Yale Community Connect

MISSION

The mission of Yale Community Connect is to build ongoing relationships based on volunteering between Yale alumni (and friends) and community-based organizations (including public schools). Our philosophy is that to volunteer on an ongoing basis is a privilege, because volunteers are guaranteed to grow in amazing ways and to feel good about helping communities grow as well.

The name of our entity, Yale Community Connect, intentionally avoids the word “service” — which focuses on the good deeds of the volunteer. Instead, Yale Community Connect emphasizes the relationship of mutual benefit and enjoyment that both volunteer and host institution experience in an ongoing relationship of connection, engagement, and resource-sharing.

VISION

The vision of Yale Community Connect is a world in which:

• Communities are strengthened by increased meaningful, ongoing volunteer engagements between Yale alumni and community-based organizations;
• Yale is strengthened by producing alumni who have internalized the self-expectation to connect, engage, and share resources with vulnerable communities; and
• The notion of “service,” which focus on volunteers’ good deeds, is expanded to an appreciation for the “equity of exchange” or mutual benefit that occurs in meaningful, ongoing relationships between volunteers and organizations.

Our goals for Yale Community Connect volunteers are to:

• Strengthen the 10-year tradition of Yale Day of Service (YDoS) by helping to deliver on its expanded mission;
• Be useful to organizations that support and strengthen communities;
• Establish and sustain ongoing relationships based on volunteering with organizations;
• Socialize with other like-minded volunteers (Yale alumni, friends, organization partners, and others)

Sign Up for YC Connect | Contact YC Connect

Yale Community Connect Flyer

Volunteer OPPORTUNITIES