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Welcome to our Community Engagement Edition!

Happy Spring Break, Rams!

Whether you're reconnecting with your community at home, exploring a new one, or are right here in our beloved RVA this week, we invite you to take some time to consider how your orgs gives back to the communities important to you and your mission.

Community engagement is more than just checking off service hours. It’s about building real relationships beyond campus. When student organizations volunteer, they strengthen the communities they’re part of while developing leadership, empathy, and teamwork among members. Giving time and skills to others helps students connect their passions to real-world impact, turning campus involvement into meaningful change that lasts far beyond graduation.

What does community engagement look like for your student org?

Community engagement can take many forms! Find out what type of service your organization wants to engage in! Depending on your organization’s mission, interests, and capacity, community engagement might look like:

Partnering with a local nonprofit or school
Hosting donation drives or fundraising events
Offering mentorship, tutoring, or workshops
Participating in one-day service projects or ongoing volunteer commitments

Consistent and intentional involvement helps create connections between your organization and the greater Richmond community.

1. Start with your mission– Ask how your org’s goals or skills align with community needs. Academic, cultural, service-based, and social orgs all have something valuable to offer. Subscribe to volunteer newsletters sent out by local nonprofits– this will keep you informed on what opportunities are available in the area!

2. Connect with local partners– Reach out to community organizations, campus service offices, or volunteer centers to see what support they need. Use our cheat sheet for local organizations that have worked with VCU students and org’s in the past!

3. Make it accessible– Try and offer a mix of both weekend events and long-term volunteer opportunities so more members can participate, regardless of their busy schedules.

4. Build service into your culture– Include service in your calendar, officer roles, or membership expectations so it becomes a regular part of your organization and not just a one-time activity.

5. Reflect and share– After volunteering, talk about the experience. Reflection helps members understand the impact of their work and strengthens commitment to future engagement.

Resource: Long Term Volunteer Opportunities

Multicultural Night at Chalkley Elementary

Chalkley Elementary School in Chesterfield County is hosting a Multicultural Night on Wednesday, March 18th from 5:45-7:45pm.

They are looking for organizations that would be willing to put on a performance for their students and families or provide interactive cultural activities during the event.

They would love any involvement from the VCU community to make this event a success! If your organization is interested in performing or participating please reach out to Jacklyn Smith at jacklyn_smith@ccpsnet.net.

VCU’s Day of Service brings together students, faculty, staff, and alumni to partner with community organizations across the Greater Richmond region.

This is not a one-day volunteer event built around charity. It is a collaborative day rooted in partnership, respect, and shared impact.

VCU Day of Service is March 19, 2026 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

The Out of the Darkness Campus Walks engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.

These events, held on college campuses, raise crucial funds for research, education, and support programs, while fostering community and breaking the stigma around mental health, lead by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Student organizations are encouraged to get involved! Sign up to volunteer or register for the event taking place in Park Plaza on March 21st. To learn more, visit https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/VCU.

The Big Event at VCU is an annual, student-led day of service that brings together members of the VCU community to give back to the city of Richmond. Through a variety of volunteer projects such as yard work, painting, and other hands-on assistance, students, faculty, and staff work alongside one another to support local residents and organizations.

The event serves as a meaningful way for VCU to express gratitude to the surrounding community while strengthening the relationship between the university and the city it calls home.