Organizations
Participating in groups on campus and in the community can enrich both your life and your education. Keep reading to see how.
ASWSU Spokane
When the Associated Students of WSU Spokane plan a ski trip weekend, “cans” film festival, sporting event, movie night, or barbecue, they have you in mind.
Other Campus Organizations
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Liaison: Brian Guello (brianguello@hotmail.com)
- American College of Healthcare Professionals (ACHE): Cody Hess (hess_cody@hotmail.com)
- American Society of Interior Designers (ASID): Jamie Mason (jem1017@yahoo.com)
- ExMet Club: Mark Oswalt (mphio@hotmail.com)
- Graduate Health Administration Students: Katie MacKay (kpetersz@wsu.edu)
- Kappa Psi: Monica Flory (monica_flory@wsu.edu)
- PPSO: Phil Sandefer (pysandefer@wsu.edu)
- Rho Chi: Matt Gardner (garm@mail.wsu.edu)
- Riverpoint Diversity Club: Ben Kraus (brkrauss@hotmail.com) and Elle Flood (dflood@mail.wsu.edu)
Local Organizations and Volunteer Opportunities*
The Inland Northwest has much to offer—and so do you. This sampling of regional community life suggests some of the many outlets that exist for your talents and service.
- Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County: Boys and Girls Club provides “a positive place for kids,” while volunteers have the opportunity to instill in children a sense of competence, usefulness, and belonging.
- Habitat for Humanity: A non-profit dedicated to bringing community members together to build affordable housing. The Spokane chapter often partners with the Design Institute.
- Second Harvest Inland Northwest: A central warehouse for Spokane food pantries. You can help by donating food or money, organizing a food drive or fundraiser, or volunteering your time.
- Spokane Folklore Society: A non-profit dedicated to celebrating folk arts, especially music and dance. Its site is the place to turn if you want to start or join a band, jam with other musicians, keep in touch with other dancers, or find local open mics.
- Spokane Society of Young Professionals: An innovative group that stimulates business relationships, careers, the community and the economy by connecting the next generation of leaders.
- Union Gospel Mission: Volunteer at either the Men’s Mission or Anna Ogden Hall by serving meals, organizing drives, stocking and sorting donations, adopting a family for Christmas, decorating residential rooms, planting flowers, and more. Donate food, gently used clothing, personal care items, bus tokens, or money.
- Volunteers of America of Spokane: VOA efforts include the Crosswalk center for homeless youth, Project Safe Place, annual “I remember mama” luncheons for elderly women, and affordable housing programs. Volunteers help through activities such as supervising teens, contributing meals, teaching classes, decorating rooms, tending babies, helping with grocery shopping, providing holiday goodies, sorting and distributing books, or hosting special events.
- Women and Children’s Free Restaurant: Located in one of Washington State’s poorest neighborhoods, the WCFR emphasizes the social aspects of sharing a meal and provides a safe, dignified setting for women and children. Trained volunteers serve dinners, restaurant style, at shared tables.
- WSU/Spokane County 4-H:
Adult volunteers are always needed to share their talents and expertise with
youth and teach children how to “learn by doing.”
*The views and activities of these organizations are their own.
Need More Information?
- Websites like United Way, VolunteerMatch, Spokane Valley Community Center, Craig’s List, and Idealist create a meeting point for organizations and prospective volunteers.
- Resources like The Inlander, The Spokesman-Review, and SpokaneArts keep you up-to-date on local activities and opportunities.