Volunteer Opportunities
Every semester the Center for College and Community Service publishes more than 50 service events for groups of Durham Tech students, faculty, and staff. Volunteering at Semester of Service events is a great way to make new friends and help your community!
Semester of Service
Campus Harvest Food Pantry
Every Tuesday from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Sign up for Food Pantry
Help stock, organize, and clean the Campus Harvest Food Pantry.
Beekeeping and Gardening at Briggs Avenue Community Garden
Designated Fridays, 9 – 11 a.m.
Sign up for Beekeeping and Community Garden
Gardening: Maintain Durham Tech’s garden plots to grow produce that helps stock the Campus Harvest Food Pantry. Be sure to bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Beekeeping: Volunteer to tend Briggs Avenue Community Garden's bee hives. No experience necessary. Beekeeping suits and hats are provided. Volunteers will be led by professional beekeepers. Please note that beekeeping days last until noon*.
Work days still take place in light rain, but will be canceled in heavy rain. A cancellation message will be sent through SignUp.com if a work day is canceled due to weather.
Project Talk
Varying dates and times (see sign-up for specific dates, times, and topics)
Project Talk brings international and local students together to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. Topics of discussion this semester include hobbies, holidays, ghost stories, volunteering in the garden and food pantry, game night, and things to do in the Triangle.
August
First-Years SERVE (Students Engaging in Rewarding Volunteer Efforts)
This event is open to all first-year students!
August 23, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wynn Center Multi-Purpose Room
Participants will meet in the Multi-Purpose Room at 8:30 a.m. for a light breakfast and welcome. Volunteers will then be split into several groups before the volunteer activities begin. Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of service activities. Service activities will take place in multiple locations such as Book Harvest, Briggs Avenue Community Garden, Food Bank, Campus Harvest Food Pantry, and RN Harris Elementary School.
Project Talk: Small Talk
Thursday, August 29, Noon-1:30 p.m., Phillips 3-125, Teaching-Learning Center
Project TALK is a place for local and international students to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. Get to know new people in this session as you share small talk with other students.
September
Conversation Project with Eno River Association
Sign up for the Conversation Project
Friday, September 6, 1-4 p.m.
Assist the Eno River Association staff with trail work and conservation efforts. The shift will take place at the Eno River. Limited transportation is available. Limited transportation available; email volunteer@durhamtech.edu for more information.
Project Talk: Talk about the Triangle
Tuesday, September 10, Noon-1:30 p.m., Phillips 3-125, Teaching-Learning Center
Project TALK is a place for local and international students to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. Students will share their favorite places and events in the Triangle.
LGBTQ Center of Durham
Tuesday, September 17, 1-3 p.m.
Volunteers will complete projects to benefit the LGBTQ Center of Durham. Projects may include cleaning, landscaping, etc. Limited transportation available; email volunteer@durhamtech.edu for more information.
Mini Alternative Service Break: Forging Friendships at Camp Royall
September 20-22
Learn more about ASB and apply
This immersive overnight trip will take place at the Autism Society of NC’s Camp Royall in Pittsboro, NC. A team of 15 Durham Tech students will be selected to be trained by Camp Royall staff, learn about autism, and lead the children in camp activities throughout the weekend.
Project Talk: Briggs Avenue Community Garden and Beekeeping
Sign up for Beekeeping and Community Garden
Friday, September 27, 9 – Noon
Project Talk brings international and local students together to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. This Project Talk session will take place in Briggs Avenue Community Garden. Students will volunteer in the garden and are invited to stay for beekeeping after the garden shift.
Geer Cemetery Clean-up with Keep Durham Beautiful
Sign up for Geer Cemetery Clean-up
Friday, September 27, 1–3 p.m., Geer Cemetery
Remove weeds, sticks, and other debris in this cemetery. Geer Cemetery is the oldest African American cemetery in Durham. It has been neglected since it closed in 1944 and Keep Durham Beautiful now organizes clean ups to help maintain this historical site. Limited transportation is available. Limited transportation available; email volunteer@durhamtech.edu for more information.
October
Alternative Service Break: Serve Seaside
October 8-11
Learn more about ASB and apply
This is four-day environmental service trip to Charleston, SC. Participants are selected through an application process. Applications close Friday, September 6th. Volunteers will complete clean-up projects and service related to plastic pollution and fracking. We will partner with Keep Charleston Beautiful, Charleston Waterkeeper, Charleston Surfrider, and SCORE.
Cooking prep shifts at Cooperative Extension Office
Friday, October 25, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m.
Prepare food for our Garden 2 Table Day event. We have two shifts scheduled at the Cooperative Extension Kitchen at 721 Foster Street. Volunteers will be led in preparing food for the next day's event. Limited transportation available; email volunteer@durhamtech.edu for more information.
Garden 2 Table Cookout and Workday at Briggs Avenue Community Garden
Sign up for Garden 2 Table Cookout
Saturday, October 26, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Briggs Avenue Community Garden
Join fellow Durham Tech volunteers and community members at the Briggs Avenue Community Garden for a morning of garden service projects and an afternoon picnic. All volunteers are invited to stay after the service projects for a free afternoon cookout at the Briggs Pavilion. You must volunteer to participate in the cookout. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes in the garden.
Project Talk: Storytelling – Ghost and Ghouls
Thursday, October 31, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Phillips 3-125, Teaching-Learning Center
Project Talk brings international and local students together to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. Join us for a Halloween celebration! Share stories - spooky or not. Stories could be urban legends, folktales, or others you enjoy.
November
Pop Culture Trivia at Threshold Clubhouse
Sign up for Pop Culture Trivia
Saturday, November 2, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Volunteers will host a pop-culture trivia game for the members of Threshold Clubhouse. Threshold Clubhouse is dedicated to helping adults with serious mental illness. At the event, volunteers will play in teams with the club members to answer the questions. Volunteers can also earn service hours in advance of this event by writing the trivia questions. Email Jes Dormady if you are interested in writing trivia questions. Limited transportation available; email volunteer@durhamtech.edu for more information.
Project Talk: Games
Tuesday, November 5, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Phillips 3-125, Teaching-Learning Center
Project Talk brings international and local students together to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. Bring your favorite board game or come ready to play some games. A variety of games will be available.
Diaper Packaging at the Diaper Bank of North Carolina
Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m.-Noon
Volunteers will package bundles of donated diapers for easy distribution by the Diaper Bank. Volunteers will be working in a warehouse without temperature control so please dress for the outdoor temperature and wear closed-toe shoes.
Durham Rescue Mission: Men’s Shelter Lunch
Sign up for Durham Rescue Mission
Saturday, November 23: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Prepare and serve lunch to the men staying at Durham Rescue Mission. Durham Rescue Mission currently serves 400 men, women and children a day, 365 days a year throughout the Triangle by providing safe shelter, addiction recovery programs and much more. Volunteers must stop by Phillips 3-110C in advance to complete a paper waiver for Durham Rescue Mission. Limited transportation available; email volunteer@durhamtech.edu for more information.
December
Project Talk: Holidays
Monday, December 2, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Phillips 3-125, Teaching-Learning Center
Project Talk brings international and local students together to interact with each other in a casual and social environment. It is the holiday season, so why not talk about holidays and share what makes the holidays special to us? If you'd like, bring a recipe or favorite holiday food to share!