Holleran Center at Alvernia University

09/01/2026

Looking to serve a new community?
Alternative breaks are mission trips that allow to students to travel to a new city or country, and engage in service that helps them learn about the environment, justice, new cultures, and poverty.
Applications are open now! Link in bio.

08/31/2026

Honor the spirit of service on September 11 from 1-3 pm by joining us for the first Franciscan Friday of the semester at the Firefighters Museum. (Transportation is provided).

Volunteers will assist with projects that help preserve local firefighting history and support the museum’s mission of educating the community. Sign up via Get Connected.

08/25/2026

There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing a community come together in service. This year’s Orientation Day of Service brought 600+ volunteers together across Reading, but a day of this scale is only possible because of the incredible teams behind it. We are so grateful to VOiCEup Berks Generation Impact, Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Lauer’s Park Elementary School for partnering with the Holleran Center to create meaningful opportunities for our students to serve. The planning, coordination, flexibility and trust that went into this day are a true reflection of what community collaboration can accomplish. We are proud of what we were able to do together and even more grateful for the relationships that make this work possible. 🤝

08/24/2026

Take a look at some of the fun from this year’s Orientation Day of Service!

08/23/2026

Check out our feature on 69 News!

Hundreds of new Alvernia University students came together Saturday, but not for studying.

08/22/2026

What better way to welcome our newest Golden Wolves than by serving together? More than 600 members of the Alvernia University community, including 570+ incoming students, Orientation Weekend leaders, and SEARCH faculty, came together for Orientation Day of Service. Together, we partnered with VOiCEup Berks Generation Impact, Olivet Boys & Girls Club, and Reading School District Lauer’s Park Elementary School for a morning of service, connection, and community. Our newest Golden Wolves put our Franciscan values into action and showed that service is at the ❤️heart💛 of the Alvernia experience from day one ☝🏻

08/20/2026

Day 3 was the perfect way to wrap up AU Bound! We partnered with Alvernia Office of Institutional Sustainability and the Expedition: First-Year Adventure Pre-Orientation Camp for a day of kayaking, pontoon boat tours, and hiking. Students had the opportunity to connect with one another while experiencing and appreciating the natural world around us, reflecting our Franciscan value of care for creation and our responsibility to be good stewards of our common home. What a great finish to an incredible week of service, adventure, and fellowship!

08/19/2026

The Holleran Center was proud to be part of the 5th Annual Back to School Supply Giveaway hosted by Mayor Moran and Representative Guzman! We helped provide school supplies to local families to ensure students have the materials they need to start the new school year. Bernie, Alvernia’s mascot, was also there to help spread some Golden Wolves spirit!

08/18/2026

Day 2 of AU Bound took us to the roots of Alvernia University! Students spent time serving and building fellowship at the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ Motherhouse and St. Joseph Villa, while learning about our Sisters’ history and the beginnings of Alvernia University through tours and conversations. A meaningful day of service, connection, and discovering the traditions that shaped our community! ❤️💛

08/18/2026

Day 1 of AU Bound was a day of getting our hands dirty and making a difference in our community!

Students started the day serving with the City of Reading, PA, helping clean up around the Pagoda before getting a special tour from Reading Pagoda. In the afternoon, we headed to Berks Nature to remove invasive plants and help care for our local environment. A full day of service, learning, and community connection to kick off AU Bound!