The NIU Student Volunteer Corps offers many opportunities for students who have extra time on their hands.

NIU Student Volunteer Corps Coordinator Trish Hoffman said, “The Student Volunteer Corps provides a complete listing of all volunteer opportunities on and off campus.” She said the group is affiliated with University Programming and Activities.

“I have gotten a lot of experience out of volunteering as well as personal satisfaction and growth out of the experiences I have had,” Hoffman said.

Student Volunteer Corps Coordinator Z. Ahmad said volunteers create the programs that are needed to meet a variety of needs.

“NIU Student Volunteer Corps provides volunteers with opportunities for a variety of volunteer opportunities,” he said.

Hoffman said, “We encourage students to volunteer 30 academic hours each year, which averages out to be about an hour for each week.”

“Next semester we will be holding a volunteer institute for students to get together and get interested in volunteer projects,” she said. “We provide many jobs around the community that include environmental work as well as working in the local domestic violence shelter.”

The volunteer resource center is open to all students, Hoffman said.

Carol Alvis, volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army, said they serve the needs of the community with help from volunteers.

“We always have a need for volunteers, especially during the months of November and December,” she said.

She said volunteers from the NIU Student Volunteer Corps work at the Salvation Army and they do a variety of jobs which can include anything from cleaning to distributing food to families in need.