Discover CLE: Serve and Explore

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization providing shelter, food and social services to vulnerable Clevelanders. Volunteers will be needed to help clean, stock and reorganize areas in different departments. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Bring a filled water bottle.

Founded in 1932, the Coit Road Farmers Market provides access to affordable, locally grown farm fresh produce to residents of Greater Cleveland. The four-acre market site includes a garden for community members to grow produce for family use as well as an urban farm area for growers who sell their produce at the market. The students will assist with maintaining garden beds on the market site. There may be other tasks such as organizing storage areas, especially if weather impacts outdoor activity. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle.

Hope Ignites supports middle school students through after-school programming, holistic support and housing. Volunteers are needed to help beautify the 5.5 acre Campus of Hope by pulling weeds, trimming bushes, edging lawns, picking up sticks and raking leaves around all of the residential and academy buildings, in preparation for the scholars returning in the fall. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle.

Boys and Girls Clubs provide a fun, safe space for kids to go after school. Volunteers will support the Broadway Club with an outdoor beautification activity, weeding, pruning and litter pick-up for the first hour, and the remainder of the time free play with club members on campus for summer programming.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle.  Volunteers should be comfortable working with children and must be 18 years or older.

Sew4Service accepts donations of supplies and equipment in order to upcycle fabric and yarn into handmade items, which are in turn donated to local charities. They also teach people new skills to empower them to be confident creators and promote sustainable sewing through upcycling, recycling and environmental impact programs. Volunteers will fold fabric, use an electronic die cutter to make strips, and sort various sewing and crafting items. If volunteers have sewing skills—or even a a desire to learn—they can learn how to sew simple quilt blocks for our charity quilts. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Volunteers should not sign up for this project if they have dust/wool allergies.

The Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank fosters literacy and a love of reading by providing free books to children in need, distributing 50,000 books a month to agencies/partners across Northeast Ohio. Volunteers sort, sticker and pack the gently used donated books before they can be distributed.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Warehouse does not have air conditioning so dress for heat if necessary. Bring a filled water bottle. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter is the largest men's homeless shelter in the state of Ohio, providing 365 beds per night along with meals, social services and programs to increase self-sufficiency. Volunteers will take part in shelter's weekly "Finding Voice through Poetry" workshop. Alongside shelter residents, volunteers will read published poetry, discuss it, and then are invited to write their own. The workshop is facilitated by a person on staff who is a poet.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Volunteers must dress modestly—no short shorts or low-cut tops. 

The Trinity Cathedral / Charlie Comella Urban Farm addresses food injustice by growing fresh produce for distribution at food pantries in Cleveland's Central neighborhood.  They are 100% volunteer-staffed, and always in need of help with routine maintenance activities. Tasks may include harvesting the produce, planting fall crops, weeding, raking and clean-up, or special projects to be identified.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle.

Chair-ity, Inc. provides furniture and household goods to recipients who graduate from foster care, typically at the age of 18 and begin independent living. Volunteers will visit the Cleveland warehouse to sort and organize new furniture donations, and pack sets of dishes, pots and pans into boxes for easy grab-and-go on delivery days!

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Volunteers may be asked to lift 20+ pounds. Bring a filled water bottle.

Goods Bank NEO helps bridge the gap between those able to give and those in need, receiving truckloads of overstock and new-but-returned items including household goods and basic necessities, and distributing them to a network of over 200 nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations in Northeast Ohio. Volunteers are needed to help fill shelves by sorting, barcoding, shelving and organizing new donations.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Bring a filled water bottle.

Shoes and Clothes for Kids is the only nonprofit organization in Greater Cleveland providing new shoes, school uniforms, clothes and school supplies throughout the year at no charge to thousands of children in need. Volunteers will be counting, organizing and sorting inventory; stocking and displaying inventory on store shelves; fulfilling online orders; stuffing uniform packages and backpacks with supplies; and assisting with data entry. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and comfortable clothes they can work in. Volunteers may be asked to lift 25+ pounds.

The Gathering Place strives to support, educate and empower individuals and families currently coping with the impact of cancer in their lives through programs and services provided free of charge. Volunteers are needed for an end-of-summer clean-up, including cleaning out and organizing closets and cabinets, and doing some light cleaning.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). 

EDWINS Leadership and Culinary Institute offers formerly incarcerated adults a foundation in the culinary and hospitality industries, and a support network necessary for long-term success. Volunteers will help maintain the Second Chance Campus, helping weed gardens, clean the therapy animal pens, fix broken fences and doors, and organize and clean donations.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Volunteers must dress modestly—no short shorts or low-cut tops. Bring a filled water bottle. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Volunteers may not ask EDWINS program participants about past offenses or incarceration.

