Building Community Through Service
Each semester, ºÚÁÏÍø911 health professions students take part in community-based service learning that brings classroom lessons to life. Through projects promoting wellness and connection — from chair yoga at the Cumberland County Jail to harm reduction kits for residents reentering their communities — you’ll gain hands-on experience, build empathy, and prepare to meet real-world public health challenges.
Discover Service Learning Opportunities
At ºÚÁÏÍø911, learning extends beyond the classroom. Through Service Learning, you work alongside community partners, classmates, faculty, and professional staff to address real community needs and build meaningful connections throughout Maine.
Whether you’re interested in learning more about food insecurity, health equity, older adults, disability advocacy, corrections medicine, suicide prevention, or creating your own service opportunity, there are many ways to get involved.
Food Insecurity Support
Engage in meaningful service experiences that address food insecurity and promote community well-being across Maine. Through hands-on opportunities like meal packing, sandwich making, snack kit assembly, and more, you’ll support individuals and families while gaining a deeper understanding of the connection between nutrition, health, and community care.
Meals for Maine
Come together with hundreds of volunteers for a fast-paced evening of service as we package nutritious, non-perishable meals for Mainers experiencing food insecurity. This high-energy event gives you the opportunity to work as a team while making an impact that reaches communities across Maine.
Make It/Take It
Roll up your sleeves and join classmates in preparing PB&J sandwiches for people experiencing homelessness in the Portland community. This hands-on service opportunity combines teamwork, conversation, and a simple act of care that meets an immediate community need.
Hope Squad Maine
Small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. You’ll pack snack kits and write personal notes for people experiencing homelessness in our community, creating both practical support and a reminder that someone cares.
The Dempsey Center
Prepare, share, and connect. You’ll prepare a healthy meal, then gather around the table with members of the Dempsey Community. The experience also includes a tour and an opportunity to learn more about the people and services within the community.
Corrections Medicine Services
Explore healthcare beyond traditional clinical environments through service-learning opportunities within Maine’s correctional system. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of health equity, incarceration, and community wellness while learning alongside correctional professionals and your peers.
Maine Department of Corrections
Learn about Maine’s carceral system by engaging with officers and medical staff, taking a special access tour, and participating in wellness activities with the residents.
Cumberland County Jail
Connect with Older Adults
Foster meaningful intergenerational connections through service-learning opportunities with older adults. You’ll engage in social, recreational, and wellness-focused activities that promote companionship, communication, and well-being.
Build Meaningful Relationships
You’ll connect with older adults through activities such as games, crafts, books, wellness programs, and shared meals. These experiences offer opportunities to learn from community members while building communication, connection, and empathy.
There are many opportunities each semester for you to interact with older adults living in independent apartments at Westbrook Housing, including game nights; crafts and chats; book clubs; and wellness fairs.
Through this partnership, you’re able to enjoy dinner and/or arts and crafts, conversations, stories, and companionship with residents in this local long-term care facility.
Expand Your Impact and Student Partnerships
Explore service opportunities that match your passions, goals, and interests. From community-based volunteering and inclusive recreation to student leadership and educational programs, there are countless ways to deepen your learning while making a positive impact.
Find meaningful ways to get involved
Explore volunteer opportunities in the community that connect with your interests, values, and future career.
Discover the power of movement, recreation, and inclusion. You can support community members with disabilities through adaptive recreation experiences such as Special Surfers and IcanBike.
Our office provides unique opportunities to cover topics deeper than you’ll get in the classroom, such as Suicide Prevention and Reproductive Health among other pressing public health issues. You can extend your learning on these topics through additional service projects and events.
Have a cause you're passionate about? Service learning doesn’t have to start with a scheduled event, we can provide you with a list of independent opportunities.
Student Partnerships
Service learning isn’t just something you participate in, it’s something you can help create. As a ºÚÁÏÍø911 student, you can become a Service Learning Liaison, and our office can partner with clubs and organizations to help develop meaningful community connections and experiences.
Become a connection point between your program, classmates, and the community. Liaisons help share service opportunities and encourage their peers to get involved.
Bring your club or organization into the community. The Office of Service Learning can help student groups identify meaningful service opportunities and develop partnerships that align with their interests and goals.