Service

 

Lady speaking into a microphone on a stage.
The United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County works closely with JMU's Student United Way to address areas of need in the local community.

“The student population at JMU is a tremendous source of energy, creativity and compassion. Simply put, Student United Way will allow United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County to have a broader reach and impact in the community. For example, the first Student United Way project was to feed Thanksgiving dinner to 250 low-income families in the Elkton area. We could not accomplish this project without Student United Way as a partner in the effort.”

— Betsy Hay, Executive Director, United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
In 2010, Hay worked with university leaders to help establish JMU’s Student United Way organization, the first one in Virginia.

Related Links:
United Way of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County
JMU Student United Way
JMU: Be the Change - Citizenship

 

“We continue to find new avenues for our kids to use JMU for collaboration and youth development impact opportunities. JMU has consistently proved eager and committed partners in our experience to help engage and benefit area youth. JMU faculty and staff serve on our board and our advisory council, and a number of other JMU faculty and staff serve on other youth-serving organizations’ boards around the community.”

— Todd Bale, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
In addition to the many JMU students who volunteer their time with BGCHR, Bale says various campus organizations conduct annual fundraisers to benefit the BGCHR, provide scholarships to members, teach classes and work with BGCHR to develop assessment skills.

Related Links:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

 students working with children in a center
Students are involved in many community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club. Students volunteer to work with children, as well as commit to fundraising for the club.

 

Students working on the porch of a house
JMU's Community Service-Learning gives students a chance to give back to many community organizations and instill a lifelong commitment to service.

“JMU’s Community Service-Learning helps meet the needs of our local community and improves the standard of life in the Shenandoah Valley through partnerships with around 80 local agencies – many of which say they wouldn’t be able to provide the programming they do without JMU.”

— Rich Harris (’77), Director, JMU Office of Community Service Learning
Community Service-Learning is a partnership joining JMU students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities by identifying and coordinating intentional service opportunities to cultivate social responsibility and life-long learning, thereby fostering a generation of leaders committed to positive social change.

Related Links:
JMU Office of Community Service Learning
JMU Alternative Break Program