What is Service Learning? Service-learning is a way to combine rigorous academic study, field experience, and service to an external constituency. As a methodology, service-learning is gaining momentum, at all levels of academic instruction, and we will be using this method in some of the courses in the Department of Speech Communication. Typical speech communication courses utilizing service-learning so far include Intercultural Communication and Group Communication. Service-learning is an Active Learning method, engaging learners with real situations and offering realistic opportunities to apply course material.  Significant opportunites for learning occur (1) while doing the service activity itself, and (2) while reflecting back upon the experience using the various "lenses" of the academic subject matter.  In the case of Group Communication, there are numerous opportunities to apply course concepts, in such areas as group dynamics, leadership style and emergence, and group development.
Why use Service Learning? Research on the use of service-learning indicate numerous benefits, including (1) increasing social awareness, (2) exposing learners to diverse circumstances and experiences, (3) increasing affective learning, (4) enhancing higher-order thinking skills, and (5) specifically increasing opportunities to apply course material.
Organizations in the area where service-learning projects might be conducted: (Note: be aware that some of these locations offer seasonal opportunities only.  If you discover that a location is no longer receiving short-term volunteers, please let me know. Thanks!) Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay 10550 Merritt St. Castroville, Ca. 372-8048 Monterey Bay Area Boy Scouts 55 E. San Joaquin St. Salinas, Ca. 93902 422-5338 Boys and Girls Clubs Monterey County (Note: may not take short-term volunteers) 1332 La Salle Ave. Seaside, Ca. 93955 394-5171 Monterey Civic Club 540 Calle Principal/House Four Winds Monterey, Ca. 93940 394-1131 Monterey Peninsula Jaycees PO Box 852 Monterey, Ca. 93942 625-9521 Cannery Row Association PO Box 44444 Carmel, Ca. 93940 624-2522 Fisherman's Wharf Association PO Box 465 Monterey, Ca. 93942 373-0600 Leadership Monterey Peninsula 801 Lighthouse Ave. #204 Monterey, Ca. 93940 649-8252 Professional Womens Network PO Box 222508 Carmel, Ca. 93922 646-0796 Business and Professional Women Organization PO Box 2184 Seaside, CA 93955 899-6665 Community Partnership of Youth PO Box 42 Monterey, CA. 93942 394-4279 Big Brothers Big Sisters 801 Lighthouse Ave. Monterey, Ca. 93940 655-9231 Kinship Center 22 Ragsdale Dr. #B Monterey, Ca. 93940 649-3044 Turkish American Association of California 481 Reservation Rd. Marina, Ca. 93940 646-1916 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 299 Foam St. Monterey, Ca. 93940 647-4237 American Cancer Society 114 A Monroe St. #1 Salinas, Ca. 93906 372-4521 American Heart Association 1514 Moffett St. #A Salinas, Ca. 93905 757-6221 American Lung Association 550 Camino El Estero #100 Monterey, Ca. 93940 373-7306 Children's Miracle Network 450 E. Romie Lane Salinas, Ca. 93901 755-0778 Door to Hope 165 Clay St. Salinas, Ca. 93901 758-0181 March of Dimes 1101 S. Winchester Blvd. #E-155 San Jose, Ca. 95128 408-260-7629 Note: while this organization is located in San Jose, they may run events right here in Monterey. Monterey County Aids Project 12 E. Gabilan St. Salinas, Ca. 93901 772-8200x13 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am PO Box 869 Monterey, Ca. 93942 649-1533 Big Sur International Marathon 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd. #B6 Carmal, Ca. 93923 625-6226 Coalition of Homeless Services Providers 100 12th St. Bldg. 2861 Marina, Ca. 93933 883-3080 Easter Seal Central California 9010 Soquel Dr. Aptos, Ca. 95003 Note: While this org. is in Aptos, they may run events here in Monterey. Food Bank for Monterey County 815 W. Market St. #5 Salinas, Ca. 93901 758-1523 Goodwill Industries 249 10th St. Marina, Ca. 93933 883-5707 Habitat for Humanity - Monterey County PO Box 742 Seaside, Ca. 93955 442-4828 Housing Advocacy Council PO Box 341 Seaside, CA. 93955 899-9901 Hope Rehabilitation Services 1663 Catalina St. Sand City, Ca. 93955 649-4356 Monterey County Film Commission PO Box 111 Monterey, Ca. 93942 646-0910 Monterey Firefighter's Association 351 Madison St. Monterey, Ca. 93940 646-3905 Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St. Monterey, Ca. 93940 646-5669 Monterey Rape Crisis Center PO Box 2630 Monterey, Ca. 93942 373-3955 SPCA of Monterey County 1002 Monterey Salinas Hwy. Salinas, Ca. 93908 373-2631 Salvation Army 1491 Contra Costa Seaside, Ca. 93955 899-4911x33 Scottish Society of Monterey Peninsula PO Box 1633 Carmel, Ca. 93921 658-3220xW Special Olympics of Monterey Bay Region 5 Harris Ct. Bldg. N5 Monterey, Ca. 93940 373-1972 Volunteer Center of Monterey County 857 Munras Ave. Monterey, Ca. 93940 372-4838 YMCA of Monterey County 1976 Fremont Blvd. Seaside, Ca. 93955 583-1026 Meals On Wheels 700 Jewel Ave. Pacific Grove, CA. 93950 (no phone on the list: see Yellow Pages) Monterey Wine Festival PO Box 1749 Monterey, CA. 93955 656-9463 Rape Crisis Center PO Box 2630 Monterey, CA. 93942 373-3955 Rotary Club: Seaside PO Box 866 Seaside, CA. 93955 899-3332 Salvation Army 1491 Contra Costa Seaside, CA. 93955 899-4911 Seaside Civic League 1466 Yosemite Seaside, CA. 93955 394-6685 Lions Club: Seaside 1712 Fremont Blvd. Seaside, CA. 93955 624-5420 Shelter Outreach Plus 3087 Wittenmeyer Ct. Marina, CA. 93933 384-3388 YMCA: Seaside PO Box 1249 Seaside, CA. 93955 583-1026