University of Dayton : Center for Social Concern

Will you change the world?
Or will it change you?

You may define yourself by strong principles and a sincere desire to help others. The Center for Social Concern defines itself by turning your principles into action.

The Center promotes human dignity and sponsors student organizations whose work improves lives. So whether you want to work for peace, serve the local community for a day — or a semester — you'll find plenty of opportunities.

There are many other ways to get involved in service and justice, too. Spend your fall, spring or summer break on a BreakOut trip, and serve communities in places like Ecuador, Mexico and New Orleans. Immerse yourselves in new places and experience life in a whole new way through Plunges and immersion trips. Volunteer extra time on the weekends. Advocate for those who do not have a voice.

Here, you'll become not only people of service, but leaders of service as well.

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Be a hometown hero.

At the University of Dayton, we're dedicated to giving back. And that starts right here, in the Dayton area. We reach out to our neighbors through various programs and partnerships, and you can do your part in lots of unique ways.

For example, you can make the most of your free time over the weekend by participating in SERVICE Saturdays, which send groups of students to help with various volunteer projects in the Dayton area. You can also help a service club’s local efforts or contact one of our Community Agency Partners to volunteer in dozens of different area organizations, from the nearby humane society to Dayton’s branch of the American Red Cross.

Wherever your talents and your passions take you, you're sure to leave a lasting mark – and your neighbors will thank you!

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Live on the edge.

We encourage you to break free of your comfort zone – after all, that's the best way to earn a new perspective and have the greatest impact. With our service-learning trips, you can push yourself to be the cultured, meaningful individual you're called to be!

Service-learning is all about immersion and dedication. On our BreakOut trips, Plunges, Cross-Cultural Immersion Trips and School of the Americas vigil, you'll have an opportunity to expand your horizons, forge new relationships with your local and global neighbors, and work for meaningful causes.

Ask anyone who's participated in one of these programs about their experience, and you’ll hear the same thing again and again: there's nothing quite like them, and everyone comes away with a sense of humility and accomplishment.

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Spend a summer globetrotting with a higher purpose in mind.

Students love our summer programs – and for good reason. On these trips, you'll spend several weeks of your summer as a member of a new community. By living, working and interacting with new cultures and people, you'll dive right into a whole new world.

With programs in areas in Africa, Guatemala, India and the Appalachia region of the United States, you can choose from several immersion opportunities. Each program has a unique focus, ranging from education, language studies, religion, politics and more. You'll hold onto these memories and experiences for a lifetime, and it'll be inspiring to know that someone, somewhere across the globe, remembers your efforts, too!

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Give back by helping others move forward.

We know it's important to stay educated on issues of social concern, and it's our duty to educate others alongside us. In doing so, we advocate for justice. That's what it's all about.

Our awareness and advocacy programs are dedicated to diverse areas of social justice. From Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to our School of the Americans vigil, we work with and for our brothers and sisters all over the planet. Too many examples of injustice plague too much of our world – but you can do something about it.

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Starting to think four years of involvement aren't enough?

With each passing year, more and more UD alumni choose to spend a year or two in full-time service programs after graduation. Everyone has their own calling to follow. If you think yours might be in a post-grad volunteer program, we're here to help guide you!

The Center for Social Concern hosts several events throughout the year that are designed to help you discern this commitment. At the Beyond UD Fair and the Beyond UD Panel Supper, you can meet with various volunteer programs and plenty of UD grads who are current or former full-time volunteers.

Other resources are always available, too. Take a look at some of the post-grad volunteer programs available — or contact Nick Cardilino at 937-229-2576 or njc@udayton.edu to discuss volunteer opportunities.

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