Making a difference is a Chico tradition
With CAVE, I feel so much more involved in my community and my school—part of something bigger.
“There is so much you can learn,” says sophomore London Long, coordinator of service learning at Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE). “When you join CAVE and you’re out there in the community, it connects you to Chico. It makes this town feel like home. You will never forget making a difference.”
London’s experience with CAVE began when she signed up for the Adopted Grandparents program her freshman year. “I didn’t do anything extra when I was in high school,” she says. “In college, I wanted to change that. With CAVE, I feel so much more involved in my community and my school—part of something bigger. It has really changed me.”
In her staff position at CAVE, London now places pre-credential students as aides in local classrooms—giving them experience in the classroom before they become teachers. “Chico State students get hands-on learning, and a lot of teachers in the community look forward to having student volunteers in their classes. The kids love it too—it’s always cool to have a college student in your class!”
“The community trusts us,” she adds. “CAVE has been around since 1966, so they know we have the tools and organization in place to provide quality volunteers.”
About 2,000 students volunteer with CAVE’s 20 programs each year, spending an average of 60,000 hours working in classrooms and nursing homes and community gardens in Chico and beyond.
Students have opportunities for civic engagement and community service all across campus. There’s Community Legal Information Center, Environmental Resource and Education Center, and other service opportunities in academic programs all over campus—from the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management’s Annual Winter Community Service projects to Nutrition’s Opt for Fit Kids, Chico State students learn to give to their communities.
Volunteers work on restoring natural habitat along Big Chico Creek as it flows through campus.