Service Learning Sites
Please click below for details about approved service learning sites.
Students will gain a certificate in order to administer the Oraquick rapid HIV Test from AIDS Alabama, which could help with services students provide at health fairs and the student-run free clinic. For more information, email Gigi Ward.
Medical student volunteers are needed to assist in the procuring of vital signs, obtaining blood glucose measurements, taking a basic medical history, surgical history, family history, and social history. Students should be able to perform a basic physical exam and be able to document findings. Cambodian and Laotian translators will be available to assist medical students in obtaining histories from patients.
The next health fair will be held Oct. 20 from 4-7 p.m.
For more information about volunteering, contact Dr. Ashlen Aggen at aaggen@accordiahealth.org.
Alabama Kings Youth Organization is a non-profit organization that was created to develop and encourage high-character youth through academics and basketball.
Students have the opportunity to volunteer with AOSM to perform guided and non-invasive sports physicals on high school athletes. These screening physicals improve the health of the community by following these athletes year-to-year and screening for any dangerous health conditions that may prohibit the student from playing their sport(s) safely. For more information contact Robert Rella at rtr2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
Anatomy Outreach accepts requests from local middle schools, high schools and even colleges to have one-on-one contact with medical students (and other health profession students). Medical students explain to students the anatomy, physiology and pathology of normal and abnormal organs. In addition, students discuss the effects of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
The Angel Dash run is in support of Rachel's Gift, a public charity that works to educate and support caregivers and families enduring pregnancy and infant loss. Volunteers will engage with families and support participants who may be directly impacted by pregnancy and infant loss.
Volunteers are needed to assist with skin cancer screenings at the Azalea Trail Run.
BELONG provides tutoring opportunities for immigrant school-age children and ESL classes for their parents. Contact Juan Torres via text at (251) 656-4953 or sign up to volunteer at www.doyoubelong.org.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Alabama takes pride in strengthening the communities of Mobile and Baldwin Counties by providing mentoring services to local children. Visit their Facebook page here.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama offers opportunities to work directly with youth as mentors, tutors, sports referees/coaches, and teachers of games such as chess, pool and scrabble. Background checks are required. This includes a criminal background check and Department of Human Resources check. The latter takes 4 weeks. Call (251) 432-1235 for more information about volunteering.
Contact: Sheryl Thomas; (251) 604-9309 or sherylpt3@comcast.net
Buddy Ball at West Side Park is part of the Division of Little League Baseball Association that works with physically disabled children between the ages of 5-18. Medical students will assist students during game and practice activities. This is also the contact for participating in Special Olympics.
Camp Rap-A-Hope upholds the mission of providing an exceptional, normal camping experience and the related support services for children and youth who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Volunteers are used in a multitude of ways: from help in getting in and out of inflatables at events (prosthetics, weakness, blindness can prove challenging) to fishing help, to helping with arts & crafts and canoeing – every volunteer has an important role in helping children with cancer experience a bit of fun, encouragement and victories in spite of their cancer diagnosis. Call (251) 476-9880 for more information about volunteering.
Volunteers work alongside certified child passenger safety technicians and prepare informational gift bags for participants of the car seat safety check event. The event is held at the USA Health Strada Patient Care Center.
Contact: Mary Williams; (251) 471-7709 or mcwilliams@southalabama.edu
Medical students can interact directly with the community by volunteering in a variety of community programs and projects. There are several opportunities to work health fairs during the year through the USA Center of Excellence. The Pipeline Project is aimed at increasing the pool of minority scientists. This program gives volunteers the opportunity to work with high school students in mentoring and academic enrichment activities.
Volunteers serve as church youth group leaders and provide mentoring opportunities to teenage girls.
Spanish-speaking medical students will assist with the instruction of English classes for Hispanic community members. Students will assist with lesson plan creation and class conduction. Most of the class will be conducted in the Spanish language as it is by nature an English as a second language course.
The Comprehensive Pre-Medical Program (CMMP) needs volunteers to become clinical/student mentors to aspiring minority premedical students as part of the Premed Bootcamp Program. Created in 2021 for students applying to medical school, this program ensures the students and their applications are adequately prepared prior to their submissions.
Dance Without Limits strives to provide professional dance instruction to all special needs individuals – regardless of their dis“ability.” Volunteers are needed to assist each dancer during classes.
Donor to Diner (D2D) is a service organization that aids and advocates for students facing food insecurity. D2D works to expand resources available to those who are experiencing food insecurity in addition to increasing awareness of student hunger.
