events.
Shriners Hospital
2025 E River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55414
[email protected] 612-596-6135
The clinic focuses on treating children with orthopedic (muscle, bone and joint) conditions, cleft lip and palate, and specialized plastic surgery needs in an environment designed to put children at ease. Volunteers provide genuine service to the hospital and patients. Volunteers can work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotics and prosthetics and child life departments.
United Hospital
333 Smith Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102
[email protected] 651-241-8644
United Hospital provides a full range of health care and is recognized nationally and locally for its expertise and care. Flexible volunteer shifts available in guest services, patient services and support services departments.
Housing, Work, Food Justice
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
[email protected]
Bridging
201 W 87th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
952-888-1105
Built on the mission to provide furniture and other household necessities to people transitioning out of homelessness and poverty, Bridging is the largest furniture bank in North America. Volunteers organize and sort donations in their warehouse.
Catholic Charities Higher Ground, Saint Paul
435 Dorothy Day Pl, St. Paul, MN 55102
Catholic Charities Higher Ground Saint Paul is an emergency homeless shelter open 365 days a year. Located in downtown St. Paul, Higher Ground offers 171 shelter spaces, 80 Pay-For-Stay beds, social services, light evening meal, breakfast, showers, and shower facilities to those who need it. A warm place to rest and a safe space to spend nighttime hours is crucial to the Twin Cities communities, particularly on cold winter days.
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL)
3715 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 332-0663
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) is an organization by and for low-wage workers, designed to empower employees in their work place environment. By organizing low-wage workers, CTUL works to build power, leadership, and strong voices, as well as develop dignity, respect, and better conditions in different labor environments. Some of their work includes fighting for fair pay in the fast food and cleaning industries, training workers about their rights, and showing allies how to work for the rights of low-wage employees.
Dress for Success
1549 University Avenue W #1, St. Paul, MN 55104
Contact: Anna Beech, Operations Manager
[email protected] 763-898-2935
The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Volunteers will help out on a weekly basis by alternately sorting through donated clothes for trendy styles, helping manage the sales floor, and act as an “image coach” for women seeking help in picking out business attire.
Hallie Q. Brown Center Inc.
270 N Kent Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
[email protected] 651-224-4601
The Mission of Hallie Q. Brown is to improve the quality of life for community members by providing access to critical human services, fostering and promoting personal growth, and developing community leadership. Volunteers can assist with the food shelf and clothing closet, among other programs.
Hope Community
611 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Contact: Dhop Hopkins,
[email protected] 612-743-2508
Hope Community is an organization that creates spaces for people to come together, learn together, and build power together. Hope intentionally creates an environment with multiple opportunities at different levels of engagement. Many people engage across interest areas and dig in deeper. People build stronger networks, develop their own community leadership, and act together for change. Volunteers work with a child age 6-9 one-on-one with homework, literacy activities, leadership building exercises, and other guided learning activities.
Jeremiah Program
932 Concordia Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
Contact: Jabulani Mhlanga, St. Paul Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected] 651-332-5002
Jeremiah Program provides a holistic approach to transforming single mothers and their families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time. Volunteers can provide childcare, facilitate Life Skills programming like Cooking With Kids, or tutor.
The Midway Food & Empowerment Project
1610 Hubbard Ave, St. Paul MN 55104
[email protected] (651) 494-7682
The Midway Food & Empowerment Project (Midway Project) is a resident-led initiative established in partnership with the Hamline Midway Coalition in May 2020 to meet immediate needs, and the project continues to work with community partners and neighbors to build a sustainable source of community support. During their near-weekly distributions at Hancock Recreation Center since June 2020, they have built a community of care that supports an average of 50 families each week and constructed a web of connectivity between the City of St. Paul, non-profit organizations, local organizers and businesses, and individual neighbors.
