Programs

The mission of Adopt-a-Grandparent is to create meaningful, one-on-one relationships with seniors in the Charlottesville community that will improve the quality of life of participants, both seniors and volunteers. We want to make sure the seniors in our community know how special they are to us!

Students represent elderly clients in negotiations, administrative hearings, and court proceedings on a variety of legal matters, including basic wills and powers of attorney, guardianships, consumer issues, Medicaid and Medicare benefits, nursing home regulation and quality of long-term care, elder abuse and neglect, and advance medical directives. Students develop practical skills by participating in client interviewing, counseling, and trial advocacy. Students may engage in policy analysis and advocacy work with partnering organizations including including the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), the Legal Aid Justice Center, the Virginia Elder Rights Coalition, and the Senior Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a student-run organization that conducts service projects during winter, spring, and summer break for University of Virginia students.

The Madison House Animals and the Environment Program works with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA where volunteers serve as Pet Pals. Activities include dog walking and socialization, cat care and socialization, vet clinic assistance, findraising, and special events.

The Asia Institute is an interdisciplinary organization comprised of the Center for South Asian Studies, the Tibet Center, and the East Asia Center of the University of Virginia that provides Asia-focused education and outreach to K-12 and the community.

The Big Sibling program seeks to develop long-term relationships of friendship and trust between community volunteers and children that live in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area.

Book Buddies is a one-on-one community volunteer reading program that plays an integral role in helping Charlottesville city schools ensure that students in elementary grades learn to read and write.

The Boosters Program places volunteers in classrooms to work with children from age four through sixth grade who need assistance with specific skills in a school setting.

Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a student-run program at the University of Virginia for refugee children resettled in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. BTG helps refugee youth develop the tools needed to obtain greater opportunities in US society through mentoring and tutoring services.

This clinic provides students the opportunity to assist in litigating a capital habeas case, and gain intensive experience handling certain phases of post-conviction litigation. The clinic is centered around cases assigned to the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center.