Student-Led Service

Student leadership in service is central to the work of Simmons Community Engagement.

Today, more than 40 programs and initiatives connect Simmons with our neighbors, including schools, community centers, non-proﬁt organizations, and government agencies. The care we take in listening to the needs of each organization allows us to match our resources and expertise, and develop strong, reciprocal partnerships. This collaborative approach to community service has earned Simmons a reputation as an excellent neighbor.

Since 2008, Simmons has been included on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, we're among the top volunteer-producing colleges and universities with the Peace Corps, and we use more than 25% of federal work-study financial aid grants in the community.

Opportunities for Students

Supported by student leaders, university staff and community partners, Simmons students work in teams through the year to address real world challenges and develop valuable skills and experience.

Nearly 200 students in the programs below earn their Federal Work-Study through the community service work-study program. Federal Work-Study is part of many Simmons financial aid awards.

America Learns

America Learns is a tutoring program that provides one-on-one support to help students build a strong foundation in literacy and mathematics through engaging play and exciting activities.

Education Sparks

Education Sparks is a tutoring and mentoring program that supplements the classroom education by creating enriching interdisciplinary activities that allow for exploration of a variety of themes through collaborative and inquiry-based projects.

Girls Preparing to Succeed

Girls Preparing to Succeed (GPS) is a mentoring program that provides young women the opportunity to strengthen their self-esteem while building honesty and trust through organized activities, field trips, and group discussions with university student mentors.

To apply to any of these programs, download the 2018-2019 Community Service Opportunities or pick up an application in the Scott/Ross Center in E304. Applications for the 2018-2019 academic year are now open.

In addition to our signature initiatives, Simmons has partnerships with a number of nonprofit organizations. These partnerships include:

Big Sister Boston ignites girls' passion and power to succeed through positive mentoring relationships with women and enrichment programs that support girls' healthy development. Join other Simmons students serving girls at the J.F.K. Elementary School in Jamaica Plain who are getting #Girls2Great simply by having fun, being themselves, and making a difference in a girl's life. To apply, visit Big Sister Boston and submit an inquiry form.

Be a Teaching Woman with Girls' LEAP! Teaching women assistant teach in at least one program per semester (about 3 hours per week); organize and/or participate in on-campus outreach and awareness events to promote awareness of violence against girls and women in the community; and attend weekly, on campus meetings at one of our university chapters for curriculum review, as well as reflection and discussion on social justice issues such as race, gender, and violence. For more information, visit Girls LEAP! and stop by MCB E304 for an application.

With Strong Women, Strong Girls, committed university women, trained as mentors, utilize a research-based curriculum that incorporates the study of contemporary and historic female role models, skill-building activities, and strong relationships with mentors and peers to work with the girls, to: (1) Develop leadership skills and (2) Build strong community of peers and leaders For more information, visit Strong Women, Strong Girls and stop by MCB E304 for an application.

The Boston Teachers Union School (BTU) is a teacher-run, K-8 school in Forest Hills, dedicated to the individualized attention and academic excellence for all students. To achieve their mission, the BTU is looking for tutors in a variety of academic areas and grades. Opportunities are also available with the new 826 Writers Room! For more information, email Lindsey Chaves, BTU Lead Teacher, For information about 826 Boston, visit their website.

Jumpstart is working towards the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Students join this AmeriCorps program for both semesters of the academic year; they are placed on a team and go into the classroom twice a week to implement a research-based and proven curriculum that develops children's language, literacy, and social emotional skills to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond! For more information and the Jumpstart application, visit the website.

Simmons Builds is a team of 15 students and staff who work together throughout the year culminating in a week with Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge program over spring break. Previous trip destinations include Clemson, SC, Valdosta, GA, Thibodaux, LA, and Laredo, TX. The week is spent working and learning with a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate site, and each trip is different. Team members have built and raised walls on a new house, completed landscaping, laid hardwood flooring, insulated walls, and primed and painted! The trip is student-led and supported through fundraising efforts. To make the trip accessible, members make a small deposit of $75 and the rest of the funds are raised by the team.

Simmons Builds changes the students who participate in this experience, the families we work with, and the Simmons community we return to.