Neighborhood House
179 Robie St. E, St. Paul, MN 55107
Contact: Vanessa Edwards, Volunteer Engagement Manager
[email protected] 651-789-2524
Neighborhood House is a multicultural, multilingual community center with programming for all ages and open doors for all people and is often a first stop for new immigrants and refugees. Volunteers may work with children, teach English Learning or GED classes, or help distribute food to program participants.
People Serving People
614 Third St. S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Contact: Tom Golembeck, Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected] 612-277-0216
People Serving People aims to aid homeless children and their families by focusing on emergency housing, family services, and advocacy. Volunteers help either individually or in groups through youth programming, meal serving, and more.
Prepare and Prosper
2610 University Ave W # 450, St. Paul, MN 55114
Contact: Sara McCracken, Volunteer Resources Coordinator
[email protected] (651) 262-2174
Prepare and Prosper provides free tax prep and financial education to low- and moderate-income individuals. Tax clinic volunteers are needed during tax season to provide one-on-one customer support and service.
Second Harvest Heartland
7101 Winnetka Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
[email protected] 651-282-0901
Second Harvest Heartland is a food bank that distributes donated grocery products to 700 human service agencies in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Group and individual volunteer projects include repackaging bulk food donations, and sorting and assembling food packages.
Immigrants and Refugees
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Dipakshi Sarma ’24
[email protected]
The Advocates for Human Rights
330 Second Ave S Suite 800, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Sarah Brenes, Director, Refugee and Immigrant Program
[email protected] 612-746-4684
The Advocates for Human Rights is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and the protection of human rights. Volunteers are needed for research, translation, and for teaching a human rights curriculum in schools. Volunteer needs are regularly updated on their website.
James H. Binger Center for New Americans
229 19th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455
This site expands urgently needed legal services for non-citizens, pursues litigation to improve immigration laws, and supports non-citizens in the region through education and community outreach. Volunteers assist with translation, interpretation, and court observation.
English Learning Center
2315 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
[email protected] 612-874-9963 ext. 2
English Learning Center tutors recent adult immigrants in ESL, math and citizenship tests. Volunteers will work with fellow teachers to develop curricula and will become familiar with refugee and immigrant communities and issues.
Hmong American Partnership
394 University Ave, St. Paul MN 55103
[email protected] 651-495-1605
HAP provides culturally sensitive social services to empower individuals and families, strengthen neighborhoods, and honor the cultural heritage. Volunteers teach in evening classes or assist in daytime classes. If interested in volunteering with the Adult Basic Education program, contact Sarah Pradt at: [email protected] or 651-495-1632.
Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning
1030 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55104
Ruth Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected] 651-744-7611
The Hubbs Center is a program of the St. Paul Public Schools’ Community Education Program. Volunteers tutor in literacy, math, English language education, or citizenship, or they can serve as a classroom instructor. Day and evening hours are available.
Literacy Minnesota
700 Raymond Ave #180, St. Paul MN 55114
Kelly, Children’s Literacy Coordinator
[email protected]
MLC offers free adult education classes (ESL, GED, computers, citizenship, math, and employment preparation). Volunteers are needed at all five Open Door Learning Center locations throughout the Twin Cities.
Neighborhood House
179 Robie St. East, St. Paul, MN 55107
Contact: Rah Bridwell, Volunteer Engagement Specialist
[email protected] 651-789-2524
Neighborhood House is a multicultural, multilingual community center with programming for all ages and open doors for all people and is often a first stop for new immigrants and refugees. Volunteers may work with children, teach English Learning or GED classes, or help distribute food to program participants.
Language Opportunities
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Sophia Salinas ’24
[email protected]
Adams Spanish Immersion Elementary School
615 South Chatsworth St. Saint Paul, MN 55102
Contact: Jaime Morris, Assistant Principal
[email protected]
Adams Spanish Immersion Elementary school is a dual-immersion public elementary school located about 15 minutes by car from the Macalester College Campus. Students are paired with a kindergarten or first grade Spanish classroom. They require a Spanish level of HISP 305 or higher.
