ACCESS Academy Community Service Program

 

The second ‘S’ in ACCESS stands for “Service to the community and society, with tolerance and wisdom.”

 

ACCESS has a voluntary community service program for all students who wish to participate. The program’s mission is to inspire students to see themselves as part of a broader community ––  both locally and internationally –– and to help students learn and think about many social issues, such as homelessness, hunger, animal welfare, social justice, ecology, international issues, and disaster relief. The program seeks to encourage ACCESS students to become leaders in community service, both during and outside of school.

 

Students who participate in the program volunteer with community, religious or other non-profit organizations, and/or on independent projects. Students who lend their talent, energy, and time to service learn that they can take action to solve real problems locally and around the globe.

 

Volunteer Activities

 

Students can volunteer for whatever causes they care about, as long as it helps somebody in need (or helps an organization that helps those in need). They can do the same activity all year, or many different activities.

 

Examples of past student activities include:

 

  • Repacked food at the Oregon Food Bank
  • Recycled computers at Free Geek
  • Helped at the Oregon Humane Society
  • Performed music and read at a nursing home
  • Served meals at a church
  • Helped an elderly neighbor with weekly recycling, shoveling snow, weeding, holiday lights
  • Organized a fundraiser for climate education
  • Helped feed homeless people
  • Packed books for the Book Bank
  • Planted trees and pulled ivy
  • Cleaned litter in a park
  • Volunteered at a library
  • Get out the Vote - postcards/ calls
  • Mentored preschoolers
  • Yard sale with proceeds to charity of choice, like  a local social justice program

 

Need ideas? The Hands On Portland calendar lists hundreds of activities, many of which are appropriate for kids. 

 

If you know of or discover opportunities you think other ACCESS students and families would enjoy, please help us by spreading the word about them. Students often enjoy working with peers to complete their hours.