One of the unique features of USC is its commitment to service and its support of the surrounding communities.  Every year, students volunteer their time to become tutors or mentors, either individually or as part of official student organizations.  In addition, the Volunteer Center coordinates local, national, and international service programs such as the Alternative Spring Breaks and CAST.  The commitment depends on the individual student and the time he/she is willing to devote.

Volunteer Center
The USC Volunteer Center is dedicated to promoting volunteerism and service in the USC and greater Los Angeles communities.
The Volunteer Center is a primarily student-run program within the Division of Student Affairs that offers exciting opportunities for students, alumni, faculty, and staff to get involved with the community. Each year, the Volunteer Center organizes numerous service projects, identifies volunteer opportunities, and houses an extensive database of over 200 non-profits and other agencies that offer volunteer opportunities.

To learn more about the Volunteer Center, alternative Spring Break opportunities, and other services, visit their website at http://sait.usc.edu/volunteer/

Alternative Spring Break
In March of 1991, students and staff of the University of Southern California created Alternative Spring Break (ASB). It was their belief that students who participated in ASB would make a significant change in their lives as well as the community.

Since that time, Alternative Spring Break has evolved into an intensive 5 to 6 day community service-learning program that is designed to introduce students to diverse communities and an array of important social issues in multiple locations. ASB combines service projects, with information on the social, cultural, and historical context of the pressing social conditions which they will experience throughout the week. In addition to this, there are opportunities for discussion and reflection that allow students the opportunity to consider new and/or different perspectives about these social problems.

CAST
CAST offers the joy of community service as well as the flexibility needed for the college lifestyle. In joining CAST, students agree to receive bi-weekly emails that highlight upcoming one-day or short-term community service events. Once students register on the center’s website, they can contact individual agencies directly!

To learn more about the CAST program, visit the Volunteer Center’s CAST website at http://sait.usc.edu/volunteer/cast.asp.

Friends & Neighbors Day
The USC Volunteer Center's Friends and Neighbors Day program is one of their most popular service opportunities. These one day service events take place on Saturdays throughout the school year and provide a great opportunity to meet fellow students as well as get involved in the surrounding community.

For more information on upcoming Friends and Neighbors Day events, visit the website at http://sait.usc.edu/volunteer/fnd.asp.

Volunteer Database
The Volunteer Center maintains a database of local non-profits, along with other community-based and service-oriented organizations. Whether students are interested in working with the elderly, tutoring youth, or participating in beach clean-ups in the Southern California region, the Volunteer Center can provide contact information for these organizations.