Dream Court Inc. offers an adaptive tennis program for children and adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, striving for inclusion and acceptance. Volunteers do not need to have any tennis knowledge to participate. Local program coordinators can be reached at sami.nesbitt@cityofmobile.org or jace.daniel@cityofmobile.org.
The mission of the Dumas Wesley Community Center of Mobile, Alabama, is to EDUCATE, EMPOWER and ENRICH the local community through collaborative programs of Christian service that provide for immediate human needs, strengthen family life, develop leadership and encourage personal responsibility.
Dwell Mobile's mission is to provide opportunities for refugees to thrive by raising awareness, removing obstacles and restoring relationships. They offer adult education (ESL, driving lessons), interview prep, fellowship (dinner every Wednesday night), and tutoring for children.
Volunteers are needed for special projects and day-to-day operations. Individuals interested in volunteering should complete the Volunteer Registration Form. Groups interested in volunteering should email the Volunteer Team. Some types of volunteer work available include: food sorting, clerical work, special events, the backpack program and the community garden.
For more information about volunteering with the food bank, email volunteer@feedingthegulfcoast.org.
Forest Hill Elementary School offers opportunities to work directly with youth as mentors and tutors. Call Sharon Smith at (251) 221-1275 for more information about volunteering.
Fuse Project invests in initiatives promoting the health, fitness, education, and social responsibility of children along Alabama's Gulf Coast. Medical students have an opportunity to volunteer with The Avenue Bridge Collaboration Program (ABC), operating in three Mobile County Public Schools. The goal is to bridge educational disparities by providing supplemental resources, such as academic and extracurricular clubs, student incentives, mentoring programs, and teacher appreciation events.
GEMS is a program designed to expose young students to math, science and technology fields. During the annual GEMS workshop, medical students show and explain the anatomy, physiology and pathology of normal and abnormal organs through a hands-on anatomy room experience.
By utilizing the time and talents of volunteers, hospice can offer a wider range of activities and meet a variety of special needs and interests. At Gentiva Hospice, volunteers provide extra companionship, serve as a link to the greater community, and bring diversity into the lives of patients by representing various ages, cultural and ethnic groups with various educational and professional backgrounds.
Examples of volunteer activities include reading to the patient, offering companionship and support, and providing caregiver relief/respite. Call (251) 478-9900 for more information about volunteering.
Goodwill Gulf Coast has volunteer opportunities for those looking to tutor the English language to people who are learning English as their second language.
The GO Run 5K & Fun Run benefits Gynecologic Cancer Research at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Volunteers are needed to give runners packets and swag bags for participating in the race.
Contact: Carey McDade, M.D.; kslhealthfair@gmail.com
This is a yearly event held in September that offers free screenings - such as blood pressure, glucose, BMI, cholesterol and breast cancer - to the Mobile community.
The Gulf Coast Hindu Society (GCHS) is the only society of Indian Americans along the Gulf Coast. At various GCHS events, medical students will have the opportunity to tutor young individuals and share their passion for medicine.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Alabama is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry located in Mobile, Alabama. HFHSWA is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing as a matter of conscience and action. Habitat builds simple decent houses in partnership with people in need in the community throughout Southwest Alabama. Through donations of time, materials and investment, Habitat houses are sold to families at no profit, financed with affordable no-interest loans. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at (251) 476-7171 ext. 229 for more information.
The Culinary & Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group is partnering with the Pediatric Residency Diversity Coalition outreach subgroup to host a health fair for the community that will offer screening stations (weight, height, vision, developmental) and health education (oral hygiene, drowning prevention, sleep and road safety, mental health, healthy lifestyle, breastfeeding). The event will focus on the local Hispanic population, but all are welcome. The health fair will take place Dec. 4, 2021, at 9 am at Adventist Church, 1900 Cody Road South. For more information contact Kasey Andrews at klg1921@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
Volunteers will help at several stations, providing health education and measuring health metrics such as blood pressure.
Heart for Athletes (HFA) is a nonprofit that provides free heart screenings for Mobile and Baldwin county high school students. At screening events, students receive an EKG that is read by a pediatric cardiologist on site, and if necessary, an echocardiogram is performed.
Project Homeless Connect provides social and healthcare services for the homeless community. Volunteers are needed to help with mental and physical exams, as well as to work in interprofessional teams to triage and treat patients.
As a FocusFirst volunteer with Impact Alabama, you’ll provide free vision screenings for preschool-age children. You will utilize handheld, high-tech equipment to screen small groups of children at local Head Starts, Pre-K Programs, and daycare centers. In most cases, you will assist a trained Impact Corps Member. FocusFirst volunteers are needed August through November and January through May.