Bilingual Learning Center @ Windom
PO Box 19034, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Contact: Elianna Thorne, Volunteer Manager
[email protected] 612-668-3384
Bilingual Learning Center (BLC) is a nonprofit-based community organization located in south Minneapolis that is uniquely designed to meet the needs of students and parents alike through before and after school programming, serving all students in Pre-K through 5th grade. BLC is a fully bilingual (English-Spanish) enrichment program that is seeking bilingual individuals who wish to provide tutoring support to students or assist program managers and teachers directly. Contact Elianna Thorne to learn more.
Centro Tyrone Guzman
1915 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Contact: Natty B. Hels, Education Dept. Administrator
[email protected] 612-874-1412
Centro Tyrone Guzman is a community meeting place for Latino families and their children. It’s a center where Latinos may gather and celebrate their individual history, culture and traditions. Volunteers help with the bilingual daycare, with the senior center or with English instruction.
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES)
797 East 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55106
720 East Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407
Alejandra Ramirez-Morales
[email protected] 612-439-9813
CLUES is a leading provider of social services for the Latino community in Minnesota through its five core service areas of Mental Health, Chemical Health, Employment, Education and Elder Wellness. All services are provided in Spanish or English, and are culturally appropriate for Latinos.
El Colegio
4137 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
[email protected] 612-728-5728
El Colegio Charter School is a small public high school in Minneapolis that serves students in English and Spanish. Volunteers work in Spanish speaking classrooms to individually help students or in bilingual classrooms to help students who don’t speak much English.
Esperanza United
P.O. Box 40115, St. Paul, MN 55104
[email protected] 651-646-5553
Esperanza United works within communities by providing advocacy, emergency shelter, a 24-hour bilingual crisis line, and opportunities for peer education regarding domestic violence. Volunteers do leadership development trainings, domestic violence trainings, administrative tasks, and garden/yard work.
Latino Economic Development Center
1501 E Lake St. Lower Level, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Contact: John Ramirez
[email protected] 651-395-4030
The LEDC is a non-profit organization whose founders believed that economic progress was imperative to strengthen the Latino community. Their initiatives focus on self-sufficiency, particularly starting and growing a business, finding a job, and gaining work skills. Volunteers can assist teachers in classes, tutor basic English and computer skills, or help with administrative work.
Riverview Elementary School
160 Isabel St E, St. Paul, MN 55107
Contact: Nancy Paez, Principal
651-460-1604
Riverview Elementary School on the West Side of St Paul is a public elementary school with a Spanish Immersion program. They are in need of tutors (Spanish speaking and non-Spanish speaking). Non-Spanish speakers should expect to work with older children, whereas Spanish speakers should expect to work with the younger grades. Tutors work with students–one-on-one or in small groups– helping them to get the extra help they may not receive in class.
Sholom
730 Kay Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
Lori Rodewald, Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
Sholom welcomes students that want to lead enrichment activities in English, German, French, or Russian. Sholom supports adults in need across the continuum of care, to live life fully in a Jewish environment where all are welcome. With more than 100 years of service, Sholom offers campus-based programs as well as community-based services across the metro area. Volunteers can engage remotely via Youtube live or other live streaming services. Sholom welcomes students that want to lead enrichment activities or share hobbies with their members.
Wellstone Elementary
1041 Marion Street, St Paul, MN 55117
Contact: Emily Carrillo, Dual Immersion Curriculum Coord.
[email protected]
Wellstone is a dual-immersion Spanish and English elementary school. Volunteers aid in classroom environments that are either entirely Spanish or entirely English.
Policy & Justice
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Emma
[email protected]
Center for Victims of Torture
717 East River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Brent Jensen, Online Engagement Coordinator
[email protected] 612-436-4885
The Center serves survivors of politically motivated torture now living in the United States. Volunteers may work directly with clients or serve as administrative support.
Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB)
Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) is an organization based in the Twin Cities that works to oppose both the daily brutality inherent in policing, as well as more extreme uses of force. Their stated goal is to“create a climate of resistance to abuse of authority by police organizations and to empower local people with a structure that can take on police brutality and actually bring it to an end.”
