Service Learning & Civic Engagement
Join the Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement (SLCE) in making a difference both locally and worldwide.
The Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement (SLCE) empowers students to be engaged citizens and create a positive change in the extended Cardinal Community.
SLCE is host to a number of programs including the International Service Learning Program (ISLP), Alternative Service Break (ASB) program, the Vote Everywhere program, and several local days of service throughout the year.
Join us in making a difference locally and worldwide. Donate to the scholarship & programming fund today.
Service Learning & Civic Engagement Programs
Alternative Service Breaks (ASB)
The Alternative Service Break program allows students an inexpensive alternative to regular term breaks. This program takes students to cities across the US over fall, winter, spring, and summer break and gives them the opportunity to learn more about social issues, contribute to the local economy, and serve the communities they visit.
Vote Everywhere
The Vote Everywhere program is UofL’s voter participation and civic engagement hub on campus. We help students understand the importance of voting, get them registered to vote, and bring local and national legislators to our campus so students can learn more about political issues and solutions.
International Service Learning Programs (ISLP)
The International Service Learning Programs provides experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together. Students take a course oriented around global issues and travel to a country as their final exam to implement clinics, lessons, workshops, and activities to serve the host country and their needs.
Local Days of Service
Our local days of service allow students to contribute to their home community- Louisville. Throughout the year, our office plans and implements days of service in order for students to learn more about what their community needs and how their skills, talents, and passions can work to make Louisville a better place to live, study, work, and play.
Impact on The Community
Economic impact on the Louisville community
Top 5 orgs. assisted are Cardinal Cupboard, UofL Free Store, Kentucky Humane Society, Love the Hungry, and Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School.
Validated Volunteer Hours over 7,457 Commitments with 1,177 Volunteers
International Service Learning Programs
Oaxaca, Mexico
October 2–7, 2025 (Fall Break)
Theme(s)/Focus – Entrepreneurship & Community Engagement
Academic Partners – Arts & Sciences (Modern Languages): ML 300-01, 500-01
Service Partners: En Via
Cambodia
December 10–22, 2025 (Winter Break)
Theme(s)/Focus – Youth Services
Academic Partners – Arts & Sciences (Communications): COMM 365, 465, 565; Nursing: NURS 330 *
* Additional application necessary for Nursing course, contact Sarah McClure semccl04@louisville.edu for next steps.
Service Partners - Kids Play International, UofL Student Recreation Center
Belize
March 7–15, 2026 (Spring Break)
Theme(s)/Focus – Community Aid & Development
Academic Partners – Nursing: NURS 330 *
* Additional application necessary for Nursing course, contact Sarah McClure semccl04@louisville.edu for next steps.
Check back soon for more course listings!
Ghana
May 10-22, 2026 (Summer Break 1)
Theme(s)/Focus - Politics, Culture, and Economics
Academic Partners - Arts and Sciences (Political Science); College of Business *
* Contact Dr. Anne Zwerg for additional details and next steps.
Check back soon for more course listings!
"These programs are well-organized, well-executed, and action-packed. It is difficult to convey the joy I experienced during our exciting activities or how much I learned."
Alternative Service Breaks
Chicago
Aug. 8 - 12
Theme/Focus – Community Care
New Orleans
Dec. 7 - 16
Service/Focus – Disaster Relief
Partners – Lower Nine
Local Service Breaks
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
Location – Jefferson Memorial Forest
Theme/Service – Environment
Partners – Student Recreation Center
Oct. 17 - 19
Location – Paducah, KY
Theme/Service – Healthcare
Partners – Gilda's Club Kentuckiana
Nov. 8 - 9
Location – Louisville, KY
Theme/Service – Community Care
Partners – Hand in Hand Ministries
April 11 - 12
Location – Louisville, KY
Theme/Service – Community Care
Open Applications
Helper Helper app
Helper Helper Volunteer Guidelines
Log into Helper Helper and:
- Put as much detail as possible in the comments and survey section as to what service you completed, what actions and tasks you actually performed, and how it has impacted the community
- Include photos, if possible, of the work
- DO NOT use acronyms- spell out the organization you worked for
- Include the contact information for the organization you worked with so our
office can verify you for hours served
General:
Non-paid, non-credit related hours spent at non-profit organizations, local schools, with specific community members, etc.