As a SaveFirst volunteer with Impact Alabama, you’ll prepare tax returns for low-income, working families using a tax software program at community-based tax sites located directly in communities of need. You will attend two four-hour training sessions and pass an IRS test in order to be certified as a Volunteer Tax Preparer. No previous tax or accounting experience is necessary.
Joy for Johnny is a respite ministry at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church devoted to families with children with special needs. Joy for Johnny is held the 2nd Saturday afternoon (3:30 PM – 8 PM) of every month and allows parents of children with special needs to drop off their children for an afternoon of fun. Volunteers would have the opportunity to see children with special needs outside of the healthcare setting and get a true understanding of some of the challenges these families may face, not to mention have a lot of fun!
Volunteering for Joy for Johnny requires a background check before the volunteer can participate. It is recommend to submit your volunteer application no later than the Monday before the scheduled Joy for Johnny for that month. Volunteers can indicate on the application if they would like to be a “buddy” for a child with special needs or a sibling. Volunteers can also help organize games or crafts. Contact Todd Burford at tburfo1@gmail.com or Beth Abston at babston@hotmail.com.
Keep Mobile clean by picking up litter and debris with Level Up Community Services. Contact Benicia Harrison for more information.
Render personal support to traumatized families and individuals through services ranging from responding to calls for help, to providing a compassionate presence at local hospitals, to assisting with the court adjudication of cases. Intensive training is required and regularly offered in direct care volunteer positions.
Sign the Confidentiality Statement here.
To learn more, call (251) 602-0909
Contact: Morgan Carnley, morganc@lightofthevillage.org.
Light of the Village is a front-line, hands-on ministry. LOV's programs include:
- After school program 2 afternoons a week
- 8-week Summer Bible Camp
- In-school tutoring at 3 local schools
- Bible study on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings
LOV's outreach events educate the community on the health concerns that directly affect them and help them find the resources they need to live healthier lives.
During Mardi Gras parades each year, EMS crews patrol the routes on bike, responding to dispatches and patron walk-ups in places where it is difficult and disruptive to maneuver ambulances. Drs. Dyess and McMahon join the EMS crews in the parades and have extended the opportunity to medical students to join in Feb. 25-March 1.
Please use this link to sign up for a time slot. For more information contact Daniel Phillips at dmp1822@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
McKemie Place is the region's only emergency shelter for unaccompanied homeless women. The OBGYN Interest Group coordinates a student-run free clinic for women at McKemie Place.
Assist the Department of Occupational Therapy with a research study by walking with individuals with disabilities on Saturdays. For more information contact Caroline Massey at acm2122@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
Mobile Latin Fest is a cultural festival held in downtown Mobile. The event gives students a chance to practice Spanish language skills and gain cultural understanding of the Latin community.
The USA College of Medicine chapter of PsychSIGN offers health screenings for hypertension, depression, and substance abuse during November and February at local shopping centers. Informational brochures on depression substance abuse, anxiety, and teen suicide are disseminated, as well as contact information for CarePointe, which is the point of entry for services offered by AltaPointe and the USA Department of Psychiatry.
Volunteers spend time with Mobile Nursing and Rehabilitation residents, forming long-lasting relationships. Volunteers assist staff with arts and crafts projects, play music for the residents, and plan special events for the community.
Volunteering duties at this community health fair and vaccine event include registering patients for the COVID-19 vaccine and filling out vaccine cards. For more information contact Tiara Dean at td2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
The Mulherin Home is a residential facility for 34 mentally challenged individuals ranging in age from 17 to 64 years old. Volunteer opportunities include interacting with the residents through conversation with them and participating in their many activities. Call (251) 471-1998 to learn more about volunteering.
One More Moment (OMM) is an organization that feeds the homeless every Sunday in downtown Mobile. Volunteers are needed to distribute food and basic necessities, as well as to spend time with those in need.
PASSAGE USA (Preparing All Students Socially and Academically for Gainful Employment) is a postsecondary, non-degree certificate program at the University of South Alabama. This program is designed for students who need extra supports to be successful in our community. All PASSAGE USA students are paired with peer mentors who will serve as natural supports in social, academic and employment situations. Learn more about becoming a peer mentor.
Penelope House is a residential shelter for battered women and their children who have come from domestic violence situations. It is a safe haven for those who have no other resources and provides a variety of needed services - including counseling, job acquisition, training for the GED and legal assistance. The Department of Family Medicine operates a weekly on–site clinic, staffed by residents and faculty from the department. In order to assure the safety of the women and children, clearance is required to enter. Opportunities include children’s activities, health and safety education, positive role modeling for the children, etc. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at (251) 342-2809 or email joand@penelopehouse.org for more information.