East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier Street, St. Paul, MN 55106
[email protected] 651-207-4926
The East Side Freedom Library’s (ESFL) mission is to inspire solidarity, advocate for justice and work toward equity for all. The library houses non-circulating research collections and innovative databases and finding aids that make using the collections fun and vital. Story is a major theme of the ESFL, and the telling and gathering of stories, through formal interviews, workshops, and small-scale public performances, will allow visitors to learn more about the work and residential histories. Volunteer catalogers and researchers are needed.
ISAIAH
2356 University Ave W #405, St. Paul, MN 55114
[email protected] 651- 376-1001
ISAIAH is a faith based non-profit which works on a diverse set of issues including public transportation, civil rights, domestic violence, health and public education. They are active in community organizing across different faith communities, barbershops, and childcare centers in Minnesota.
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
122 W Franklin Ave Suite 315, Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3670
The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition is the largest and most inclusive public interest lobby-group in Minnesota. JRLC is governed by four Sponsoring Members: the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Minnesota Council of Churches, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota. It works toward social justice through state advocacy, research, and organized events focused on faith and citizenship. Volunteers provide research around poverty and stable families.
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
555 Wabasha St N, Suite 110, St. Paul, MN 55102
[email protected] 651-645-7332
The Coalition’s mission is to generate policies, community support, and local resources for housing and services to end homelessness in Minnesota. Volunteer opportunities include everything from making reminder phone calls about an upcoming event and data entry to media work and policy research.
MN350
4407 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
[email protected] 612-440-5350
MN350 is a volunteer-led climate justice organization based in Minneapolis, right across the river from Macalester. MN350’s work is divided into a number of different teams, such as Policy Action, Green New Deal, Pipeline Resistance, and Communications. They also offer internships, both during the semester and the summer, which many Mac students participate in.
NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness)
1919 University Ave W Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55104
[email protected] 651-645-2948
NAMI of Minnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. NAMI promotes the development of community mental health programs and services, including student-led, student-run mental health organizations on college campuses through NAMI on campus. They work to improve access to services, increase opportunities for recovery, reduce stigma and discrimination, and increase public understanding of mental illness. Volunteers advocate for improved mental health services and policies on campus through educational efforts.
Transit for Livable Communities
2446 University Ave W Suite 170, St. Paul, MN 55114
651-767-0298
Transit for Livable Communities is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to reform Minnesota’s transportation system. TLC works with residents, policymakers, and businesses to ensure that more people are involved in the transportation decisions that impact our communities. Volunteers can help in the office and phone bank.
re:power (formerly Wellstone Action)
2639 Nicollet Ave, Suite 220, Minneapolis, MN 55408
[email protected] 651-645-3939
Wellstone Action’s mission is to train, educate and mobilize progressive individuals for efficacy in the political process. Works in the philosophy of former Senator Paul Wellstone. Volunteer opportunities include event planning, phone banking, office work, research, and public speaking.
Sunrise Movement
The Sunrise Movement works to push justice issues, legistation, and policy forward that supports climate protections and climate justice. Sunrise Movement helps to organize regular people to participate in activism against climate change. Sunrise Movement has a chapter in the Twin Cities, which many Mac students participate in.
Women Against Military Madness (WAMM)
4200 Cedar Ave S Suite 3, Minneapolis, MN 55407
[email protected] 612-827-5364
WAMM is a nonviolent feminist organization that works to create a system of social equity, self-determination, and justice through education and empowerment of women. WAMM’s purpose is to dismantle systems of militarism and global oppression. Volunteers participate in demonstrations, vigils, marches, and educational events.
