Volunteer opportunities

Our students, alumni, faculty and staff are passionate about Detroit and the surrounding community. The college has successfully developed and managed numerous programs, events and initiatives to serve and improve the community. Each year, the office facilitates college participation in Race for the Cure, American Red Cross blood drives and other volunteer opportunities.

  • AIA Detroit Canstruction
    • Volunteer Roles- form a group and enter the competition.
    • Volunteer Contact Details- If you a part of a group and are interested in joining this year’s Canstruction effort, please contact our CanStruction Chair at canstructdetroit@gmail.com.
    • Dates- Canstruction takes place every December as part of Noel Night. Typically, teams are formed by local architecture firms and schools in the fall.
    • Partner website- AIA Detroit Canstruction
  • American Red Cross

    Looking for Student Organization that would like to volunteer at the Drives to earn service hours please reach out to Beth so she can provide a date and schedule for your group.

  • C2 Pipeline - Engineering & Computer Science

    C2 Pipeline is a 21st Century Community Learning Center funded program through the Michigan Department of Education.  C2 Pipeline operates in nineteen Metro Detroit schools with the goal of college and career readiness.  In order to achieve that goal, the staff of C2 Pipeline uses hands-on, project-based learning activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.) to engage students.  An emphasis is placed on careers in S.T.E.M and the healthcare profession.  C2 Pipeline has several collaborating partners in the Metro Detroit area that are helping accomplish this goal.

  • Construction Science Expo

    The Construction Science Expo is an annual event, held in late spring at a prominent location in Detroit, during which high school students who have signed a drug-free pledge are invited to spend a day being exposed to careers in the engineering and construction fields through a variety of speakers and hands-on experiences.

  • Detroit Area Pre College Engineering Program (DAPCEP)

    DAPCEP is a nonprofit organization with 40 years of experience partnering with universities, training programs, and K-12 school systems in order to connect youth to the best science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational experiences in Michigan.

    • Volunteer Roles- Tech Mentor / Event Assistant
    • Volunteer Contact Details- Jasmine Roberson
    • Dates- October-November
    • Partner WebsiteDAPCEP
  • Downtown Boxing Gym

    The College of Engineering Educational Outreach and Community Engagement office has partnered with Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program (DBG). DBG develops good citizenship in urban youth through strong academic support, a demanding boxing program, and a connection to the community through voluntary service. Volunteers spent the day preparing the new location for DBG for painting. COE students signed up for tutoring and additional community service events.

  • Engineering Society of Detroit Future City

    Future City starts with a question—how can we make the world a better place? To answer it, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue. Past topics include stormwater management, urban agriculture, public spaces, and green energy. 

  • Focus Hope

    Focus HOPE wouldn’t be Focus: HOPE without volunteers. We are always welcoming volunteers to help in all of our projects and departments. The generous support from our volunteers will help us expand our impact — and will provide a meaningful experience for those donating their time on our behalf.

  • Gleaners Food Bank

    Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties and provides food to 528 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies throughout southeast Michigan. In 2018, Gleaners distributed more than 43 million pounds of food to neighbors in need! On average, Gleaners distributes 96,000 meals each day including providing nourishing food and nutrition education to 171,000 children a year. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 93 cents of every donated goes to food and food programs.

  • Keep Growing Detroit

    Eastern Market District. We are currently harvesting, building two greenhouses, and tending to general farm maintenance.Build Greenhouse and Harvest.

  • Michigan Science Center

    Volunteers at the Michigan Science Center assist with a wide range of projects and service needs that suit multiple levels of engagement with us and our visitors. Opportunities are designed for teams of volunteers but also individuals who commit to regularly volunteer. Many are selected through an interview process and trained in the MiSci system while other groups partner with us for one day events.

  • Microsoft TEALS

    Learning computer science empowers young people to compete in the global economy and pursue careers across all sectors because it teaches students computational thinking and problem solving skills applicable in any industry. Students want to learn computer science yet most high schools are unable to offer rigorous CS courses.

  • SMASH Academy

    SMASH Academy, our flagship program, is a three-year STEM- intensive residential college prep program that empowers students to deepen their talents and pursue STEM careers. Every summer, scholars are immersed in tuition-free studies at leading universities throughout the country.  During the academic year, scholars participate in monthly programming.

    • Volunteer Roles- Tech mentors 
    • Volunteer Contact Details- John Ray 
    • Dates- Year-round
    • Partner websiteSMASH Academy
  • Wayne State University STEM Day

    We are proud to host STEM Day, presented by Wayne State University annually — focusing on science, technology, engineering and math. 

    During STEM Day, sixth-through ninth-grade students participate in two hands-on, interactive sessions covering a range of STEM studies and career opportunities.

    • Volunteer Roles- Engineering STEM Activity Leaders 
    • Volunteer Contact Details- Jasmine Roberson
    • Dates- Once annually
    • Partner websiteWSU STEM Day