Here are a few suggestions of what would be considered individual volunteer hours. Your hours DO NOT have to be chosen from the following list, these are merely suggestions. If you have any questions regarding if something can be used as volunteer hours or have any ideas of your own to add to the page, please contact either Shea Silhan or Jason Van Duzee II here.

Be sure to follow @ulgetinvolved and @ullafayette on Instagram to hear about different organizations and events happening on and around campus!

 

UL LIFE Program Mentor

The UL LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Program is a highly personalized program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. UL LIFE utilizes three types of mentors: academic/classroom mentors, internship mentors, and social mentors. Academic and internship mentors can be paid positions or volunteer! Social mentors are volunteer only. Mentors must apply every semester and are required to attend a training prior the start of the semester. 

For more information about the program and how to be a mentor, check out their social media:

Website: https://education.louisiana.edu/academic-programs/ul-life-program

Instagram: @ullifeprogram and @ulleadinglife

Facebook: UL LIFE Program

 

Healing House

Healing House is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support and education for grieving children, their caregivers, and the Acadiana community. Groups at Healing House are conducted by volunteer facilitators who are trained to observe, listen, and respond to children who are grieving. Facilitators must be at least 21 years of age and be willing to commit to two afternoons or evenings a month during the school year. Volunteer training is offered three times a year, usually during the Spring, Summer and Fall and is conducted over a two- or three-day period.

Healing House Website: https://www.healing-house.org/ 

Volunteer Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXukn9fziC_QRlS_FhuGopeVqzYQ_h1Q8U7L7j3_UjSuvp1A/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

 

Hospice

Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering. PPS has worked closely with both Hospice of Acadiana and Bridgeway Healthcare and Hospice in the past! We have a number of wonderful Hospice organizations in the Acadiana area that are always looking for volunteers. Here are links to the volunteer applications for several of them:

Hospice of Acadiana: https://hospiceacadiana.com/volunteers/volunteers

Bridgeway Healthcare and Hospice: https://bridgewayhospice.net/volunteers

Heart of Hospice: https://lhcgroup.com/become-a-hospice-volunteer/

The Carpenter House: https://www.thecarpenterhealthnetwork.com/about-us/volunteer-services/

Grace Hospice and Palliative Care: https://www.ghospice.com/volunteer.html

 

Local Hospitals

Both Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes take volunteers! Volunteering at a hospital can be a great way to get your foot in the door for possible paid job opportunities and learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at hospitals. Here are the links to their respective volunteer applications:

Ochsner Lafayette General: https://ochsnerlg.org/careers/volunteer

Our Lady of Lourdes: https://lourdesrmc.com/ways-to-give/volunteer 

 

The Big Event 

Held every Spring, The Big Event gives UL Lafayette students the opportunity to volunteer in their community in their own way. Through a variety of service projects, students gain a sense of citizenship and social responsibility, all while promoting a Ragin' Cajun spirit. PPS typically has it’s own team registered, but you can also sign up on an individual basis. 

Instagram: @ulbigevent

Facebook: The Big Event at UL Lafayette 

 

Louisiana Lions Camp

Louisiana Lion’s Camp is a non-profit organization that provides a free summer camp experience for a variety of special needs youth from across Louisiana. Being on staff entails working 6 weeks in Anacoco with one week of training and 5 weeks with different groups of kids. Being on the counseling staff is a great experience for anyone interested in education, healthcare, and a variety of other career pathways as well as those students who are passionate about service and community involvement.

Working on staff is a paid position and includes free room and board for the summer. All college students also have the opportunity to apply for scholarships during the summer, and they do a very good job of ensuring that everyone who applies for scholarships here at camp has a good chance of receiving one at the end of the summer.

