Service is an integral piece of Boston College’s mission to form “men and women for others.” But with so many different volunteering opportunities, how do you know what type of service is the right fit for you? 

Here is your guide to four of the most popular service organizations on campus so you, too, can give back—and gain even more in the process.

4Boston

4Boston is BC’s largest weekly service organization, where volunteers serve four hours a week at a wide range of placement sites, including local schools, hospitals, shelters, and other social service centers.

The organization fosters meaningful relationships with the greater Boston community and engages students to reflect on spirituality, injustice, and inequality through weekly one-hour group reflections.

While 4Boston is grounded in Jesuit values, students of all religious backgrounds and those of no religious affiliation are welcome. Applications for this semester are no longer open, but keep an eye out for the application to reopen early next semester via the BC Campus Ministry website. 

Habitat for Humanity

BC’s campus chapter partners with Greater Boston Habitat for Humanity to assist in the construction of homes in local communities. Student volunteers gather on “build days” throughout the year to provide hands-on service and engage in weekly conversations about housing inequality.

The program also explores issues such as systemic poverty and racial injustice.

There is no formal application for this organization. Any BC student can participate by completing the registration form on the program’s webpage and attending weekly meetings.

BC BIGS

BC BIGS partners with Boston-area communities to provide a mentoring program that fosters connections between elementary-age children—called “Littles”—and BC students—their “Bigs.” 

The program offers an off-campus option, where volunteers meet with their Littles at nearby elementary schools once weekly, and an on-campus option, where Littles spend various Saturdays on BC’s campus with their Bigs.

For additional support, Bigs are assigned a family reflection group that meets biweekly to discuss the process and talk through any difficulties volunteers might be experiencing.

BC BIGS values one-on-one time between a Big and their Little. Taking on the role of mentor is not always easy, but the experience of making a difference in a child’s life is priceless. 

There is an application to join BC BIGS that can be found on the program’s webpage.

Eagle Volunteers

Eagle Volunteers provides a “high-impact, low-commitment” service opportunity for those looking for a more flexible service organization. 

The program focuses on supporting nearby elementary schools by aiding in school-day and after-school programs, offering assistance to teachers, and assisting children with homework. 

There is no formal application process for Eagle Volunteers—just visit their webpage and sign up for whatever times work best for you.