Service-learning happens at a wide range of organizations, agencies, and institutions throughout the Bloomington and Monroe County community. Partnerships span nonprofit, public, and at times the private sector, supporting service providers, education, art, and municipal units. Students join in direct service at human and social service agencies, or work behind the scenes on projects like drafting business plans, supporting development efforts, and coordinating events. While some agencies have a one-time need, others have a lasting need that results in recurring partnerships each academic year or semester.
Those community partners who have demonstrated consistent engagement with service-learning classes that proves beneficial to both their work and the students may become the host to an Advocate for Community Engagement (ACE), who is on site to facilitate and support service-learning. To learn more about ACEs, visit our ACE Program page.
To learn more about the agencies where ACEs are currently placed, explore the list below. Faculty and instructors teaching or designing service-learning courses can use these descriptions to learn which agencies best suit their classes, or as a starting point to brainstorm where and how they would like to engage with the community. Service requirements and agency and ACE contact information are included in each profile. ACEs work during the regular academic year and will reply most reliably to e-mails during that time.
In addition to monitoring the needs of our ACE community partners, the Community Engagement Coordinator maintains an ongoing list of community-identified needs with an eye on developing opportunities to connect those to service-learning courses as they emerge. If you are a community partner that would like support in accomplishing your work and meeting your needs, contact Jess Tang, the Program's Community Engagement Coordinator, to see how service-learning could fit into your agency.
Beacon is a vital, leading, compassionate organization which aides and empowers those experiencing need with a full range of support services to reduce hunger, poverty, and homelessness in communities we serve. Beacon includes Shalom day shelter, A Friend’s Place overnight shelter, a winter shelter that opened to support housing in early 2021, and additional programming. The bulk of our service-learners complete their service at Shalom, a safe, daytime resource center for those who are experiencing homelessness or poverty. Shalom provides breakfast and lunch M–F as well as referrals, social service contacts, job help, toiletries, baby supplies, clothes, groceries, shower, laundry facilities, and Internet access. Service-learners can assist as kitchen or hospitality volunteers.
Requirements: General orientation for all volunteers, mandatory hospitality volunteer training and criminal history check in the hospitality role. Please visit our website, https://beaconinc.org/, and navigate to the volunteer section, located under How You Can Help for more information. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 620 S. Walnut, Bloomington, IN 47401
Bus: Route 1 S Walnut / Clear Creek Shopping Center & Route 7
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington develops youth to become productive, caring, responsible citizens with a special concern for those most in need. Service-learners work with youth in after school activities including the art, homework help, teen programs, technology, sports and recreation.
Lincoln Street Unit
Requirements: 3 online trainings, orientation and criminal background check, copy of a photo ID. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 311 S Lincoln St, Bloomington, IN 47401
Bus: All Bloomington Transit Bus Routes (close to Downtown Transit Center)
Requirements: 3 online trainings, orientation and criminal background check, copy of a photo ID. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Requirements: 3 online trainings, orientation and criminal background check, copy of a photo ID. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 8045 W. State Road 46, Ellettsville, IN 47429
Bus: No nearby bus route. Please drive, arrange carpooling, or consider Rural Transit (not affiliated with Bloomington Transit).
The Benjamin Banneker Community Center (part of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation) offers a wide variety of recreational activities for children and families. Service-learners help with daily activities, seasonal events, family-focused sports programs, and structured after school programming. The Center's amenities include a full size gymnasium, library, kitchen, and various other recreation areas.
Requirements: Orientation and local criminal background check. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 930 W. Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47404
The mission of Bloomington Parks and Recreation is to provide essential services, facilities and programs necessary for the positive development and well-being of the community through the provision of parks, greenways, trails and recreational facilities while working in cooperation with other service providers in the community in order to maximize all available resources.
Requirements: Orientation and local criminal background check. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: Suite 250 401 N Morton St., Bloomington, IN 47404
Bus: Route 3 Highland Village / Curry Pike and Route 6L
Since its founding in 1974, Harmony School has been dedicated to the historic purpose of schooling: preparing young people to participate thoughtfully and actively in our democratic society. Harmony School provides a setting in which teachers, students, researchers, administrators, parents, and community members come together to develop creative yet sensible educational theories, practices, and materials.
