Center for Community Engagement and Service

students in greenhouse

Located in the Mercy Commons on the garden level of Our Lady of Mercy Chaptel, the Center for Community Engagement and Service empowers students to grow as inspired leaders and engaged citizens seeking to build a more harmonious, just and merciful world. Through mutually beneficial partnerships that address the expressed needs of our local and global community, the center advances the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy, service leadership and the common good.

Serve Your Community and Help Those in Need

All students can participate in service opportunities prior to graduation, allowing them to share their talents with those in need and learn more about the community they call home.

Participation in community service is a visible way to live the mission of the University. Students have the opportunity to serve in Rhode Island prior to graduation, allowing them to share their talents with those in need and learn more about themselves and the community they call home.

Opportunities include working with children or the elderly, volunteering in a sports-oriented atmosphere or local soup kitchen, helping with food drives, working with animals, tutoring, assisting with environmental projects and more. Projects not offered through the center must be approved before they can be considered appropriate for a community service experience.
 

Immerse Yourself

Service immersions offer a unique opportunity for students to volunteer, experience a new culture, build community and reflect on their service experiences. It’s also a great way to meet new friends as you work together in ways that can be truly life-changing.

Service Immersion Opportunities
2021 Service Plunge at Norman Bird Sanctuary

Vision of Mercy Fellowship

Established by two faculty members who are also Sisters of Mercy, the Vision of Mercy Summer Fellowship recognizes students who are committed to peace and justice and to working with advocacy groups on behalf of underserved individuals, all in accordance with the mission of the Sisters of Mercy. The fellowship offers students a high-impact, community-based experience rooted in Salve's mercy mission.

More information
Catherine McAuley statue on Salve Regina University campus

Serving Our Community Partners

The Center for Community Engagement and Service partners with local nonprofit organizations to provide semester- and year-long service opportunities that have extraordinary impact for those serving as well as those being served.

Semester in Service

The Semester in Service program connects dedicated and motivated Salve students with nonprofit organizations in need of long-term volunteers.
 

Thompson Academy at Salve provides local middle schoolers with the opportunity to visit campus and interact with college students while completing projects and engaging in a wide variety of activities. The program is designed to help encourage higher education learning and professional career success.

Volunteer Responsibilities and Expectations

  • Plan, develop and host activities on campus for fifth-graders at Thompson Middle School.
  • Coordinate weekly lessons, activities or on-campus field trips for Thompson students through collaboration with academic departments, clubs and/or organizations.
  • Volunteers must be available on selected days from 3-6:30 p.m. (Mondays and Wednesdays, tentatively on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
  • Assist with the accommodations and tend to the basic needs of all students in the program (including but not limited to students from diverse backgrounds, personal family situations and children with special needs).
  • Attend mandatory program training (once per academic semester).

If you are interested in volunteering with this after-school program, email community.services@salve.edu.

Service Advocates Program

The Service Advocates Program offers students the opportunity to participate in 100 hours of civic engagement and service each academic year, providing the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to become active leaders.

Service advocates participate in regular training, direct service and reflection activities. They practice valuable leadership in the Aquidneck Island community, endeavor to promote a positive culture of service, and increase volunteerism at local nonprofits. Ideal candidates are dedicated, passionate and motivated students who are seeking to make positive changes across campus and in the community.

Service advocates complete 100 hours of service at an approved community partner site throughout the academic year and receive up to $1,600 per year.

Program Requirements

  • Full-time undergraduate (first-year, sophomore or junior) in good academic standing
  • Attend all mandatory program meetings
  • Participate in one group service project each semester
  • Complete one office hour weekly in the Center for Community Engagement and Service
  • Attend a leadership retreat
  • Present at the SRyou Student Exposition

Senior service advocates are leaders in service who inspire students to promote change throughout their time at Salve. Highlighted by regular training, mentoring to undergraduate service advocates and reflection activities, senior service advocates engage in valuable leadership experiences in the Aquidneck Island community and endeavor to promote a positive culture of service and civic engagement on campus.

Program Requirements

  • Participate in a one-day leadership training
  • Co-organize one group service program or project each semester
  • Plan, facilitate and lead a service advocate leadership retreat
  • Plan, facilitate and lead one monthly breakfast, lunch or dinner
  • Mentor a cohort of five service advocates
  • Complete one office hour weekly in the Center for Community Engagement and Service
  • Share a culminating reflection of service at an end-of-the-year event

Catherine's Cupboard

Named for the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine’s Cupboard helps combat food insecurity experienced by members of the Salve community. Established in 2024 and located in the Mercy Commons, it has become an important resource, which is replenished through collections at Sunday Mass held by the Center for Spiritual Life, grants and generous donations from the community. The cupboard has also expanded beyond providing food alone, offering hygiene products, clothing and books, and acting as a listing source of resources available through community partners.

Catherine Cupboard, located in the Mercy Commons.

Donation Drives

Donation drives offer a unique opportunity for students to volunteer, help build community and reflect on their service experiences. We invite students to live the Salve’s mission throughout the year by donating to these drives whenever possible.

Shoe Drive

Held in the spring, our shoe drives collect new and gently used shoes for impoverished children and youth. Donations benefit GiftsToGive, a local nonprofit that works with dozens of child welfare and community organizations to provide customized care packages to homeless and at-risk children.

Give Before You Go

Held each May, Give Before You Go provides students with an easy and accessible way to donate unwanted items during move out, rather than throwing them away.  Donations will be distributed to organizations and community partners such as the Housing Hotline, McKinney Shelter, Conexion Latina Newport, Catherine’s Cupboard and Mustard Seed Communities in the Dominican Republic. 

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Each November, the Thanksgiving food drive collects nonperishable donations for Child & Family, Newport Community School, Lucy's Hearth, Florence Gray Center, Housing Hotline, Saint Vincent's and the Salvation Army. All offices, departments, student organizations, sports teams, residence halls, classes and organizations, along with any students who want to form a team on their own, are invited to participate. 

Angel Tree

A longstanding tradition at Salve benefits individuals in the community, shelter animals and after-school programs. Donors choose a tag from Christmas trees located throughout campus and purchase holiday gifts from the wish list on the tag. Members of the campus community may also make monetary donations for elves to do the shopping. The program supports local organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County, Child & Family, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Newport County YMCA, Newport Public Schools, Potter League for Animals, Salvation Army and Tashirat Orphanage in Mexico.

Better World Books

The Better World Books textbook drive has diverted millions of books from landfills and raised millions of dollars for literacy and libraries. Since 2011, we have encouraged students to donate their unused textbooks at the conclusion of each semester. To date, Salve has donated more than 105 boxes of textbooks. Donations received from the collection benefit student scholarships.

Meet Our Team

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