Join Food Strong in growing healthy food, stronger communities and brighter futures by volunteering at our urban farm and learning gardens, where you may assist with planting, watering, weeding, harvesting crops, maintaining growing spaces, preparing planting beds, spreading mulch and compost, supporting educational programs and community events, organizing tools and workspaces, packing and distributing fresh produce, and helping with seasonal projects that advance food access, environmental stewardship and community wellness throughout Northeast Ohio. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle.

The Hunger Network is one of the largest emergency food providers in Greater Cleveland and has been working to end hunger and build a healthier community for over 25 years. This is an off day at the MidTown Market pantry! They will have a shipment coming in for which they will need help stocking and packing, plus assistance with a quarterly refresh, cleaning up and brightening the space. 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Volunteers may be asked to lift 10-25 pounds.

MedWish MedWorks is a nonprofit organization that saves lives and the environment by repurposing surplus medical supplies and equipment to provide humanitarian aid to people in need. Volunteers are needed to sort pallets of mixed medical supplies; MedWish takes pallets of donations from local partners, checks expiration dates and separates items out into designated categories, These are designed to be able to be completed by non-medical professionals, but any medical term knowledge may help the process.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels).

Trinity Cathedral serves those in need in the Cleveland downtown area, and this program has never missed serving a Sunday lunch in nearly 40 years. A Place at the Table is the only lunch program that serves those in need on Sunday afternoons in the downtown area. Volunteers will help to prepare a space to receive kitchen items in anticipation of upcoming renovations. This will mean moving tables, clothes racks, dishes and pantry items, and other items in a storage area, helping the cathedral to continue to offer a regular community meal and programs.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Bring a filled water bottle.

Many CWRU students serve each year as volunteers at the Cleveland Clinic's main campus, adjacent to CWRU's campus, as lobby greeters, nursing unit support, clinical engineering, lab line runner, courtesy transport and more. Prospective volunteers who are interested in learning about long-term volunteer opportunities are invited to visit CCF Main Campus for a tour and overview.

Please note: Students must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and may not wear jeans, shorts, workout clothing or sweatpants/sweatshirts. This is a business casual workplace. Students will need to walk almost 2 miles roundtrip to and from the Clinic. This is an informational session; students will not be guaranteed a volunteer spot at the Clinic following this visit. 

Vel's Purple Oasis is a community-based urban farm situated on one acre of land where Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood meets University Circle. Volunteers will spend a few hours outdoors helping care for a local garden, completing regular garden care tasks such as weeding and mulching, and collecting any produce ready to be harvested.  

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle. Volunteers will need to walk almost 2 miles roundtrip to and from the site.

Cleveland Sight Center provides individualized support and tools to navigate the visual world for those whose vision is impacting their lives, creating individualized plans to help each person understand and navigate their vision diagnosis, overcome barriers and reach their goals through a variety of service areas. Join CSC by helping prepare crafts and folders, organizing and cleaning the space to set clients up for success.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Volunteers will need to walk over 1 mile roundtrip to and from the site.

Garden@Case is a community garden maintained by faculty, staff and students of Case Western Reserve University. Volunteers raise the food to be donated locally. The volunteers will be tasked with helping to clean up the garden site by weeding and picking up trash around the garden. There may be some harvestable crops for them to take home.

Please note: Volunteers should dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle. There is little shade at the garden so volunteers should wear a hat or take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion if it is very warm. Volunteers will need to walk over 1 mile roundtrip to and from the site.

This volunteer project supports the day-to-day operations of the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House and helps create a clean, comfortable and welcoming environment for families staying with us while their children receive medical care. Volunteers will assist with a variety of hands-on service projects, including deep cleaning unoccupied guest rooms, refreshing and organizing common areas, completing inventory projects for household and kitchen supplies, and assisting with other basic household operations throughout the house. These projects directly support the families they serve and help ensure the house remains a warm and supportive “home away from home” for all who stay there.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Bring a filled water bottle. Volunteers must be healthy due to immunocompromised residents. Volunteers must 18 years or older. Volunteers will need to walk over 1 mile roundtrip to and from the site.

