Our mission is to provide the encouragement, resources, and training that allow our students to become responsible, respectful and proactive citizens - locally, nationally, and globally.

"The leaders we need are already here." – Margaret Wheatley

WE BELIEVE that our students have the energy, creativity, and competencies to make a very real and lasting contribution to our world. As leaders, Champlain students nourish and evoke the best qualities in others – their creativity, commitment and caring as well as in themselves.

YOU’RE INVITED to share with us what change you’d like to see in the world. Together we can practice that change by the choices we make and the actions we take. We will provide the resources, encouragement, and training you need to make your hopes come closer to reality.

"The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose." – Gandhi

"(We) have a responsibility to society to share some of (our) time, talent or treasure... to contribute to making the world a better place." – President David Finney

WE BELIEVE that to serve is to practice knowing ourselves – what we care about and what gives meaning to our work. Next, we have a responsibility to serve other human beings.

YOU’RE INVITED to share your service experiences with us as we share ours with you. Help us reach out to our community partners and commit to serving them – and yourself.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own." – Benjamin Disraeli

WE BELIEVE that Champlain students are gifted friends and have a wealth of life experiences to share with all of us. By being a good listener, by paying attention, and by exposing a mentee to new experiences, you model positive choices and promote personal and academic success.

YOU’RE INVITED to become a mentor through one of our existing community partners – DREAM, Burlington Schools, after-school programs – or with Champlain’s New American Student Scholars. We provide the resources, training and encouragement you need to be a life-transforming friend.

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." – Henry Ford

WE BELIEVE that people working together can resolve the pressing issues of the community – poverty, hunger, homelessness, illiteracy, injustice, and health and environmental issues. We also believe in "responsible partnerships" – defined by authentic shared leadership and reciprocity.

YOU’RE INVITED to invest your time and expertise with our community partners through service, service learning, and civic engagement. You will experience authentic reciprocity, reflection, and diversity.

"Only when the clamor of the outside world is silenced will you be able to hear the deeper vibration. Listen carefully." – Sarah Ban Breathnach

WE BELIEVE that action is only one step in creating change. Gaining a deeper clarity on our experiences – learning from what happened – enables us to align our commitments with actions.

YOU’RE INVITED to participate in intentional reflection by taking a service learning course, attending a GET REAL community service club meeting, or participating in one of many facilitated discussions sponsored by the Center.

"In true dialogue, (all) sides are willing to change." – Thich Naht Hahn

WE BELIEVE in making time for simple conversation. In order to create a safe and just community, we must listen to each other – truly listen. The art of dialogue allows each person to be heard and to hear.

YOU’RE INVITED to tell your own story and listen to the stories of others through a variety of campus gatherings and conversations. We invite you to gain skills as a host of inclusive community dialogue. In this fast–paced world, it is rare that we come together to discuss what’s going on around us. What matters to you?