Parent Volunteer Opportunities

Hope Away from Home Volunteer

The "Hope Away from Home" program is a volunteer opportunity for parents of current and former students who live in the greater Holland area to welcome new students to Hope who are from out of state.  Each year, approximately 100 students are partnered with area parents to ensure they feel welcome and comfortable in a community that is far away from home. 

Parents are partnered with 5-8 students for an entire academic year.  Expectations of volunteers include periodic care packages and an invitation to dinner at your home or a place of your choosing.  These contacts are expected a couple of times each semester, or as frequently as the volunteers would like.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about this service, please contact us at parents@hope.edu or 616-395-7250.

Parent Calling Program Volunteer

As a Hope parent, your perspective of the Hope experience is unique and can be of significant value to the parents and families of prospective students who are considering attending Hope College.  We invite you to participate in this special initiative!

Volunteers for the Parent Contact Program agree to call a select number of parents and families of admitted students to offer their perspective on the Hope experience.  There’s no need to brush up on your Hope College statistics! The focus of the call is on your impression of the academic program, Christian character, social environment, and overall spirit of the Hope community. A representative from the Admissions office will follow up with any specific questions that may arise.

The Parent Contact Program has proven to be very effective, helpful, and appreciated by families whose students are considering Hope.  Volunteer callers have found the experience to be enjoyable and rewarding as well.  I hope you will join us in sharing the Hope College experience with these families who are just learning about everything Hope has to offer.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about this service, please contact us at parents@hope.edu or 616-395-7250.

Visit Day Volunteer

Throughout the academic year, the Admissions Office hosts visit days for prospective students and their families.  You may recall attending with your own student when they were in the midst of the college selection process. In addition to questions about Hope’s academic programs, financial aid, and housing, many of these families are interested in talking with the parents of current Hope students to hear your perspective on the Hope College experience.

The Parent Relations Program invites parent volunteers who would be interested in joining these prospective families for a portion of the visit days which the Office of Admissions schedules throughout the year, providing families with the opportunity to ask questions of current Hope parents and hear about your family’s experience with the college.  There are two separate times during which volunteers are needed; morning as families register and lunchtime.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about this service, please contact us at parents@hope.edu or 616-395-7250.

Dance Marathon Volunteer

Dance Marathon is a student-run organization that works year-round to raise money for DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It culminates in a 24-hour Marathon where students stay awake and on their feet for the whole event. The time is filled with games, competitions, dance performances, bands, games, a lip sync contest, entertainers and much more.   As a parent of a Hope student, you have the opportunity to GET INVOLVED and make a difference in the lives of children, too!  There are many great ways to do it.  We need parents help to:

• Set up and clean up.  It may not sound like much fun—but it really is!
• Be a gopher.  It’s a big event and we need help getting things around!
• Serve ice cream...and maybe eat some, too!

Dance Marathon takes place annually at the beginning of March.  To volunteer to make a difference in West Michigan and support Hope College students please contact us.  You can also learn more at the Dance Marathon website www.hope.edu/dancemarathon.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about this service, please contact us at parents@hope.edu or 616-395-7250.