The Transplant House of Cleveland provides affordable, temporary housing and a welcoming, supportive community to organ transplant patients and their families. They have 25 apartments and three buildings on their campus. Volunteers will be conducting campus beautification with possible parking lot sweeping, window cleaning, vine clearing and/or storage organizing, depending on weather.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle. Volunteers will need to walk about 1 mile roundtrip to and from the site.

The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. Volunteers will help beautify the outdoors—mainly weeding planting beds—and some volunteers may help reorganize kitchen drawers in the eight kitchens.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels) and dress to work outdoors. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Bring a filled water bottle. Volunteers must be healthy due to immunocompromised residents. Volunteers will need to walk almost 1 mile roundtrip to and from the site.

For more than a century, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has inspired visitors to connect with the wonders of science and nature, sharing resources to promote a healthy future for both humans and the planet. Volunteers will engage with visitors at the museum in fun craft activities in the classrooms.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). Volunteers should be comfortable working with children. Volunteers will need to walk almost 1 mile roundtrip to and from the site.

SpartanTHON fundraises year-round to support and celebrate the brave kids at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. The volunteer project includes crafts and cards for the children at Rainbow. Some of these activities include card making, bracelet making and blanket making. All of these will be donated to the hospital.

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). This activity takes place on campus.

Come help the unhoused population of Cleveland with Labre Homeless Outreach! We will be making blankets and will spend some time crafting encouragement cards. Homelessness affects so much more than just the body, and effective solutions for helping the unhoused have to lead with empathy. Join us in spreading compassion and support! 

Please note: Volunteers must wear closed shoes (no open toes or heels). This activity takes place on campus.

Each year, the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning hosts 6-10 on-campus blood drives for the campus community. Donate blood and save up to three lives! The American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place on-campus from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registered students can make an appointment on the Red Cross site using this link. Walk ins are also accepted. https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=CASEWESTERN

Please note: Donors should wear an outfit that can have the sleeves rolled up, or short sleeves. Donors must provide a state ID and will answer personal questions about their health. This activity takes place on campus. After registering here, donors should make an appointment on this site: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=CASEWESTERN

Explore the dining, cultural and shopping options of the neighborhood. AsiaTown’s vibrant restaurants will take you on an exciting trip to the Asian continent, sure to satisfy your palate. And don’t forget to check out the indoor shopping centers—Asian Town Center and Asia Plaza! The neighborhood is also filled with outdoor shops for you to visit on a sunny day. There is always somewhere to discover in AsiaTown. 

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for 15 min. and walk for a total of 15 min. to reach your destination.

Situated along the Towpath Trail and just minutes from Downtown Cleveland, Tremont is Cleveland’s vibrant urban village. Tremont is one of Cleveland’s oldest neighborhoods with a rich history dating back to the early 1800s. Today, the neighborhood is known for its award-winning restaurants, lively art scene, boutique shops and scenic churches.

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for a total of 20 minutes and walk a total of 25 minutes to reach your destination.

A chic neighborhood not far from campus, Coventry Village is frequented by students and community members alike. Never a shortage of antique stores, book stores, thrift shops, coffee shops, music venues, theaters and restaurants, Coventry has something for everyone. Between explorations, stop by to cool off with a milkshake from Tommy’s (crowned best milkshakes in Ohio). Get a head start on exploring one of CWRU students’ favorite places to spend a night with friends or try a cool new restaurant.

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for 8 minutes and walk a total of 10 minutes to reach your destination.

The Gordon Square Arts District is a world-class arts district, a retail and dining destination, and a walkable community in the heart of Cleveland's Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. There are more than 20 works of public art to take pictures with during your stroll through Gordon Square. Visit popular restaurants—such as hot dog restaurant Happy Dog—and various cafes. Gordon Square is also home to Cleveland's LGBT Community Center, where students can visit to learn more about how they serve the Cleveland community, or just hang out.

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for a total of 24 minutes and walk a total of 25 minutes to reach your destination.

Explore Tower City Center, once the second tallest building in the world! Consisting of Terminal Tower, the beautiful Skylight Park and the Rapid Transit train hub, as well as a casino, hotel and financial plaza, Tower City has it all! It's easy to get lost in the huge shopping center at the base of the tower and the gorgeous indoor greenery in the newly built Skylight Park. Get familiar with the Tower City Rapid Station downstairs, the central hub for Cleveland's four train lines. The architecture is well-suited for pictures, and its proximity to nearby attractions such as Progressive Field and Rocket Arena will keep you coming back for more.

Please note: You can expect to walk a total of 8 minutes and ride public transportation for a total of 29 minutes to reach your destination.

