Volunteer Locally
Off-Campus Living encourages students and student organizations to get involved in community organizing and volunteer activities in the near neighborhoods. We provide an easy way for local community organizations to connect with interested students and student orgs. If you are an organization with an opportunity, please contact us!
Join a Committee!
Joining a neighborhood committee is a great way to get involved in your neighborhood. Committees are goal oriented groups that meet regularly on topics concerning the neighborhood such as environment, community building, safety, land use & planning, and more. Find one that piques your interests!
Prospect Park Association
- Community Building -Listen, Learn, Ask and Transform how Prospect Park does community work for all residents, homeowners and renters alike.
- Land Use & Planning- Zoning & Development and Project Review.
- Transportation & Safety- Walkability, Bikeability, Multi-Modal Transit, Traffic & Parking, Crime & Public Safety
- Environment- Climate Action Plan and Resiliency, Neighborhood Cleanup
- Admin & Finance- Budget, Accounting, and Funding
South East Como Improvement Association
- Environment - join community projects such as the air pollution prevention project, Solar pilot project, rain barrel building, rain gardens, community gardens, TCE advocacy and urban forestry
- Livability - improve housing and livability conditions
- Community Building - build a more inclusive community and nurture mutually beneficial relationships
- Safety - meets on an ad-hoc basis, but our residents can participate in a monthly meeting through the Second Precinct Advisory Council (2PAC)
- Como Cares team initiative - foster community care as new approach to safety
- Land Use & Development - know what developments are being built in the neighborhood
Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association
- Creating Placemaking - help shape the physical, cultural and social character of the neighborhood and to promote positive changes
- Infrastructure - for all things infrastructure
- Land Use + Development - help make recommendations to the board and city on what is built in the neighborhood
Neighborhood Opportunities
If interested in one of our opportunities (as an individual or as a group), please fill out this request form and we'll get in contact with you!
(If you are a community organization with an opportunity you'd like to list, please contact us at ocl@umn.edu.)
Summer '22 Opportunities
SE Como Sustainable Living Fair
June 18, Van Cleve Park (901 15th Ave SE), 10am-4pm
Looking for people to do 2-3 hour shifts for this great outdoor event between 7am-6pm. Sign up to volunteer with the event.
Hosted by the Southeast Como Improvement Association and Sunny Day Earth Solutions, this free event will bring people together to learn about many aspects of sustainable living and to take action toward a greener future.
The event will feature food, music by Mac and Cheese, local vendors, and workshops about renewable energy, conservation, clean water, environmental activism and more! You'll leave with practical information and actionable steps to create a more sustainable lifestyle. Check out the FB event for more info.
Prospect Park Neighborhood Eco-Events
June 18 & 19, 9am-4pm
Want to be a better steward of Mother Earth? There will be something for everyone to explore in Prospect Park the weekend of June 18th and 19th! Prospect Park is still looking for folks in the neighborhood to participate and show off their alternate energy sources. We'd love to include you! We provide a map and people wander from place to place. If you are interested contact environment@prospectparkmpls.org.
PPA Environment & Neighborhood Resiliency Committee's Second Annual EcoTour: We'll have electric cars, solar panels, alternate energy sources like heat pumps and solar panels for folks to view and learn about. Sign up for a free home energy audit through MNCEE.org at Pratt School. Free to households with an annual income under $100,000.) Runs 10am-1pm, Saturday only.
Community Rain Gardens: It's been almost a year since the PPA Environment Committee helped install 3 community Rain Gardens at Pillars, River of New Hope Church and Glendale at 27th Ave. Stop by for ideas for your own gardens and receive free wildflower seed paper! Runs 10pm-1pm, Saturday only. We will also have water stations at each garden.
Father Hennepin Stewards Cleanup
June 25, 9am-12pm
Saturday June 25th from 9am-12pm help restore native habitat and protect clean water in this scenic nature sanctuary by the Mississippi River that was once part of St. Anthony Falls. You will create space for native plants to thrive, remove invasive plants, and clean up the shoreline and park slopes near limestone rocks where waters once tumbled, like at Minnehaha Falls. You will be able to rotate between activities. After the event, you can walk to an active eagle nest nearby. Parking includes metered street parking on Main Street SE and adjacent streets, and parking ramps at 201 Second Street SE and Riverplace.
The closest transit is bus #6. Meeting place: walk down the stairs across from the Pillsbury A Mill, and you will see the sign-in area in the clearing below Main Street SE, by the Third Ave SE road to the U of M lab. Sign in, learn about the area and activities, meet other volunteers, and receive tools and supplies for the event.
Sign up as an individual or group here!