Examples of service include but are not limited to:
- Volunteering at a non-profit organization
- Serving as a mentor at a K-12 school
- Working at a food bank or food pantry
- Visiting an unrelated elderly member of a nursing home
- Renovating or building houses for families in need
- Participating in off-campus service events
- SOUL or MLK Day of Service
- Alternative Service Breaks
- International Service-Learning Program
General:
- Things you get credit for (classwork) or get paid for (paid internships, coops, jobs, etc.)
- Experiences that are for personal or professional development: tabling for RSOs, preparing materials for class or an RSO
- Student club/organization activities that benefit club members only
- Travel to and from service
What Counts for Service Hours
On-campus service is service that directly benefits UofL or is physically conducted on UofL’s campus including but not limited to:
- Hours spent working in a research lab that does not count for class credit
Time spent on activities that only benefit the membership of an organization cannot be counted as community service hours. - Examples of what does NOT count include but are not limited to:
- Garden Commons
- Cardinal Cupboard
- UofL Free Store
- Service RSOs
What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours
Time spent on activities that only benefit the membership of an organization cannot be counted as community service hours.
Examples of what does NOT count include but are not limited to:
- Attending/leading any meetings
- Preparing materials such as agendas or flyers
- Marketing for your organization (i.e. tabling)
Reasoning: These are leadership development opportunities and are a direct benefit to you or your RSO. These are not community service hours.
What Counts for Service Hours
- Non-partisan voter registration tabling
- Serving as an advocate for a social issue
What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours
- Political lobbying
- Hours spent campaigning for a friend or family member
What Counts for Service Hours
- Blood Donation: Donating or attempting to donate blood counts as 1 community service hour. Limit to 2 hours per semester for blood donations.
- Item Donations: Donating items such as books, clothing, canned goods, or otherwise counts as 1 community service hour. Limit to 2 hours per semester for item donations.
- Assisting with the functioning, planning, or set-up/tear-down of a donation drive
What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours
- Any donation over 2 hours already granted per semester for blood donation
- Any donation over 2 hours already granted per semester for item donations
- Monetary donations
What Counts for Service Hours
- With prior approval, time spent planning/organizing a philanthropic event can be counted as community service (ex. RaiseRED committee, Angel Tree, fraternity/sorority philanthropies, etc.).
- Students wishing to receive community service hours under this exception must include a detailed description of all activities completed, the amount of time spent on each activity, and how it has impacted the wider Louisville community.
- Time spent performing an essential function during a philanthropic event can be counted as community service (ex. handing out water during a race, crowd management, checking people in, etc.)
What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours
- Purchasing items for philanthropic events or donating money
- Time must be given rather than funds in order to count as community service. Please see the “Donations and Drives” subsection for details regarding exceptions and maximums regarding this rule.
- Participating in or attending a philanthropy event without assisting with planning, performing an essential function, or organizing the event.
Examples of what cannot be counted are:
- A charity run/walk
- Relay for Life
- RaiseRED attendance
- Philanthropy events hosted by a fraternity or sorority
- Purchasing a T-shirt, rose, book, or other item for a philanthropic event
What Counts for Service Hours
Time spent serving with a religious organization on activities that benefit a wider population can be counted as service hours:
- Acting as host or greeter
- Taking care of the children
- Serving meals to the community through your religious organization
- Physical labor for a nonfamily/non-related member such as: painting, construction, cleaning, etc.
- Running errands or spending time with a non-related, house-bound member of the religious organization
What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours
Time spent on activities that only benefit the membership of a religious organization cannot be counted as community service hours. Examples of what does NOT count include but are not limited to:
- Proselytizing or providing religious instruction
- Creating religious materials
- Fundraising for a religious organization
The Service Learning and Civic Engagement team reserve the right to change, alter, add, or delete any rule, regulation, or guideline as it pertains to allowable community service hours. By using Helper Helper, you agree to allow the final decision regarding service hour approval to reside with our team.