Serve UGA is a student organization which builds sustainable relationships of support between and among students and Athens citizens through critical learning, reflection, and service that fosters growth from the individual to the community level.

How can I get involved?

Serve UGA promotes a culture of service at the University of Georgia by providing one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities for students to make a positive impact in partnership with the local Athens-Clarke county community.

Join a Serve Athens team to support local nonprofits. Transportation is provided for students who participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start?

First, check out the Involvement Network page for Serve UGA, which has over 30 opportunities to volunteer with Service Ambassadors. Serve UGA partners with 9 on-campus and community organizations, including ones which support people experiencing homelessness, access to resources for survivors of domestic violence, animal rehabilitation and rescue, and so much more.

Each event has the contact information of the Service Ambassadors who will be leading the site. Feel free to email them to say hello and ask for more information! Once you RSVP, your Service Ambassador will contact you with information about the task and how it will benefit the organization’s mission, as well as give important details like how to prepare and where to meet. Our goal is to help you take the guesswork out of volunteering.

What should I wear to serve?

Your Service Ambassador will be in contact with you in the days prior to volunteering to share more information about your tasks. Until then, plan to wear closed-toe sneakers or shoes, and think about what might make you more comfortable while serving, like long pants, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle to stay hydrated!

What if I don't have a car?

Transportation can be provided for all Serve Athens volunteer opportunities! Give your Service Ambassador a heads up, and they can coordinate transportation for you to ensure you can participate.

I need service hours. Will this count?

Depending on what your service hours requirement is for, the Serve Athens volunteer opportunities that Serve UGA provides may fit. If you need proof of volunteering for a program or class, check in with your Service Ambassador before serving or email serveuga@uga.edu.

How do I become a Service Ambassador?

We are so excited for students to join our team! Follow Serve UGA on Instagram to apply once applications open twice each year.

Can my student organization partner with Serve UGA?

Yes! Email serveuga@uga.edu to learn more about partnering with Serve UGA or connecting to nonprofits in our community.

Making a Difference

"Serve UGA has really enabled me in terms of maximizing my capabilities as a leader. Through facilitating reflections at service sites and directly engaging with community partners, I have learned how leadership is both task and relationship driven. Overall, I'm looking forward to incorporating mindfulness both in administrative roles as well as in interpersonal situations."

"Serve UGA highlights the importance of sustainable service as well as sustainable relationships. I have learned a lot about consistent action, meeting people where they are, and choosing empathy. This inspires me to be an intentional, relational leader in my community, workplace, and so on—rather than just leading by a title."

"The work I did as part of Dawg Day of Service compelled me to get more involved in the Athens community, so I applied to be a service leader. So far, it has enriched my experience at UGA and introduced me to like-minded individuals who enjoy devoting their time to making our community better!"

Contact Us

Are you a student organization leader or professor? You can request a Service Ambassador to speak at your class or meeting about connecting students to volunteer opportunities through Serve UGA and in Athens! Email serveuga@uga.edu.