Service Areas
Your passions = your purpose. Explore the ways you can get involved:
Environment & Sustainability
Passionate about the planet? Join other Lawrentians in clean energy advocacy, environmental justice efforts, or animal welfare projects. Whether you're lobbying for climate policy or helping at the humane society, you'll make a real-world impact.
▶️ Think: Eco-warriors, community gardens, animal shelters.
Arts & Education
Use your creativity and knowledge to bridge opportunity gaps in education and arts access. We team up with awesome partners like the Boys & Girls Club and local schools to bring learning to life.
▶️ Think: tutoring, after-school arts programs, music mentoring.
Child Advocacy
Every kid deserves a champion. This area dives into the needs and experiences of youth in our community. Help empower kids through mentorship, enrichment activities, and advocacy for safer, healthier childhoods.
▶️ Think: story time, mentoring, play-based learning.
Civics & Society
Ready to be the change? This service area is all about civic engagement and social justice. Work alongside local organizers, join nonpartisan voter efforts, and explore the real mechanics of change-making.
▶️ Think: voter drives, grassroots movements, policy action.
Fair Housing & Hunger
Food and shelter are basic rights. Help tackle housing insecurity and food injustice by partnering with shelters, pantries, and local advocacy groups working to build a safer, more equitable Fox Valley.
▶️ Think: meal prepping, food banks, community housing coalitions.
Public Health & Wellness
Support the physical and mental health of our neighbors. Work with groups like NAMI, ThedaCare, and hospice organizations to promote wellness and provide compassionate care.
▶️ Think: suicide prevention, elder care, holistic health education.
Signature Programs
Want a deeper dive into service and leadership? These programs are where impact meets community:
First of Many
Mentor local high school students as they explore the college journey. Each Winter Term, volunteers guide First-Gen youth through topics like FAFSA, applications, and campus life.
🕒 1 hour/week | 8 weeks of impact + connection
Note: Youth Protection Training & background check required.
👉 Mentor Interest Application
LARY Buddy Mentoring
Lawrence Action Reaching Youth (LARY) Buddy program is a youth mentoring program. Become a buddy to a student at Edison Elementary and make a lasting impact! You’ll provide academic, social, and emotional support — in class, on the playground, or even on mini field trips.
🕒 ~2 hours/week | YPT + background check required
👉 Email to Learn More
VITAL Tutoring Program
Support K-12 learners through academic tutoring in the Appleton Area School District. We’ll match you with a student and provide resources to help them thrive.
🕒 1–2 hours/week | YPT + background check required
👉 Apply to Be a Tutor
👉 Request a Tutor (Parents)
Meet the Program Coordinators
The Center for Community Engagement & Social Change (CCE) is proud to have a dedicated team of student leaders who coordinate and support key service areas across Lawrence University and the greater Fox Cities. These student coordinators help manage partnerships, recruit volunteers, and implement meaningful programs that connect Lawrence students with our local community. Get to know the coordinators behind our signature programs and community engagement initiatives:
- Valeria Pavon-Trujeque – First of Many Coordinator
The First of Many Coordinator oversees a mentorship program that connects Lawrence first-generation college students with local high school students who aspire to be the first in their families to attend college. This position recruits, trains, and supports Lawrence mentors; works with high schools and community partners to create and support mentor-mentee matches; and coordinates workshops, college visits, and other activities that encourage and prepare high school students for higher education. The coordinator also tracks participation and helps assess the program’s impact. - Allie Kratochvil – Community Partner Coordinator
The Community Partner Coordinator builds and maintains relationships with local organizations while connecting Lawrence students with meaningful community engagement opportunities. This position supports community-based programs and initiatives, including First of Many and Downtown Deals, promotes volunteer and engagement opportunities to students, coordinates events with community partners, and helps track participation and program outcomes. The role also provides general support for Center for Community Engagement programs and office operations. - Maddie Bublik – Signature Program Coordinator
The Signature Program Coordinator oversees two of the Center for Community Engagement’s signature youth programs, VITAL (Volunteers in Tutoring at Lawrence) and LARY Buddy (Lawrence Assistance Reaching Youth). This position works closely with the Appleton Area School District to recruit, train, and support Lawrence student tutors and mentors; coordinate student matches with local youth; and maintain communication with school staff, families, and program participants. The coordinator also plans program activities, tracks participation and outcomes, and helps ensure both programs provide meaningful and effective academic and mentorship support.