Be an Adopt-a-Drain Volunteer for Como's Diverter (15th & Talmage) Rain Garden
Southeast Como Improvement Association's native-plant rain garden is located in the traffic diverter at 15th and Talmage Aves SE. It is watered by a pioneering device in a nearby storm drain that redirects polluted stormwater from the street into the garden. The garden’s soil and plant roots have the potential to filter and clean nearly half a million gallons of stormwater a year and prevent pollution in the Mississippi River.
The maintenance crew is seeking one more specialized volunteer to clean this special drain and the other three drains at this corner. If you have a leaf rake, a sturdy broom, a heavy-duty dustpan, and a yard waste bag, it takes only about an hour every other week to clean them.
Please call or send a note if you can help the neighborhood!
Katie Fournier on behalf of the Diverter Maintenance Crew -- 612/331-5615 or kandrfournier@msn.com
Build and Recycle Computers - No Experience Necessary with Minnesota Tech for Success
Volunteer at Minnesota Tech for Success to help create digital equity in Minnesota by ensuring everyone has access to the technology and skills they need to succeed. Volunteers help in a variety of activities, from building computers to sorting equipment to recycling thousands of pounds of e-waste. Anyone can volunteer – all ages and levels of technological experience are welcome.
Sign up as an individual or group here!
Southeast Seniors
Southeast Seniors is seeking volunteers for occasional yard work assistance – trimming bushes, weeding, and other light yard chores this spring & summer. If you enjoy working outside and want to make a difference in your community, please consider this opportunity. Say YES when you can, and NO when you can’t! This is a flexible, low-commitment way to make a difference in your neighborhood and in the life of an older adult neighbor!
For more information, contact Ann Carter
at ann@seseniors.org or 612-331-2302.
Previous Events
Previous Opportunities
Prospect Park Earth Day River, Park & Storm Drain Clean Up
Dates: Two-week event beginning Saturday 4/9/22 9am-noon.
Pick up materials at any of these 4 locations:
- East River Parkway & SE Franklin Avenue in River Gorge Park
- in Luxton Park and
- at the Bridal Veil Park SE 29th Ave & SE 4th St. (Towerside @ 4th St.)
- Prospect Park (Tower Hill Park)
PPA's Environment Committee is organizing the effort. Gloves and bags are provided! The event runs from Saturday April 9th through Saturday, April 23rd (2 weeks). Get a sports water bottle for your efforts!
Residents are encouraged to join their friends and family for a day of service in the community. Help keep the storm water drains clear of litter and leaves, pick up the parks, or clean up your section of the neighborhood. We'll have 4 locations where you can pick up supplies on Saturday, April 9 (bags for litter & recycling, gloves, and a reusable water bottle) between 9 am and noon. When you register, you can let us know where you'll be working. Our goal is to cover the neighborhood.
Prizes of a $25 gift card will be awarded after a drawing to a lucky person in each of 6 categories (pre-school, grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and ages 19-25).
Please complete this quick form to let us know which of the 4 areas you will stop by on Saturday, April 9 between 9 and noon for supplies (Tower Hill Park, Luxton Park, East River Road(near the Franklin Ave. bridge, or Towerside Park at 4th St and 29th Ave.). If you can't make it on the 10th but want to be involved, complete the form for ways to be involved. For more information, please email environment@prospectparkmpls.org.
SE Como Weekend Walk-Abouts
Date: 4/3/22 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: FairShare Farm, 2198 SE Fairmount St, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
All are welcome to join (or lead) an upcoming SE Como Weekend Walk-About, hosted by one of your neighbors! Do you like taking walks, but need some motivation to get out there? Would you like to get to know your neighbors? Join a Como Neighborhood Community Walk! SECIA will be facilitating weekend walking groups for neighbors to come together and take a stroll around our neighborhood.
SE Como Chat at Van Cleve Park
Date: 4/14/22 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
Come join your neighbors and SECIA Executive Director, Jessica Focht-Perlberg, to connect, chat about what's most important to you in the neighborhood, learn what SECIA is up to, share your interests and ideas and ways we can work together for the better of the neighborhood!
Weather permitting, COVID-safety guidelines will be followed -- bring your own chair! Social distancing/masks required. If a weather cancellation is necessary, feel free to reach out to jessica@secomo.org to schedule a virtual meet-up!
Bring your neighbor!
SE Como Earth Day Garden & Neighborhood Cleanup
Date: 4/23/2022 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
Come out to celebrate Earth Day and welcome spring with your SE Como neighbors! Join anytime to help clean up and beautify the neighborhood, come tour, learn about and help start spring cleanup at our 6 community gardens, and enjoy some fun, educational and interactive activities for all! Contact anna@secomo.org to sign up or learn more, or just come on by, and bring your friends and neighbors! To request interpreting services or accommodations for this event, please contact secomo@secomo.org.
Marcy-Holmes Annual River Clean Up
Date: 4/23/22 9:30am-Noon
Location: Father Hennepin Bluff Park 420 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Meet near the intersection of Main Street SE and 6th Avenue SE.
