Elementary Schools

"English Project" Two entire elementary schools 1st through 5th grade. 1 hour a week. Goal: to provide creative and interactive English lessons by native speakers. 1st grade- Basics of fun. Songs, nursery rhymes, and games that focus on basic English concepts 2nd grade- Writing stories Kids make up simple stories about characters that they invent together with the student/teacher. 3rd grade- Full production to DVD of "Snow White and The Seven Dwarves" in English 4th grade- Full production to DVD of "The Wizard of Oz" in English 5th grade- Full production to DVD of "Cinderella" in English For all productions, kids and student/teachers work together to memorize and understand scripts written by the student/teachers.

Kindergarten

Students are responsible for organizing and providing English lessons once a week for a local kindergarten’s five-year-olds with the goal of giving the children exposure to English through games, songs, and playing.

Misericordia

One of two local volunteer emergency healthcare providers, this organization is particular to Italian and Sienese culture. It is this organization that coordinates ambulances and the volunteers who work in the ambulances. Our students can become certified and volunteer in emergency situations. This certification process is part of a special agreement between The Misericordia and Siena Italian Studies.

The Misericordia ALSO sponsors various programs for the poor such as the Bancarella Alimentare where students volunteer to help run a local food bank twice a week funded by the Misericordia

Pubblica Assistenza

The other local volunteer emergency healthcare provider. Our students mostly contribute to the administrative side of the the volunteering as gaining one’s EMT certification through this organization is a longer process than that provided special to Siena Italian Studies students. The Pubblica Assistenza also sponsors a dormitory that houses children in need and works closely with an association for people with Down Syndrome.

Il Laboratorio

Fully operated by volunteers, this organization runs a center and provides daily activities and transportation for handipcapped residents in Siena. Our students can be involved in the daily workings of Il Laboratorio.

La Corte Dei Miracoli

An organization in Siena dedicated to helping immigrants find work, healthcare, and other needs.

Students can volunteer in the office and work directly with immigrants in need. Activities include internet research, translation, accompanying people to offices, interviews, appointments etc…

La Caritas (Santa Luisa)

An organization religiously affiliated(catholic) dedicated to helping those in need. Main focus immigrants.

Students can:
- help prepare and serve daily meals at the soup kitchen.
- collect, organize, register, and distribute clothing at the used clothing center.

Associazione Per Diabetici

An association located at the hospital in Siena that provides care to diabetics. Students assist doctors and nurses in attending to patients and ALSO provide administrative support.

Associazione Le Bollicine

An association that is mainly dedicated to providing "ippoterapia" to handicapped children. The "ippoterapia" method uses horses and the skills used in horseback riding to help handicapped children. The center also organizes other activities for its handicapped members. Students can help prepare children for riding, organize activities, help with horses(training/experience required to work directly with horses), provide administrative support, help with the maintenance and improvement of the center.

Laboratorio di Virologia

University laboratories that test viruses (there are no dangers to those who volunteer in the laboratory). Due to lack in funding, many laboratories are short staffed. Students can help tag experiments, run test machines, sterilize equipment and generally assist the professionals.

Societa’ Cooperativa "La Proposta"

Located in the medieval gardens "L’Orto De’ Pecci" La Proposta provides work for ex-convicts and recovering drug addicts. Students can work in the gardens both in restoration and in cultivation of vegetables. La Proposta also has a restaurant that benefits the organization. Students can work in the restaurant.