National and International Programs

National Programs

Americorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.

Teach for America
Teach for America is the National Corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand opportunity for children.

Compeer National Website
Compeer is a not for profit organization which matches community volunteers in supportive friendship relationships with children and adults receiving mental health treatment.

Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America programs serve individuals and families in some 300 communities across the country, and volunteers have an important role in the success of these programs.

Volunteering -HUD
The U.S. Department of Housing and Human Developments goal is to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary home and suitable living environment for every American.

International Programs

Click here for issues to consider when choosing a program

Amigos de las Americas
Amigos de las Américas trains and provides opportunities for high school and college students to participate in service projects in Latin America while developing leadership skills, advancing community development, and strengthening multi-cultural understanding in the Americas. Amigos provides an extensive pre-departure training for volunteers, and is commended on its involvement of the Latin American youth in the projects.

Amizade
If you are looking for a short-term program that combines meaningful work with cultural exchange, and especially if you are interested in the Amazon, Amizade may be an excellent choice for you. Projects focus on areas such as the construction of schools, health clinics, or environmental centers. Cultural exchange is promoted with local youth, and the program tries to diminish ideologies of "the North-South Superiority."

CIEE International Volunteer Projects
Immerse yourself in a volunteer community and culture during the day; during free time, do your own discovery of the area and its surroundings. CIEE sponsors 2 – 4 week service projects in over 30 countries where you will live in a camp and work with locals and other international volunteers as part of a team.

Cross-Cultural Solutions
Cross-Cultural Solutions work with local NGOs in a wide range of health-care, education, and social developmental issues in countries across the globe. Programs are typically three weeks. CCS is known for its careful consideration of both the needs of its volunteers and the needs of the local NGOs

Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack health care due to social or geographical isolation. Two years of professional experience are required, so this is an excellent option for post-graduation.

Peace Corps
While volunteers continue to do important work like bringing clean water to communities and teaching children, today's volunteers also work on areas like HIV/AIDS awareness, information technology, and business development. Volunteers must be at least twenty-five years old and have a university or technical degree as well as a minimum of three to five years work experience in a relevant profession.

Teaching and Projects Abroad
Teaching & Projects Abroad offers a diverse range of teaching, care, conservation, medical, journalism, and work experience projects, plus the opportunity to live in and become part of a local community overseas with fellow volunteers. They pay special attention to the long-term effects that their programs have on the communities in which volunteers are placed.

Visions in Action
Visions in Action is an international nonprofit organization committed to achieving social justice in the developing world through the participation incommunities of self-reliant grassroots volunteers. They are distinguished by their explicit commitment to social justice and the quality of the partner organizations with which volunteers are placed, and are a good choice for those with a commitment to social justice who want some support but can function independently.

VolunteerAbroad.com
A directory for international volunteer programs. Search through thousands of volunteer programs around the world.

Volunteers for Peace International Workcamps
Workcamps involve programs fostering international education, voluntary service, and friendship among the other volunteers from at least four different countries. Volunteer Workcamps often do not provide a total immersion into the local culture, but provide a great group experience with other volunteers from different countries and cultures.

World Teach
World Teach is a teach English abroad program that works with many different languages and places such as China, South America, Africa, and the Marshall Islands, and is reputed as a leading option for volunteer teaching abroad.

Resources for Finding and Evaluating International Programs

How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas
by Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, & Zahara Heckscher:
A fact filled guide to everything you need to know about international volunteering. Based on six years of research in over 25 countries, the book includes a chapter about the pros and cons of the Peace Corps, facts and detailed evaluations of over 80 volunteer placement organizations, critical advice on staying safe and healthy while overseas, helpful information about what to pack and interpreting State Department warnings, and special tips for women. The book provides information to make volunteering a financially viable option, and discusses a variety of strategies for becoming an effective international volunteer.
** Available for check-out in the Resource Library in the Office of Volunteer Prorams.

Directory of International Voluntary Service
This site has extensive lists of programs abroad sorted by country. If you don't find what you're looking for, see the section on General Information on Voluntary Service and Non-Profit Resources for more websites and databases recommended by them.

Idealist (A resource by Action Without Borders)
A well-known database of non-profit opportunities. Browse the databases or click the "Volunteers" and "Volunteering Abroad" links on the sidebar for a listing and description of agencies.

International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA)
This website not only includes a listing of agencies for international volunteer work, but also has extensive information on fellowships, scholarships, and funding resources; helpful publications; resources to find international jobs; and other resources!

Response Directory:
The Response Directory is a database of thousands of full-time volunteer opportunities available through over 200 member programs. This database can help you find a volunteer program that fits your skills and interests. You can search this database by type of placement, region/state/country, length of service, financial arrangements, living arrangements, size of program and special categories.

University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center
Helpful information on things to consider when choosing a program as well as tips on how to evaluate programs. Several programs that are cosponsored by the University of Minnesota are also listed.