Website: https://lionscamp.org/

Facebook: Louisiana Lions Camp 

 

Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp

MDA Summer Camp is a great, weeklong volunteer opportunity. As a volunteer, you will be a camper’s “buddy” for the week as you participate in adaptive camp experiences, games, dances, meal time and more. You also will take on the role of 24-hour caregiver, friend and confidence-builder. It’s a great experience to learn more about muscular dystrophy and related disorders, as well as what it looks like to live as an individual with physical disabilities and to act as a caregiver for someone with disabilities. 

Volunteer Application: https://www.mda.org/summer-camp/volunteer 

 

Academic Mentoring Matters

Academic Mentoring Matters is a program within the college of sciences in which students taking certain science courses can be tutored one-on-one by students who have already taken these classes and earned an "A." All mentors volunteer 2 hours a week to be available to any students taking a number of courses in Biology and Chemistry. You can reach out to each programs respective faculty advisor if you’d like to become a mentor:

Biology - Dr. Brandon Waltz - brandon.waltz@louisiana.edu

Chemistry - Dr. Ryan Simon - ryan.simon@louisiana.edu

Biology Mentoring Matters Instagram: @biology_mentors_

Chemistry Mentoring Matters Instagram: @chemistry_mentors_

 

UL Student Orientation Staff

Student Orientation Staff is a premiere student leadership group at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Selection to staff is extremely competitive, and the staff represents the best and brightest of our university. The Student Orientation Staff works to facilitate our Orientation programs, welcoming over 5,500 new students & parents to campus each year and volunteering over 15,000 cumulative hours each summer.

Members of the Student Orientation Staff participate in leadership development training during the spring semester, designed to prepare them for their role as a member of the team and enhance their personal and team leadership skills. SOS Members develop skills in group problem solving, conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, program planning, team building and gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Website: https://orientation.louisiana.edu/about-us/join-our-team

Instagram: @ulstudent orientation 

 

UL SOUL Camp Staff

SOUL Camp is a unique experiential transition program that supplements New Student Orientation.  Camp is designed to provide new students with the skills and networks to help them develop leadership skills and Ragin' Cajun spirit.  Through a combination of a community service project, educational speakers, social activities, interaction with faculty, staff, and current student mentors, team building, and much more, students leave camp prepared to be an engaged member of our campus community.

Instagram: @soulcampul

 

Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana (DSAA)

The Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana provides support to persons with Down syndrome, their families, and friends through networking, promotion of positive public awareness, information sharing, and advocacy. Throughout the year, DSAA holds several events that require volunteers including a Buddy Walk, World Down Syndrome Awareness Day Carnival, and Family Fun Day. 

Website: https://www.dsaa.info/ 

Volunteer Form: https://www.dsaa.info/get_involved/volunteer.html

Facebook: Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana

 

DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana

The D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana, a special needs non-profit organization, was incorporated in 2007 to help individuals with special needs, their families and to educate the public of their needs and wants. They are always holding events and in need of volunteers! They also typically have summer camp programs that require volunteers. 

Website: https://www.dreamsfoundationaca.org/

Volunteer Form: https://www.dreamsfoundationaca.org/volunteers-2/ 

Facebook: D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana

 

Autism Society of Acadiana

The Autism Society of Acadiana is a local support organization for those affected by autism. The organization provides opportunities for members to find community and distributes information and resources to benefit their members. The Autism Society of Acadiana holds social events throughout the year as well as a fall and spring fundraiser. If you are interested in volunteering, they ask that you contact them via email or phone!

Website: https://acadianaautism.com/

Email: contact@acadianaautism.org

Phone: (337) 235-4425

Facebook: Autism Society of Acadiana

 

Big Brother Big Sisters of Acadiana

By becoming a Big at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana, you could help change the future of a kid – and probably change yours too! Mentoring a kid on a one-to-one basis is one of the most impactful volunteer experiences you can have.

Website: https://www.acadianabigs.com/ 

Volunteer Application: https://www.acadianabigs.com/volunteer/ 

Facebook: Big Brothers Big Sister of Acadiana