Requirements: Orientation. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 909 East 2nd Street Bloomington, IN 47401
Hilltop Garden & Nature Center was first established by IU Biology Professor, Barbara Shalucha in 1948. Hilltop has primarily focused on youth gardening, but has expanded its reach throughout the University and surrounding community to provide opportunities to learn about different gardening practices and connecting with nature. Hilltop provides many educational opportunities for students through various internships and work study programs. Hilltop has also provided gardening classes for adults and volunteer opportunities. Visitors are always welcome at Hilltop to tour our demonstration gardens, enjoy nature or find a good idea for their garden.
Requirements: Orientation. Local criminal background check only if service-learning students are working with groups of children regularly. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank collects, stores, and distributes nutritious food products to nonprofit organizations, which provide free feeding programs that serve both ill and needy families and individuals in Monroe, Martin, Owen, Orange, Brown, and Lawrence Counties in Central Indiana.
Requirements: Brief orientation; wear closed-toed shoes and dress for weather. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 2333 Industrial Park Dr., Bloomington, IN 47402
Bus: No nearby bus route. Please find transportation or call to arrange carpooling.
LIFEDesigns is a comprehensive resource for people with disabilities and their families in south central Indiana. We offer services for every stage of life. We aim to facilitate active citizenship, fulfilling relationships, and rewarding employment through inclusive communities that foster dignity and respect.
Requirements: Orientation and a waiver for a photo release and a form to work with children. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: LIFEDesigns Office, 200 East Winslow Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Bus: Route 1 S. Walnut/Clear Creek Shopping Center & Route 7
Jill’s House provides residential and day services for seniors and intergenerational pre-school for children. We focus on knowing people well to provide the just right amount of assistance; and connecting people to meaningful activities. The mission of Jill’s House is to provide strength, comfort and joy to all who enter. This is best accomplished with the help of many, including families, care partners, friends and volunteers. Volunteers provide a friendly connection to our community, church and familiar activities.
Requirements:On-site orientation, volunteer paperwork. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location:751 E. Tamarack TrailBloomington, IN 47408
Bus: No nearby bus route. Please find transportation or call to arrange carpooling.
Middle Way House provides services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. We offer emergency shelter for battered women and their dependent children, as well as crisis intervention services, referrals, and support on our 24 hour crisis line (812) 336-0846. Additional services supported by volunteer work include legal advocacy, domestic and sexual violence support group, on-scene advocacy, and economic development opportunities.
The Rise (Middle Way's Transitional Housing Program)
The Rise is a service enriched transitional housing program for families headed by women who have experienced domestic violence and homelessness. On-site programs for families include adult tutoring, childcare, youth empowerment programming, mother's support group, and more.
Requirement: Attend 8-hour training session. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 318 S Washington St, Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone: (812) 337-4510
Bus: Middle Way House and the Rise are close to downtown and on the city bus line. They are walking distance from the Downtown Transit Center at 3rd and Walnut.
Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) strengthens our community and enriches lives by providing equitable and impartial access to information and opportunities to read, learn, connect, and create. In addition to its collection of books, movies, and music, MCPL offers a wide range of programming for all ages, literacy and English as a new language support services, technological resources, educational opportunities, and more. The goals of the Library include:
Provide free and equitable access to information, materials, and services
Support reading, lifelong learning, technological literacy, and other essential life skills
Facilitate and promote inclusive, diverse, and respectful dialogue in safe and welcoming spaces
Adapt and respond to community and partner needs
MCPL - The Ground Floor
Monroe County Public Library houses a teen space, branded The Ground Floor, for library users from 12–19 years old. The Ground Floor facilitates teen leadership, creativity, digital literacy, quiet study, and recreation.
