Volunteering

The Naropa University Community Studies Center maintains ongoing community partnerships with many local and national nonprofit and service organizations. Many of these organizations are regularly in need of volunteers who can contribute a variety of skills and talents. There is a wide range of things that students can do as volunteers in our community, ranging from ecological restoration to hospice care to counseling and reiki. Sites range from schools to prisons to shelters to trails along the Front Range. In addition, organizations are seeking a wide range of commitment levels with regard to the weekly commitment and long term-duration of service. Some organizations would like someone for ten hours a week for a term of at least a year; others are looking for three hours of help for a specific event. 

Spring 2009 Alternative Spring Break

For the second annual Naropa Alternative Spring Break, we travel this year once more to New Orleans, Louisiana. We intend to deepen our engagement with the landscape of the still disaster ridden area, and delve further into the methodology of contemplative service learning.

The trip still costs a meager $200 for food, lodging and travel, there and back. Food bought during travel and when we are out on the town (living up the night life, as some might say) is not covered. Please follow this link to access the electronic copy of the application, which can be dropped off at the Community Studies Office (2111 building, northwest corner of second floor).

For more information about the trip and the area we will be working in, please attend the March 8 event in PAC, 2 to 6 p.m. Food, live music, information, opportunities to connect with others, and a movie will all be offered. You may also contact Jared for more information.

Volunteer opportunities

Community Work Study Opportunities - Options are available to recieve work study compensation.

Current Volunteer Opportunities - Volunteering opportunities in the greater community.

Boulder Housing Partners (BHP)

Job Title: T’ai Chi Ch’uan and/or Yoga Teacher:
The T’ai Chi Ch’uan  teacher position provides guidance and instruction in appropriate exercises for seniors and adults with disabilities. These exercises are very helpful for these residents to maintain their physical health to remain independent as long as possible. Other exercise methods are also welcomed such as walking, weights and resistance work.

Job Title: Gardener: 
This volunteer opportunity provides general gardening maintenance work for the three senior sites managed by Boulder Housing Partners. This position ranges from one to three hours per week. The fall period is an especially important time to get the flower beds cleared of weeds and dead plants.

Job Title: Apartment Packer:
The Apartment Packer position assists residents to pack their belongings when necessary for renovation and capital improvement projects. This opportunity is open to persons fourteen years old with their parent’s permission as well as those over eighteen years of age.

Job Title: BHP Historian:
This position assists BHP in maintaining its historical data, pictures and accomplishments in good order for future reference and safe keeping. BHP currently has many pictures, annual reports and other documents from its fortieth celebration event that need to be organized and placed in protective covers to preserve them for the future. The organization of these documents will take approximately forty hours over several months. Follow-up work with current documents will take approximately fifteen hours over a two or three month time.

Job Title: Office Assistant: 
This volunteer position will assist a resident with her small business database. The job requires good knowledge of computer databases, data input and organization. It will require about three hours per week for several weeks.

Job Title: Group Projects:
BHP has several projects that groups can complete in one or two days. The work consists of cleanup around the BHP housing sites, sweeping sidewalks and parking lots.

Please call Volunteer Coordinator Richard A. Butler at 303-435-2786 for more information.