Dear Penn Community,

Thank you for your spirit of volunteerism particularly during these challenging times. We have had to move to a virtual program, but our determination to serve continues. The University community continues to be in a position to be good neighbors in our shared community. We thank you for your overwhelming support and for your generosity.

Please take a look at the following list of volunteer activities. Let us help you volunteer! Contact Isabel Mapp at sammapp@upenn.edu to for more information.

Become a Mentor in the Penn Workplace Virtual Mentoring Program

Encourage 7th 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 will meet with students once a month via Zoom October-May. All sessions will be held virtually. There will be a general session and a smaller break-out session.

Volunteer today! Contact Isabel Mapp at sammapp@upenn.edu for additional information.

Penn Adopts A Classroom/School (Virtually)

An exciting opportunity for you and your colleagues to “adopt” a Philadelphia school or classroom, and help with needed supplies.

We have developed a program to make donations virtually. Provide needed classroom items like:

• Bluelight Glasses
• Document Cameras
• Small Microphones to be used in class; in person
• Clorox Wipes
• Lysol
• Boxes of Tissue 
• Earbuds/Headphones
• Calculators
• Crayons
• Pencils
• Highlighters 
• Composition Books
• Pens
• Folders
• Glue Sticks
• Small White Boards/Dry Erase Boards
• Clipboards
• Rulers
• Chart Pads

Work with classrooms involved in Community Schools operated by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. Schools include Lea,  Sayre, West, Comegys, and more. You would have the opportunity to select the age group you prefer. A wish-list will be provided.

You and your colleagues can work together to provide the supplies.

Purchase items online using services like Amazon; send items directly to the school. Please provide items on or before October 10.

Teach at the University Assisted Community School (UACS Nights)

Program now being done virtually using Zoom.

Have a special talent? Want to teach it to members of the surrounding community?

Our exciting program called University Assisted Community Schools Nights continues virtually.

Teach adult learners your expertise. Teach resume writing, interviewing skills, computers, employment prep, dance, hair braiding, cooking, and/or a 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 are normally held 6-8 p.m.

Become a Dropsite Volunteer

Program now being done virtually. Although Dropsite volunteers are located throughout the University and provide the site for collections during our annual school, food, gift and change drives, they now maintain a list of agencies donations can be sent to directly.

All that is required is for you to agree to be placed on the Dropsite list, help advertise the various drives to your colleagues, and provide the information for the various agencies the donations will go to. You will be provided with the list. There are only approximately 3-4 activities per year.

Donors will mail their items directly to the agency utilizing services like Amazon.

Leftover Conference Bags, T-shirts, Pens, etc.?

Donate them to Penn VIPS. We will share them with school children and members of the community.

Items can be sent via Penn mail to the Netter Center, St. Leonard’s Court. 3819-33 Chestnut Street, Suite 120, Mail Code 3171

November/December Preview

Please join us for our virtual Food and Toy Drive. Order items online to be sent directly to shelters, food pantries, and agencies.

Join us for our Adopt A Family for the holidays. You will receive a wish list, items can be purchased online to be sent directly to families.