Virtual summer volunteer opportunities connect RGG students and alumni to Rome

Community-based learning and volunteering are taking on new forms due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, allowing even more volunteers to stay connected to the local Roman community this summer. Though students will not physically be present at the Rome Global Gateway (RGG) this summer, staff have been working with local partners to create virtual opportunities for collaboration not only for RGG students, but also for alumni. Longtime partners such as the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Humanitarian Corridors Initiative, Suore di Carità dell'Assunzione, the Scuole Dedalo and Casa Scalabrini 634 are working to envision and implement new avenues for collaboration in this Covid-19 era.

“Our hope is that interested students and alumni can contribute their unique knowledge, skills, and experience toward the ongoing work of local organizations while deepening their connection to the city,” says Mallory Nardin, director of programming, student development & community engagement. 

Though these opportunities were announced just over a week ago, Nardin says ten students  have already reached out with interest in participating.

Over the next few weeks, Nardin will meet with each student individually to curate virtual experiences that will best meet both the volunteer and community partner’s needs. Thus far, projects range from tutoring and teaching to research and writing.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we‘ve received countless messages from prior students conveying their concern and support for the people of Rome,” she says.“I am so pleased to see the creative ways in which they are turning their heartfelt concern into meaningful action in the city they once called home.”

Check out the full list of RGG partnership organizations.

If interested, please email Mallory Nardin by June 15th.