Each month we'll send an email to your personal or student organization inbox with volunteer opportunities, workshops/program opportunities, and advocacy efforts.
To help get started, student organization members are welcome to meet with the CCE's AmeriCorps VISTA or assistant director to learn more about volunteer opportunities in the community, organizations where you can volunteer, and how to plan your next organization service project.
You can search for volunteer opportunities on BengalLink that are appropriate for groups. Type "GROUP" into the search bar. Check out a short video to show you how and a step-by-step guide.
Set up an appointment with a CCE staff member: Call 716-878-3919, Email: cce@buffalostate.edu, Follow: Instagram @buffalostatecce
Review the short list below of volunteer opportunities that might align with your student organization's interests and goals:
Habitat for Humanity: Groups may bring up to ten people to volunteer for a day at a construction site or a ReStore.
Grassroots Gardens: Groups of ten to twenty people are welcome to volunteer. Grassroots Gardens works with a variety of community and neighborhood groups, schools, block clubs, and other non-profit organizations.
Catholic Charities: Groups of five to ten people are welcome to contribute their time to a year-long program that offers young adults the chance to serve low-income populations in a variety of entry-level placements. Volunteers receive housing, health insurance, transportation, and a small stipend.
Crisis Services: Groups may bring five to ten people to volunteer in the Crisis Counseling Program (CCP), Crisis Services 24-hour Hotline, located in the city of Buffalo. By volunteering with the 24-hour hotline, volunteers are afforded the opportunity to help others when they need someone the most–in their time of crisis.
Jericho Road Community Health Center: Groups may bring twenty to thirty volunteers who will provide critical energy, skill, time, and resources to Jericho Road.
Massachusetts Avenue Project: Groups may bring up to five people to volunteer in the Growing Green Program, a youth development and urban agricultural program focused on increasing healthy food access and improving our communities.
International Institute of Buffalo: Groups of twenty to thirty people can volunteer by teaching English, supporting newly arrived refugees, organizing donation drives, hosting and dining with international visitors, helping with office work, and/or participating in a day of service.
Visit Buffalo Niagara: Groups may bring five to ten people to assist its social media team during a major convention or event through Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, act as timekeepers, help with registration, hand out water, or join the Buffalo Herd, its on-the-street team providing assistance with parking, directions, and other “ask me” questions from those not familiar with the area.
The Spring Shoreline Sweep: Each spring, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper coordinates a Spring Shoreline Sweep, the largest single-day shoreline cleanup in Western New York. Targeting shoreline sites, thousands of volunteers come out to engage in direct citizen action that makes our community a better place and reconnects the public with our region’s most valued asset — our water.
Find a categorized list of nonprofit organizations where your student organization can volunteer: Civic and Community Engagement Volunteer Opportunities
We've created a variety of resources to support student organizations interested in serving and engaging in the community. From videos, DIY Service Project Kits, to in-person workshops, the CCE is committed to supporting you and your members.
Please visit Workshop & Resources to learn more.
In addition to supporting you as you engage in the community, we also want to highlight your stories of service and promote your organization. If you fill out the Student Organizations: Post-Service Reflection form, email us, or DM us on Instagram (@buffalostatecce) we'll give you a shout out on social media.
Share your student organization's service experiences on the Student Organizations: Post-Service Reflection form.
Has your organization been active in service? You could apply for the Award for Outstanding Community Service by a Student Organization and be honored at the Celebration of Community Engagement!
The Outstanding Community Service by a Student Organization Award is presented to the student organization (including clubs, fraternities, sororities etc.) that provided valuable service to the community, extending its mission and influence beyond the SUNY Buffalo State campus.
Past Student Organization Awardees:
2021: Buffalo State Rotaract Club
2020: Future Teachers Club
2019: Future Teachers Club
2018: Sigma Lambda Upsilon
2017: Sigma Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau
2016: Black Active Minds
Individual Awards:
Have you been active in service? If you have completed at least 200 hours of service as a college student, you can apply for the President's Certificate of Recognition for Community Engagement!
The President's Certificate of Recognition for Community Engagement is a distinction that only SUNY Buffalo State undergraduate and graduate students can receive, awarded by Buffalo State President, Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner. This honor is given to students who have had extended engagement with the community and represents students' commitment to social responsibility and community participation, while meeting the demands of course load and work obligations.
There are three levels of recognition that students can apply for:
Community Supporter: At least 200 hours of community service
Neighborhood Advocate: At least 400 hours of community service
Active Citizen: At least 1,000 hours of community service
