Dear Penn Community,

Thank you for your spirit of volunteerism.  Many benefit from your willingness to share. We receive many expressions of gratitude from community members and agencies we have partnered with. The University community continues to work towards being good neighbors in our shared community. Please e-mail sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu to for more information.

We thank you for your overwhelming support and for your generosity.

—Isabel Sampson-Mapp, Associate Director Netter Center for Community Partnerships

Teach at the University Assisted Community School (UACS) Nights. Have a special talent? Want to teach it to members of the surrounding community? Teach adult learners your expertise. Teach resume writing, interviewing skills, computers, employment prep, dance, hair braiding, cooking or another subject you are passionate about. Teach once a week for a one- or two-hour period for four to six weeks. We also welcome classes that can be taught in one session. Classes will be held at West Philadelphia High School from 6-8 p.m. 

Provide an internship for a high school senior. The Netter Center has developed an internship program for high school seniors from two West Philadelphia high schools. A student, at no cost to you, would work at your site for approximately four hours per week during the school day. In return, the student would receive critical exposure to a professional setting and help in developing the soft skills that employers value. The students would receive ongoing professional development from the Netter Center throughout the year, and a Netter staff member would visit the worksite on a regular basis to ensure a positive experience for both student and staff. The program is scheduled to start in late October and to continue through May. For more information, contact Theresa Simmonds at theresae@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 301-2656.

Adopt A Classroom. An exciting opportunity for you and your colleagues to “adopt” a Philadelphia school classroom. Provide needed classroom items like reams of paper, pens, pencils, tissues, hand sanitizer, notebooks, folders, glue sticks, disinfecting wipes, calculators, index cards, scissors, backpacks, pencil sharpeners, dividers, protractors, highlighters, markers, construction paper, book socks, combination locks, personal organizers, Post-its, tape, staplers and staples, etc.

Work with classrooms at community schools operated by the Netter Center. Schools include Lea, Sayre, West and Comegys. You would have the opportunity to select the age group you prefer. A classroom would be assigned to you with a wish list. You and your colleagues can collect supplies. Arrangements will be made in September for you to make your donations to your adopted class. 

Become a Mentor in the Penn Workplace Mentoring Program. Encourage seventh graders from a local school to do well in school. Talk to them about the importance of college. Share your area of expertise in your job with them and help them to think about their futures. Make a difference in the life of a young person! Mentors meet with students once a month from September-May. All sessions are held on Penn’s campus. Training is held in September. 

Leftover conference bags, T-shirts, pens, etc.? Donate them to Penn VIPS who will share them with school children and the community. 

Become a Dropsite Volunteer. Volunteers are located throughout the University and provide the sites for collections during our annual school, food, gift and change drives. All that is required is for you to set up a collection area, put up a flyer and collect the donations. There are a few activities per year. 

Join the Penn Team for Making Strides. Saturday, October 15, 7:30 a.m., Please Touch Museum, West Fairmount Park. We will be hosting a planning meeting in September.