The Office of Community Engagement offers a variety of direct service projects and volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Whether you want to volunteer occasionally or commit to regular service hours, the OCE will connect you to a position that fits your schedule and interests. Please contact the office if you have an idea for a project or want to help with an existing program listed below.

We organize our large number of volunteer options into three areas, each with a student leader.

Barlow Park Elementary School

• Barlow Park Elementary school is for children entering Pre-Kindergarten through Second grade. Volunteers regularly assist with the B.R.A.V.E. afterschool program. B.R.A.V.E. stands for Building Resiliency, Assets and Values in Everyone. B.R.A.V.E. provides educational, social, health and recreational programming in a collaborative manner to all members of the community in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. Programming includes academic study help, learning enrichment and parenting programs. Volunteers are always needed in the afternoons from Monday through Thursday.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

• Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-on-one relationships with measurable impact. This is accomplished through developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Become a Big for a child in the area or work with the school-based mentoring program by volunteering over your lunch break.

Crossroads Charter School

• Crossroads charter school is a new school in Ripon this year that works with at risk teens. Located in a building adjacent to campus, Crossroads seeks mentors for its students. Opportunities are very individualized, including playing basketball, participating in art or service projects, and teaching music and other areas.

First Book

• First Book is a national nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The primary goal of First Book is to work with existing literacy programs to distribute new books to children who, for economic reasons, have little or no access to books. Volunteers working through the Office of Community Engagement receive books from First Book which are then distributed to many of our Community Partners. Books have been distributed during Literacy week and TV turn-off week, as well as to our local libraries.

Murray Park Elementary School

• Murray Park Elementary School is for children entering 3rd through 5th grades. Volunteers regularly assist with the B.R.A.V.E. afterschool program. B.R.A.V.E. stands for Building Resiliency, Assets and Values in Everyone. B.R.A.V.E. provides educational, social, health and recreational programming in a collaborative manner to all members of the community in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. Programming includes academic study help, learning enrichment and parenting programs. Volunteers are always needed in the afternoons from Monday through Thursday.

Ripon High School

• In the fall of 2008, the STRIPES Tutoring Program made its debut at Ripon High School. The tutoring program connects Ripon College students to Ripon High School students who are at risk of failing a course required for high school graduation. Tutors meet with their tutee once per week for one hour. The date and time are flexible.

Ripon Middle School

• Ripon Middle School hosts a B.R.A.V.E. afterschool program. B.R.A.V.E. stands for Building Resiliency, Assets and Values in Everyone. B.R.A.V.E. provides educational, social, health and recreational programming in a collaborative manner to all members of the community in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. Programming includes academic study help, learning enrichment and parenting programs. Volunteers are always needed in the afternoons from Monday through Thursday. Ripon Middle School also participates in the OCE's annual Think College Early program that gets low-income students taking the right courses in high school so they can be accepted into college.

Ripon Public Library

• The Ripon Public Library is located one block north of downtown Ripon and offers programs for infants, children, and adults. Volunteer tasks are varied and include recycling old books and coding books that are part of the Accelerated Reader Program. Volunteers are needed to fulfill regular assignments as well as help with special programs and events.

American House

• American House is an assisted living facility located in downtown Ripon. Volunteers are needed to help plan activities for residents and participate in social events throughout the year. Past events include cooking with the residents, playing games, and watching movies.

Berlin Senior Center

• The Berlin Senior Center likes to boast that they are an “Active Center.” Volunteers are needed to help plan events for residents and participate in social events throughout the year. The Berlin Senior Center would also appreciate volunteers to teach enrichment classes or participate in field trips to Ripon College to sit in on some classes.

Community Blood Center

• The Community Blood Center hosts blood drives on campus and needs volunteers to assist with promotion and organization of these events.

Creative Care Options

• Creative Care Options is a government department that works with people who have developmental and physical disabilities, along with the elderly. The main goal of Creative Care Options is to provide high quality care in a cost effective manner to maintain the independence of people who need assistance. The OCE works with Creative Care Options to plan activities in local group homes. Past events include bowling, craft projects, and cookouts.

Easter Seals

• Easter Seals is a non-profit agency that supports people living with autism and other disabilities so they can have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play. Volunteers regularly provide assistance at the Easter Seals Respite Camp in Wisconsin Dells and help staff a regional weekend program.

Fountain View Care Center

• Fountain View Care Center is an assisted living facility in Ripon that houses over 100 seniors. Residents keep active with activities such as cards, bingo, Wii games, Family Feud, Jeopardy, Happy Hour, movies, and crafts. Many of these events already occur on a regular basis and volunteers are needed to socialize and help residents participate in the activities.

Green Lake Area Animal Shelter (GLAAS)

• The Green Lake Area Animal Shelter is located just outside the town of Ripon. Volunteers are needed to help with regular responsibilities such as cleaning cages, walking dogs, and playing with the animals. GLAAS also holds an annual Lucky Dog Cat-sino Night to raise money for the shelter.

Maplecrest Manor

• Maplecrest Manor is an assisted living facility located in Ripon that houses approximately 35 residents. Maplecrest is interested in having volunteers help out at weekend activities such as Fall Festival and game days, where residents play games such as Wii, cards, and bingo. There are also opportunities for regular placement to help with daily activities or assisting residents with shopping trips to local stores.

Ripon Medical Center

• Ripon Medical Center is a total-access health care facility. Volunteer opportunities are still being established.

Ripon Red Cross Club

• The RRCC is a growing organization that promotes the education of community-wide preparedness. Volunteers are needed to help with events such as CPR classes, blood drives, and various fundraisers.

Russell Manor

• Russell Manor is an apartment complex that houses 130 local, low-income, senior citizens. There is a computer lab, game room, and garden onsite. Volunteers are needed to help plan and facilitate activities for the residents, including playing Wii games, training residents to use the computers, and coordinating social activities.

Tower View Villa

• Tower View Villa, located in Rosendale, is an assisted living facility. Volunteer opportunities include planning and participating in special events and weekend activities.