Hang out at Cleveland’s lakefront on North Coast Harbor, home to many attractions and beautiful greenspaces to take in the scenery, such as Voinovich Bicentennial Park. On the coast within walking distance are Cleveland’s iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lake Science Center, the Cleveland Clinic Dome theater and Huntington Bank Field—home to the Cleveland Browns. Only a short walk away is the Cleveland Free Stamp, the world’s largest rubber stamp!

Please note: You can expect to walk a total of 23 minutes and ride public transportation for a total of 20 minutes to reach your destination.

With over 250 local businesses, Ohio City is a great place to dive into the heart and soul of Cleveland. With unique venues such as Glass Bubble Project, the original Mitchell's Ice Cream and more, Ohio City never disappoints! You can also discover the famous West Side Market, which features over 100 vendors selling Cleveland-foodie classics, including prepared meals, sweet treats, fresh and locally grown groceries, meats, spices and more. Ohio City is the second most walkable neighborhood in Cleveland, where you can access shops, restaurants, parks and various community centers and organizations.

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for 20 minutes and walk for a total of 13 minutes to reach your destination.

Host to over 1,500 high school, collegiate and adult athletes on the banks of the Cuyahoga River in downtown Cleveland, the Cleveland Rowing Foundation facilitates and promotes the sport of rowing to the Greater Cleveland community. The sport of rowing is an extremely rewarding one, requiring that all eight individuals in the boat work together in order to move as fast as possible. Join CWRU’s very own rowing team, CWRU Crew, as they show you around the Cleveland Rowing Foundation Boathouse and introduce you to the basics of the sport. No prior rowing experience is necessary!

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for 20 minutes and walk 20 minutes to reach your destination. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and gym shoes, as there will be a light workout!

A short walk from campus, Lakeview Cemetery is a popular destination for CWRU students to explore! Visit popular spots in the cemetery, such as Daffodil Hill or famous graves. John D. Rockefeller's obelisk and burial site sits in this cemetery, as well as the James. A Garfield Memorial, dedicated to the 20th president of the U.S.! Take a leisurely stroll through the cemetery and feel free to sit by the two ponds located in the cemetery as you take in the history of Cleveland through this popular destination.

Please note: You can expect to walk 16 minutes to reach your destination. Wear comfortable shoes as this trip involves a lot of walking.

Located along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens is home to 26 nationality gardens. Throughout the year the gardens are tended to by the community, and during the annual One World Day, the area is blocked off and dedicated to a festival hosting over 30,000 guests spanning all of the gardens and including a parade, ceremonies, performances, tours and, of course, food from every culture present. 

Please note: This is a walking tour. Please wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather and bring water, as exploring the Cultural Gardens will involve approximately three miles of walking.

Forget to pack some clothes on your way to campus or looking for a new place to revamp your wardrobe? Then look no further than the Beachwood Place! You don’t want to miss your chance to get to know the nearest local shopping mall to campus, a frequent for many CWRU students. Visit popular stores such as Auntie Anne's, Sephora, The Lego Store, Bath & Body Works, Hollister, PacSun, H&M and more. Bond with your fellow students and spend the day getting your shop on with over 100 stores to choose from!

Please note: You can expect to ride public transportation for 30 minutes and walk for a total of 10 minutes to reach your destination.

Are you bringing a bike to campus? Look no further than this sustainable DiscoverCLE trip! We will take you on a tour of the best bike paths around campus and University Circle! Join CWRU’s very own Cycling Club on an adventure to marvel at the sights around campus and beyond, all from the comfort of your very own bike. Perfect for intermediate to advanced bikers—stop to see the sights, grab a cup of coffee, meet new people and more! 

Please note: You will need a bike and a helmet on campus to attend this trip. You can expect to bike anywhere from 10 to 15 miles over the course of this three-hour trip, with some some stops along the way. It is recommend you bring a bike lock for use during stops on the tour, as well as a filled water bottle. Please make sure your bike is in good working condition, as you will be responsible for your own bike in the event of any failure or damage.

The University Farm is composed of several historic properties known as Squire Valleevue Farm and Valley Ridge Farm. This campus is a beautiful 400-acre property that features forests, ravines, waterfalls, meadows, ponds and a self-contained natural watershed and is also a Biology Research Field Station. Owned by CWRU, the Farm is the site of several buildings designed for educational, research and recreational purposes. 

Please note: You can expect to ride a shuttle for about 35 minutes and walk for a total of 5 minutes to reach your destination. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, as the Farm has an expansive campus to explore.