Mobile Junior Academy (MJA) Providence Outreach Guadalupe Center and Hispanic Community Services are looking for volunteers to work at their health fairs. Students also can volunteer additional hours by counseling pregnant Hispanic patients in the Mobile community.
Rainbow Mobile is an LGBTQ community organization dedicated to providing resources, presenting community events and pursuing projects in Southwest Alabama with the goal of having a healthier, happier and connected LGBTQ community. Rainbow Mobile and MedPride & Allies host an Annual LGBTQ health forum, which focuses on all aspects of health with an emphasis on the concerns for LGBTQ+ health disparities. This includes a discussion on sexual health maintenance with free HIV testing and sexual assault and domestic violence. For more information about volunteering contact Dr. Franklin Trimm at rftrimm@southalabama.edu.
Volunteers help make Ronald McDonald House a ‘home away from home” for every guest, family member and visitor. Volunteers know the House inside and out and approach their volunteerism with full commitment. For additional information, click here.
Contact: Taffy Busby, Volunteer Coordinator; (251) 343-9600 ext. 8939
Where can you volunteer?
- In a nursing home
- In patients' homes
- In Saad Hospice offices
How can you volunteer?
- Call patients as needed
- Visit patients and give caregivers a break
- Provide support and companionship
- Offer spiritual and bereavement support
- Write and distribute special occasion cards
- Provide office/administrative support
The holiday season offers several volunteer opportunities with the Salvation Army, mainly the Salvation Army Angel Tree desk at the mall, working in the Angel Tree Warehouse and Red Kettle Bell Ringers.
Soccer4life is a faith-based 501(c)3 organization that runs a soccer developmental program for underprivileged and at-risk youth in the inner cities. Volunteers assist in coaching youth soccer sessions.
Medical students in the Dermatology Interest Group present Powerpoint presentations about sun-safe habits and skin self exams to elementary through high school students. The presentation is created by SPOTS, a national curriculum that stands for Sun Protection Outreach Taught by Students.
STEM Mobile is a once-a-month program where K-12 children participate in activities centered around topics in science, technology, engineering and math. Learn more about STEM Mobile.
The SNMA hosts an event called "Breaking Barriers - Reaching for Healthcare Careers." The purpose of the event is to spark high school students' interests in pursuing careers in healthcare.
In addition, students can volunteer for "A Day in the Life of a Medical Student," an event that nurtures the medical curiosities of underrepresented minority undergraduate students through teaching clinical skills, clinical reasoning and immersing them in medical school curriculum.
NICU volunteers at USA Children's & Women's Hospital assist with the care of infants in the progressive unit of the NICU. Duties include assisting with feedings and changes, stocking supplies, creating memorabilia, and assembling educational packets for parents.
The University of South Alabama's Jag Pantry is a food pantry in Meisler Hall that is available to all USA students free of charge. The pantry is in need of volunteers to help students find what they are looking for and to help scan items at checkout.
The USA Student-Run Free Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic that provides health screens and wellness checks to the homeless population of Mobile.
Volunteer duties range from checking in the patients, using the "Readiness to Change" scale to identify patients who will most benefit from the educational health counseling, taking a history and short physical, and participating in multi-disciplinary group discussions.
Veterans Recovery Resources is a non-profit based in Mobile that focuses on providing support, counseling, and other resources to aid veterans who are suffering from PTSD, substance abuse, and other mental health issues.
Victory Health Partners exists to minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the medically underserved by providing affordable, quality healthcare services. Our patients are low income uninsured people - those who do not qualify for government funding programs and cannot afford health insurance. Often the only access to physician care is through the emergency rooms of local hospitals. This is expensive and all too often ends in financial devastation for the patients and their families.
Volunteers triage our patients, take basic medical history, blood pressure and determine their reason for the visit as well as filing folders compiled on patients. Volunteers might also have opportunities to work with the physicians (at their discretion) to learn more about various patients. Volunteers should wear scrubs, a mask, and your medical school badge. On the day you volunteer, show up to the clinic, park in the back of the parking lot, and ask any of the staff where you should go as the medical student triage volunteer.
Wilmer Hall Children's Home is a non-profit faith-based organization that has been serving young people in need since 1864. Wilmer Hall serves children and young adults through several programs that provide tutoring, on-campus living, and other tools needed to succeed. Call (251) 262-4674 for more information.
Women’s Resource Center is a faith-based ministry that provides medically accurate information about pregnancy, fetal development, and other related services. It is a pregnancy crisis counseling center where women can go for a free pregnancy test and ultrasound and also receive counseling about their options. Call (251) 344-4357 for more information.