Volunteers are led by 140 student Program Directors. Many students consider the time they spent volunteering with Madison House the most rewarding part of their years at UVa. Mad House traces its history back to 1856, when students founded the UVa Young Men s Christian Association, the first collegiate YMCA in the country. In 1971 the organization sold Madison Hall, the YMCA property, and used the proceeds to build Madison House on Rugby Road. Volunteers act as teachers assistants in elementary schools.
Students help with educational and recreational activities in day care centers.
Volunteers travel to migrant camp to organize recreational activities, teach English to adults, and tutor children. Volunteers provide a listening and empathetic ear to callers on a 24-hour anonymous hotline. Student leaders match university groups with community agencies for one-day service projects. Students provide individual companionship for the elderly. Volunteers help local school children to expand their grasp of science and technology through Computers 4 Kids and the Science Fair Mentoring Project.