Youth
2023-24 Community Engagement Organizer:
Emma
[email protected]
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
262 Bates Ave, St. Paul, MN 55106
Contact: Dana Karls, School Match Coordinator
[email protected] 651-491-1246
In our School-Based mentoring program Big Brothers Big Sisters matches college volunteers with elementary school students for one-on-one mentoring relationships. Bigs and Littles meet weekly over the lunch hour at Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School in East Saint Paul. Each week throughout the school year, matches play games, work on crafts, experiment with STEM projects, shoot hoops in the gym, and play outside. The BBBS coordinator is present during meetings and offers organized activities and support, as well.
Common Bond Communities
1080 Montreal Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116
[email protected] 651- 265-4750
CommonBond provides affordable housing and on-site services at Skyline Towers, a public housing apartment complex which is also affectionately called “the United Nations in the Sky.” At Skyline and other CommonBond sites, Macalester participants teach English to Somali elders, act as “study buddies” to children, and build community with teenagers from this prominently African refugee community.
Division of Indian Work
1001 East Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Contact: Rica Rivera
[email protected] 612-279-6323
Volunteers are matched with Native American youth ages 7-17. Volunteers spend the first hour providing homework help for students. Then, for the second hour, volunteers assist with cultural activities such as bead work, drumming, and weaving.
Global Arts Plus
1023 Osceola Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105 (K-3)
810 Palace Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102 (Pre-K, 4-8)
Contact: Chreese Jones, Principal
[email protected] 651-293-6606
Global Arts Plus is an arts-focus, highly diverse, dual-campus magnet school with a long-time relationship with Macalester. The commute to either campus is short. Volunteer responsibilities include classroom help, one-on-one tutoring, or homework help.
Horace Mann School
2001 Eleanor Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116
651-293-8965
Horace Mann Elementary is a K-5 neighborhood school nestled in St. Paul’s Highland Park community. It is known for its academic excellence and their commitment to individual development for each student. Volunteer responsibilities vary with need, but may include classroom help, one-on-one tutoring, or homework help.
Jean Lyle Children’s Center
130 N Howell Street, St. Paul, MN 55104
[email protected] 651-646-9603
Macalester College has a long-standing partnership with Jean Lyle Children’s Center. Jean Lyle provides a nurturing school environment to children ages 3-6. Volunteers are needed to help in the classroom and play alongside children.
Laura Jeffrey Academy
1550 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
[email protected] 651-414-6000
Laura Jeffrey Academy (LJA) is a Twin Cities tuition free charter middle school offering a unique STEM-focused, girl-focused educational experience, grades 5 – 8. Students learn through rigorous study, by asking questions, solving problems, and participating in the community. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring, assisting in the classroom, and special education assistant.
Minnesota Children’s Museum
10 West 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 225-6106
The Minnesota Children’s Museum, located in downtown St. Paul, offers a number of one-time volunteer opportunities throughout the year. They include Exhibit Explainer, “Habitot” Host, behind the scenes work and support at special events at this state-of-the-art children’s museum
Great River Middle School
1700 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Contact: Teresa Vibrar, Principal
[email protected] 651-290-8860
Great River Middle School is an innovative, academically challenging environment that empowers each learner to explore possibilities, act with integrity, and creative positive change within the community and the world. Volunteer tutors assist student who may need extra support in the classroom by working one-on-one with them on homework and other skill-building activities. This program focuses on science, math, and French skills.
Reading Partners
2324 University Ave Suite 105, St. Paul, MN 5514
[email protected] 651-362-0430
Reading Partners is a national literacy tutoring nonprofit founded in 1999 that works in under-resourced elementary schools to support K-5 students who are reading one month to 2.5 years behind grade-level proficiency. In a dedicated reading center at each of their 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul partner schools, they train community volunteers to work one-on-one with students by following a structured curriculum that aligns with nationwide standards for learning.
West 7th Community Center -Keystone Community Services
265 Oneida Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
[email protected] 651-797-7725
West 7th Community Center works to provide human services as well as educational and recreational opportunities to residents of the West 7th Community. Volunteers may act as a reading buddy or a homework tutor with youth or as food shelf assistants. There is a role for everyone, check out their website for more information about current opportunities.