If you represent an agency that does not currently receive TeamVOLS Volunteers, please fill out THIS FORM. This “Community Outreach Request Form” will let the TeamVOLS staff know what type of agency you represent, what your current volunteer need is, etc.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Animal Outreach Program is to allow UT students the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Knoxville’s animals and the people in their lives. To accomplish this, our volunteers spend their time at the Young-Williams Animal Center, Humane Society and Mane Support, to name a few. Volunteers walk dogs, play with cats, clean kennels and help with various fundraisers to further the reach of these agencies.
For more information, please contact the Animal Outreach program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Global Issues Program is to allow UT students the opportunity to raise awareness and coordinate volunteer opportunities that will benefit populations outside of our country. Volunteers for this program will have the opportunity to work with local agencies such as Bridge Refugee Services and Catholic Charities of East Tennessee who both provide services to immigrants and refugees relocating to Knoxville. In addition, this position would help coordinate emergency relief efforts on our campus for global crisis situations like the Haitian earthquake in January 2010.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Healthcare and Hospitals program is to allow UT students the opportunity to make a difference and volunteer with our local hospitals and affiliated organizations. Students have worked with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Parkwest, Thompson Cancer Center, and UT Medical Center. Student volunteers also work with various medical non-profit organizations such as the Red Cross and Remote Area Medical.
For more information, please contact the Healthcare and Hospitals program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Hunger and Homelessness is to allow UT students the opportunity to alleviate the problems of hunger and homelessness in the Knoxville area and participate in fundraising events the Ramadan Fast-A-Thon. Student volunteers work with several agencies including, but not limited to, the Love Kitchen (a local soup kitchen recently featured on ‘Secret Millionaire’), the Crop Walk, Lost Sheep, Water Angels and the Salvation Army.
For more information, please contact the Hunger & Homelessness program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Knoxville Beautification is to allow UT students the opportunity to beautify their community. Student volunteers participate in tree plantings, litter pick-ups, flyer clean-ups around UT’s campus and park clean-ups with South Knoxville Beautification, IJAMS Nature Center, Friends of the Fort, and other local environmental agencies such as Beardsley Community Farm.
For more information, please contact the Knoxville Beautification program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Literacy program is to help the youth and community of Knoxville realize their potential for literacy and what this potential will provide for them. Volunteers with the TeamVOLS: Literacy program read to children at local Elementary schools and at the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
For more information about getting involved, please contact the Literacy program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Senior Citizens is to allow UT students the opportunity to organize and participate in recreational activities with senior adults at area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Activities range from Bingo tournaments to UT pep rallies, talent shows and “Senior” prom dances. TeamVOLS: Senior Citizens volunteers frequently work with Northaven Health Care and Arbor Terrace. Student volunteers can play board games, make treats, and paint fingernails. During the holidays, there are TeamVOLS sponsored parties with crafts for all the residents of the nursing home.
For more information, please contact the Senior Citizens program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Special Events is to allow UT students the opportunity to volunteer with several annual events in the Knoxville Area and events that might not fit in a specific volunteer category. In the past, we have coordinated volunteers for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure, Dance Marathon (a nationwide fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network) and other annual events that benefit the local community.
For more information, please contact the Special Events program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Special Persons is to allow UT students the opportunity to work with and learn from individuals with mental and physical disabilities. TeamVOLS sponsors a variety of opportunities to work with them, including recreational, mentor, and fundraising activities. Opportunities for service are primarily through Sunshine Industries, Special Olympics of Greater Knoxville and disability associations around Knoxville. Each spring, there is a Special Olympics Unified Bowling League, at the ‘Down Under’ Campus bowling lanes, pairing Special Olympics athletes one-on-one with UT students for six weeks of competition and fun. Service opportunities for shorter-term commitments include hosting event parties for various organizations, assisting Special Olympics with specific competitions and the occasional weekend-long Vision Camp.
For more information, please contact the Special Persons program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Sports and Recreation is to allow UT students the opportunity to work with local agencies that focus on sports and recreation to support and uplift community members. This committee believes sports are an avenue to learn hard work, teamwork, discipline, and to have fun. Volunteers can act as coaches for local Flag Football leagues and Basketball Leagues or help with many special events that need volunteers. TeamVOLS: Sports and Recreation volunteers also work with agencies like Boys & Girls Club, Emerald Youth, YMCA and YWCA.
For more information, please contact the Sports and Recreation program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Women’s Issues is to allow UT students the opportunity to focus on issues facing women and single-parent families. Volunteers spend time at abuse shelters, the Florence Crittenton Agency, Knoxville Area Rescue Mission (KARM) and with various homeless shelters dedicated to women and children. Student volunteers also coordinate toy and toiletry drives, make blankets for shelters and spread the word about women-focused speakers and events on campus.
For more information, please contact the Women’s Issues program coordinators.
The mission of the TeamVOLS: Youth Outreach is to allow UT students the opportunity to work with children at the pre-school and elementary school, middle school and high school levels. Volunteers have the chance to mentor and tutor the youth of Knoxville. Student volunteers can also go play with, read to, mentor or just hang out with Knoxville-area youth at any of the 10 local Boys and Girls clubs.
For more information about other opportunities, please contact the Youth Outreach program coordinators.
The intended purpose, or mission, of the alternative break program is to engage students in meaningful and collaborative community service. The program’s purpose is to increase awareness of social issues and strengthen the communities in which they serve as well as foster a strong sense of community among trip participants and to the university as a whole. Past destinations have included Philadelphia, PA; Dayton, OH; Washington D.C.; New York, NY; Charleston, SC; Williamsburg, VA; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA and many others.
Alternative Fall Break (AFB) applications will be available online Wed. August 17 – Fri. August 26, 2011. AFB 2011 will be Thurs. Sept. 29-Sun. Oct. 2, 2011.
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) applications will be available online Wed. January 11- Fri. January 20, 2012. ASB 2012 will be Sun. March 18-Sat. March 24, 2012.
For more information, please contact the Alternative Break program coordinators.
April 23 - August 24, 2012 (activities.utk.edu)
May 1 - August 31, 2012 (UC Concourse Gallery)
Student Activities Office
305 University Center
1502 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-4800
Phone: (865) 974-5455
Fax: (865) 974-9252
Office Hours: M-F » 8AM-5PM
