Programs

The Service-Learning Center offers a number of unique service programs throughout the school year. Students begin integration in service-learning on the first day of their first-year orientation with a program called StreetFest. During StreetFest all students spend a day serving and learning with a local Grand Rapids organization.

From there students can do projects connected to their academic coursework through Academically-Based Service-Learning, serve alongside fellow residents at their residence hall community partnership, participate in a week-long service-learning spring break trip, chaperone an athlete for Special Olympics, or stop by the Service-Learning Center to learn about individual service-learning opportunities.

Explore

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  Academically-based service-learning

  • Faculty members in almost every department at Calvin College integrate Academically-Based Service-Learning (ABSL) with the content of courses.

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  International service-learning

  • ISL opportunities develop distinctly in the context of each country and program goals, ranging from course-related ABSL, ethnographic study, or a career-related practicum. Students serve, study, and conduct research at a variety of community placements.

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  Residence hall community partnerships

  • Each residence hall has built a lasting relationship with a local agency. The partnership is facilitated by two sophomore residents called Community Partnership Coordinators (CPCs). Students and partner staff work closely to plan various activities and ensure that the needs and expectations of both groups are being met.

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  Spring break trips

  • Step fully into a subject area that you're interested in, whether that is disaster relief, intentional community, urban ministry, or restorative justice. Delve into a new community for a week and come back with a deepened perspective.

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  StreetFest

  • StreetFest is a one-time co-curricular service-learning opportunity that occurs during our first-year student orientation program, Quest. During StreetFest, we explore our call of doing God’s work in God’s world by joining over 60 community organizations in their work in the city of Grand Rapids.

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  Special Olympics

  • Every year Calvin hosts the Special Olympics Michigan Southwest Regional Spring Games. Over 400 athletes will come to our campus and compete in various athletic competitions including track and field and swimming. The winners from these games will go on to compete in the state championship.