Service Areas
Your passions = your purpose. Explore the ways you can get involved:
Environment & Sustainability
Passionate about the planet? Join other Lawrentians in clean energy advocacy, environmental justice efforts, or animal welfare projects. Whether you're lobbying for climate policy or helping at the humane society, you'll make a real-world impact.
▶️ Think: Eco-warriors, community gardens, animal shelters.
Arts & Education
Use your creativity and knowledge to bridge opportunity gaps in education and arts access. We team up with awesome partners like the Boys & Girls Club and local schools to bring learning to life.
▶️ Think: tutoring, after-school arts programs, music mentoring.
Child Advocacy
Every kid deserves a champion. This area dives into the needs and experiences of youth in our community. Help empower kids through mentorship, enrichment activities, and advocacy for safer, healthier childhoods.
▶️ Think: story time, mentoring, play-based learning.
Civics & Society
Ready to be the change? This service area is all about civic engagement and social justice. Work alongside local organizers, join nonpartisan voter efforts, and explore the real mechanics of change-making.
▶️ Think: voter drives, grassroots movements, policy action.
Fair Housing & Hunger
Food and shelter are basic rights. Help tackle housing insecurity and food injustice by partnering with shelters, pantries, and local advocacy groups working to build a safer, more equitable Fox Valley.
▶️ Think: meal prepping, food banks, community housing coalitions.
Public Health & Wellness
Support the physical and mental health of our neighbors. Work with groups like NAMI, ThedaCare, and hospice organizations to promote wellness and provide compassionate care.
▶️ Think: suicide prevention, elder care, holistic health education.
Signature Programs
Want a deeper dive into service and leadership? These programs are where impact meets community:
First of Many
Mentor local high school students as they explore the college journey. Each Winter Term, volunteers guide First-Gen youth through topics like FAFSA, applications, and campus life.
🕒 1 hour/week | 8 weeks of impact + connection
Note: Youth Protection Training & background check required.
👉 Mentor Interest Application
LARY Buddy Mentoring
Lawrence Assistance Reaching Youth (LARY) Buddy program is a youth mentoring program. Become a buddy to a student at Edison Elementary and make a lasting impact! You’ll provide academic, social, and emotional support — in class, on the playground, or even on mini field trips.
🕒 ~2 hours/week | YPT + background check required
👉 Learn More
VITAL Tutoring Program
Support K-12 learners through academic tutoring in the Appleton Area School District. We’ll match you with a student and provide resources to help them thrive.
🕒 1–2 hours/week | YPT + background check required
👉 Apply to Be a Tutor
👉 Request a Tutor (Parents)
Meet the Program Coordinators
The Center for Community Engagement & Social Change (CCE) is proud to have a dedicated team of student leaders who coordinate and support key service areas across Lawrence University and the greater Fox Cities. These student coordinators help manage partnerships, recruit volunteers, and implement meaningful programs that connect Lawrence students with our local community. Get to know the coordinators behind our signature programs and community engagement initiatives:
- Charlotte Newville – Community Partner Coordinator: Empowerment
Charlotte focuses on building and sustaining partnerships that support arts, education, child advocacy, and housing equity. She also leads the First of Many program, connecting first-generation college students at Lawrence with local high schoolers aspiring to be the first in their families to attend college. - Yaxeny Hernandez-Ravelo – Community Partner Coordinator: Wellbeing
Yaxeny works closely with organizations focused on public health, wellness, and environmental sustainability. She also oversees the Viking Downtown Deals program, forging connections between local businesses and the Lawrence community to promote student wellbeing and access to resources. - Alice Gorinshteyn – Signature Program Coordinator
Alice oversees two of the CCE’s flagship service programs: VITAL (Volunteers in Tutoring at Lawrence) and LARY Buddy. These initiatives provide academic support and mentorship to K-12 students in the Appleton Area School District by pairing them with Lawrence University student volunteers.
