Nearly two thousand University of Virginia students volunteer their time and energy through Madison House each year. Volunteers serve community partners as tutors, tax preparers, construction workers, day care supporters, patient service representatives, role models, and peer counselors.
Our Mission
Madison House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as the volunteer center for students at the University of Virginia. We coordinate volunteers, develop leaders, build community partnerships and promote lifelong volunteer service. Madison House organizes service programs to address the needs of the community as well as the educational and personal growth objectives of students.
OUR Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Madison House, we are dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive community of student volunteers who are committed to making a difference in our local community and the world. We value the diversity of our volunteers, staff, and community partners and strive to ensure that each individual is respected and valued for their contributions regardless of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, abilities, disabilities, or any other factor. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves.
Through our programs and initiatives, we aim to build authentic partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and government agencies to maximize our impact and promote collaboration. We are committed to fostering a culture of service and volunteerism among students, as well as inspiring them to become lifelong advocates for social change. We believe that by working together, we can create a more equitable and just society for all.
“While it was very satisfying that the work we did was tangible and visible, the people involved are what I reflect on the most.”
The service programs of Madison House strive to achieve our mission through:
Cooperating with community organizations to meet the educational, service, companionship, and/or referral needs of community members.
Improving the quality and development of services through ongoing evaluation by community members, students, and the Board of Directors.
Empowering and training student leaders to recruit, train, match, and support student volunteers.
Encouraging students to make a weekly commitment to service.
Providing students with a meaningful volunteer experience which allows them to gain a greater perspective and understanding of the community and themselves.
Fostering the development of volunteer spirit, teamwork, civic participation, and empathy.
Our Model
The Madison House model is threefold: leadership, service, and community.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Madison House has developed a systematic, multi-tiered approach to leadership and volunteer management. Through a train-the-trainer model, the Program staff teaches leadership skills to 200 student leaders who then recruit, train, place and manage the weekly service of more than 1,500 volunteers. Our student leaders are chosen by their peers through a competitive selections process to lead one of Madison House's programs. One third of the members of the Madison House Board of Directors must be students, offering a unique educational experience in "hands on" nonprofit governance.
TRADITION OF SERVICE
Madison House volunteers serve our partnering community agencies on a scheduled weekly basis. Last year, Madison House volunteers served more than 49,000 hours in our local community.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Madison House has scores of partnerships with community agencies that are planned for effective and strategic purposes. At each of our partner agencies, a coordinator develops job descriptions for Madison House volunteers and provides mentoring for our student program directors. Through an annual agreement, community partners and Madison House develop specific goals and objectives for the program.
Although Madison House has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. Madison House is a separate and independent organization, which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the Madison House's contracts, acts or omissions.