Requirements: Orientation required within the first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408
Bus: Routes 1, 3 College Mall / East 3rd Street, 4 High Street / Sherwood Oaks, 5
The Office of English Language Learning strives to help students develop academic English skills for success in a learning environment that values individual, cultural differences and is tailored to each student's English language proficiency level. While addressing academic standards, students have regular opportunities to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The MCCSC also offers adult ESL classes to help parents and new community members feel comfortable in their new home. Extra help for English learners and their families is available through the Bloomington community as well.
Requirements: Orientation. Local criminal background check. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 315 E. North Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401
Fairview Artful Learning School staff, students, and families, take collective responsibility for providing a respectful, rigorous and engaging learning environment where the artistic process, along with inquiry and collaboration are used to promote life long learning and high levels of achievement for all students.
Requirements: Orientation and local criminal background check. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location:500 W. 7th St., Bloomington, IN 47404
Bus: Route 2 W 11th St via Showers Complex & Route 3 Highland Village / Curry Pike
Templeton Elementary is located in the heart of Bloomington, Indiana and is part of the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC). Templeton serves students ages 3-13 (preschool-grade 6) in brain-compatible, multi-age, and single grade classroom structures that are focused on meeting the needs of all children with a global minded focus. The Templeton Community is committed to the development of inquiring, knowledgeable, caring and globally minded lifelong learners who positively impact our world.
Requirements: Orientation and local criminal background check. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location:1400 Brenda Lane, Bloomington, IN 47401
Bus route: Route 1 (South Walnut/Clear Creek); Route 7 (Henderson/Walnut Express)
Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) has been providing social services in Monroe County since 1939. MCUM is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization (EIN # 35-1313090) that provides affordable childcare for working families and basic needs assistance to Monroe County residents in crisis. MCUM receives support in many forms from more than 40 local faith communities, in addition to support from a wide variety of other sources, but our programs do not include a religious component.
Requirements: Orientation and local criminal background check for daycare center. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 827 West 14th Court, Bloomington, IN 47404
PALS is a nonprofit adaptive riding center located in Bloomington, IN. We provide equine-assisted services to people with disabilities, veterans, senior citizens, and at-risk youth. The therapeutic power of the horse can offer many physical, emotional, and social benefits for a diverse population. As a PATH Intl. Premier-Accredited center, all programs are designed to be individualized and safe.
Requirements: Orientation. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location:7644 W Elwren Road Bloomington, IN 47403
Bus:No nearby bus route. Please find transportation or call to arrange carpooling.
A Thriving Connections Team is a supportive friendship across class lines, made up of one Leader who is living on a low-income and three or four Allies who are living on a middle-class income. A Team typically meets once or twice a month to work toward achieving the Leader's plans for moving out of poverty.
Requirements: Orientation. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 2421 North Smith Pike, Bloomington, IN
Bus: No nearby bus route. Most opportunities are virtual.
SCCAP Head Start has been in existence since 1965 and is a federally funded, child development program dedicated to providing low-income families with a quality preschool education. Head Start is a family centered child development program whose mission is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. SCCAP Head Start serves over 300 children and families in Monroe County. SCCAP Head Start offers services from prenatal up through age 5, at 10 different sites around the county.
Requirements: Application, criminal background check, proof of Covid vaccination. Fingerprint background check and current physical and TB test if more than 8 hours per month. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 1502 W. 15th St., Bloomington, IN 47404, corner of 15th & Lindbergh
Stone Belt Arc is a nonprofit organization that provides various support services for people with intellectual disabilities. Such support services range from support in an individuals home and community life, employment exploration and support, employment fundamentals day program, mental health clinic supports, spiritual supports, and more! Our mission states: We believe in the uniqueness, worth, and right to self-determination of every individual. Therefore, it is our mission, in partnership with the community, to prepare, empower, and support people with developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the life of the community.
Requirements: Orientation. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
WonderLab provides opportunities for people of all ages, especially children, to experience the wonder and excitement of science through hands-on exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, foster lifelong learning and explore connections to the arts and everyday life.
Requirements: Orientation. Orientation required within first four weeks of the semester.
Location: 308 W. Fourth Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47404
Bus: Route 3 College Mall / East 3rd Street & Route 4 Bloomfield Rd / Heatherwood
