Countless opportunities for service open to Saint Michael’s students through MOVE

A longtime Saint Michael’s organization offers myriad opportunities for students to make a difference in their communities through service.  

MOVE, or Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts, was founded in 1988 by Fr. Michael Cronogue of the Society of Saint Edmund – the religious order that founded the College. 

MOVE director Lara Scott said MOVE offers opportunities for students, faculty, and staff members to participate in community service locally, regionally, and nationally.  

“Service to the poor, compassionate hospitality, and commitment to justice are part of the heritage and practice of the Society of Saint Edmund,” Scott said. “This heritage is the foundation for MOVE and what drives our service and justice.” 

MOVE instills an environment of broad-based community service that strives to embody the same values that the Edmundites introduced, Scott said. 

“MOVE aims to develop partnerships with community agencies to build meaningful relationships, dialogue openly, and share resources; meet community needs by focusing on effective and necessary programs; and provide leadership development opportunities that engage students in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and nurture lifelong engaged citizens,” Scott said.  

There are many reasons why students connect with MOVE during their time at Saint Michael’s, Scott said: “Some because service has always been part of their lives, some serve in order to engage in secular activism and social change, some show up because of a class, some engage because of their faith.” 

She added, “Regardless of what drives one’s volunteerism, we invite and welcome all members of SMC to engage with MOVE.” 

Lara Scott is the director of MOVE in Edmundite Campus Ministry.

MOVE also contributes to the sense of community and common purpose across campus. Students often forge strong relationships and friendships while working together through MOVE initiatives – a big part of what makes the organization so special for Saint Michael’s, Scott said. 

“We have fun and laugh a lot, strong friendships are built, leadership opportunities exist, we make community change, it feels good to be part of something positive, and there’s opportunity to travel to and serve in incredible parts of the country with peers,” Scott said.  

MOVE has many programs that are running this year for which students can apply. The organization caters to many different routes of volunteerism.  

“We encourage students to stop into MOVE to meet our team of professional staff, Lara Scott, Vicky Castillo ’20, and Ryan Hay ’19, and to learn more about all the programs offered,” Scott said. “More likely than not, there will be student leaders in the office to welcome students and share their own MOVE stories. Getting involved is as easy as walking by the MOVE bulletin board in Alliot and adding your name to the sign-up sheet of the program that interests you.” 

Ryan Hay, Assistant Director of MOVE, paints a rock during the annual MOVE Welcome Back and Fun Friday in September 2023. (Photo by Elizabeth Murray)

SMC Buddies 

A program that builds one-on-one relationships between Saint Michael’s students and people from the surrounding community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students and buddies play games, color, eat, dance, go on field trips, and strengthen friendships. 

Cause for Paws 

Volunteers can advocate for the dignity of animals, raise community awareness of animals, assist local rescue organizations, and inspire action that goes beyond the Saint Michael’s community.  

Civil Rights Alliance 

The Civil Rights Alliance is centered on advocacy work and dedication to social justice. It supports student activism in the community by working with different campus clubs and local organizations to provide opportunities for students to act on their social justice interests.  

CooK N’ Food  

Volunteers have the opportunity to cook a meal for residents of either DISMAS House or ANEW Place once per month. 

Correctional Volleyball 

Volunteers visit the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and play volleyball with the residents in a safe and friendly environment.  

DREAM 

DREAM is a mentorship program for children living in affordable housing. The volunteers (or mentors) in the program do activities as a group with their mentees. Some of these activities include ice skating, bowling, swimming, movie nights, and more.  

COTS – Family Friends 

Volunteers at the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) engage in activities and provide companionship for children of various ages temporarily housed in the local family shelter. Family Friends visits the shelter several times per week.  

FEED 

Volunteers travel to food shelves and cook meals for residents of local shelters and participants in other community organizations.  

Habitat for Humanity  

Volunteers support Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, participate in Habitat “builds” throughout the year, and work in Habitat’s ReStore, a nonprofit home improvement thrift store whose proceeds help local build projects.  

International Outreach  

The mentorship program works to build meaningful connections and provide consistent support and guidance. Students work with children coming from New American and refugee families in the Winooski School District. The children who join the program are of all ages and come from many different cultural backgrounds.  

Juntes 

Volunteers can get involved with Migrant Justice’s Milk with Dignity Campaign through marches and demonstrations, phone-call activism, and other showings of solidarity.  

Little Brother/ Little Sister 

The mentorship program is geared toward children aged 5 to12 from the Winooski area. During their entire College tenure, Saint Michael’s students pair up with their “little” once a week to hang out and build relationships that last a lifetime.  

LUND 

Lund is a residential facility for children under age 5 and their mothers who are receiving treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Volunteers will join in a fun night of arts & crafts with the residents where they may help organize and take part in the crafts or have the opportunity to hold babies while the mothers partake in the activities.  

Middle School Mentors 

Volunteers build healthy relationships as mentors with middle school-aged female-identifying students from Winooski. By pairing each student with college-aged women, the program hopes to establish positive relationships between mentors and their mentees.  

Outdoor Volunteer 

Outdoor Volunteer has partnerships with the Saint Michael’s Institute for the Environment, working on the campus farm and natural area, as well as the New Community Project based in Starksboro, Vermont.  

A group photo of the students and staff who participated in First-Year Apple Picking through MOVE in September 2023. (Photo courtesy of MOVE)

Senior Citizen Games  

Volunteers visit assisted living facility Our Lady of Providence in Winooski once per week to play card games with the residents. The games provide an excellent outlet for casual interactions with the older population and give residents a chance to have someone’s undivided attention.  

Service Trip Committee 

The major duties include the planning, organization, and facilitation of national and international Service Trips.  

Special Events  

A number of other events do not fall into a specific category but include a variety of service opportunities through coordinating on-campus blood drives with the American Red Cross, fundraising for local organizations, hosting the annual First-Year Apple Picking, and participating in the annual Serve-A-Thon. 

More information about MOVE can be found at smcvt.edu/student-life/student-activities/move/.