Marcy-Holmes Earth Day River clean up in partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Bags, gloves, coffee and other refreshments provided. You are not required to RSVP, but doing so will help us with supply estimates.
For more information or updates about the event please feel free to visit the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association events webpage.
CONTACT:
Chris Lautenschlager · chris@marcy-holmes.org · 612.623.7633
Marcy-Holmes Adopt a Street Clean Up Day
Date: 5/14/22 at 9:00am-Noon
Location: First Congregational Church, 500 8th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414 United States
MHNA is the official adopter of University Avenue SE and 4th Street SE in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. A number of times each year, volunteers from the neighborhood, the UMN, and others come together to clean up these two streets. We will meet at First Congregational Church, 500 8th Avenue SE, where you pick up gloves, bags, and other supplies.
From the church, we will form small groups of individuals who will help clean up trash from Central Ave to 15th Avenue SE. Designated trash drop off sites will be established in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact Chris Lautenschlager, MHNA Executive Director, at chris@marcy-holmes.org or 612.623.7633.
Campus Neighborhood Spring Cleanup
Date: Sunday, April 28th, 1pm-3pm
A coordinated effort between neighborhood organizations, Off-Campus Living and the Inter-fraternity Council.
The goal is to pick up trash in all nearby off-campus neighborhoods. We’ll provide you with garbage bags and gloves to assist with the clean-up.
*Coordination and materials will be provided by Off-Campus Living or Neighborhood Coordinators*
Use the request form to contact us!
3 Locations below:
- SE Como Clean Up (with Southeast Como Improvement Association and Off-Campus Living)
Location check-in: Van Cleve Park (901 15th Ave SE, Mpls)
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/972802376257305/
- Stadium Village Clean Up (with Prospect Park Association and Off-Campus Living)
Location check-in: Punch Pizza (802 Washington Ave SE, Mpls)
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/436701207137087/
- Marcy Holmes Adopt-a-Street Neighborhood Clean-Up
(with Marcy-Homes Neighborhood Association, local fraternities and sororities and Off-Campus Living).
Location check-in: First Congregational Church (800 5th St SE, Mpls)
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1027324307462345/
Southeast Seniors Taste of Southeast
Volunteers needed to help Southeast Seniors host annual event. Help needed with set up, take down, check in, kitchen help, auction help, etc.
Event info: Join SE Seniors for an afternoon of tasting a buffet of delicious food provided by area restaurants, shopping a silent auction and celebrating long-time Marcy Holmes resident, Ardes Johnson.
Date: Saturday, May 4, event 12 to 3 p.m. (shifts available 9am-5pm on Saturday, and help needed Friday, 4pm-6:30pm as well)
Location: St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 1500 Franklin Av. SE, Minneapolis (walking distance to the U)
Sign Up: Please contact Ann Carter at 612-331-2302 or ann@seseniors.org!
If interested in attending the event if not volunteering, purchase tickets online or at the door. It's a great event with great food!
Doors Open Minneapolis - Prospect Park Water Tower Tours
Help is needed to staff the Water Tower for tours during Doors Open Minneapolis, a festival with lots of cool places in Mpls open to the public for viewing for two days.
Water Tower Hosts at the Top of the Tower provide information and safety alerts to visitors. NOTE: Volunteer will need to be able to climb the 120 steps to the top of the tower.
Water Tower Hosts at the Entrance to the Tower manage visitor access.
A tower information handout that highlights key facts and historical information will be provided to volunteers.
Date: May 18 and May 19, 10am-5pm (1 hour shifts available, opening and closing shifts are 75 minutes)
Location: Tower Hill Park (the Witch's Hat Tower) at 55 Malcolm Ave SE
Use their sign up to pick your shift(s)! Contact Phil Anderson with questions: 612 627-9471.
Distribute Snow Emergency Parking pamphlets
(@ various blocks in the Marcy Holmes, SE Como and Prospect Park area) , throughout February/March, flexible time (you choose!)
Help Off-Campus Living place snow emergency pamphlets on parked cars in the neighborhoods to educate drivers about where they can and can't park during a snow emergency. We want to help students avoid getting ticketed and towed. Help us spread the word and encourage students to download the app or sign up for text alerts for snow emergencies.
Host: Off-Campus Living
Use the request form to contact us!
Fall Neighborhood Clean-Up
(@ the Purple Onion)
Date: 10/27/18, 1pm-3pm
Come join the Office of Off-Campus Living in cleaning up our neighborhood for the new year. Check in at the Purple Onion anytime from 1 to 3p.m and we’ll even provide you with a free drink from the cafe! We’ll also provide you with garbage bags and gloves to assist with the clean-up.
Host: Off-Campus Living
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/332075477596157/