Volunteer Activities
As part of its commitment to holistic education grounded in its founding spirit, Sophia University encourages student volunteer activities. Our university boasts a wide array of extracurricular organizations, many of which are volunteer-based and active in Japan and abroad. These groups consist of students and faculty members who are also engaged in personal volunteer work. “For others, with others” is the motto that guides our members’ daily contributions.
We value collaborating with local communities, including Chiyoda Ward, where the university is located. We share a wide range of resources and activity reports, from campus activities to disaster relief efforts in areas across Japan.
We believe initiatives involving people and communities foster personal growth and academic development.
Examples of Our Initiatives
Training Programs
We provide annual training programs that qualify individuals for volunteer activities, including sign language courses and disaster relief volunteer workshops.
Transportation Subsidy for Disaster Recovery Volunteers
Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, we have provided transportation subsidies to reduce the financial burden on students participating in disaster recovery volunteer activities.
Disaster Prevention Week
The students of Sophia Volunteer Network, an extracurricular activity group, planned this event to spread awareness of disaster prevention among students and faculty members and keep the memory of the disaster area alive as a lesson learned from the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake.
In the past, the event has included an earthquake simulation vehicle, VR vehicle, simulated disaster experience in a smoke house, introduction of goods useful in the event of a disaster, and an emergency food sampling on Main Street. This is an opportunity to view natural disasters as a personal matter and to raise awareness of natural disasters, both for oneself and for others.
Blood Donation Activities
In collaboration with the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Sophia Soccer Club, the University conducts on-campus group blood donation drives each semester.
Charity Initiatives
Four of the many beverage vending machines on campus are designated as “Charity Vendors” where anyone can make a donation: vending machines on campus sell beverages at a discount from the regular price (about 20 yen off), but the charity vending machines sell beverages at the regular price and donate the difference toward disaster relief efforts.
Initiatives to Reduce Plastic Waste
In an effort to reduce plastic waste, we have set up collection boxes for used toothbrushes and empty disposable contact lens cases. The collected used toothbrushes are sent to the “LION Toothbrush Recycling Program” run jointly by TerraCycle and Lion Corporation, and the empty disposable contact lens cases are sent to the “Eye City eco Project The empty disposable contact lens cases are sent to the “Eye City Eco Project” for recycling.
This activity began with a proposal from a student who submitted an idea to the Volunteer Bureau as something that could be done to help preserve the global environment. After much discussion, the extracurricular activity organization “+Re:” was established to plan and manage this activity.
We also collaborate with various companies and public institutions on different projects. Our community involvement includes the annual Chiyoda Ward cleanup, a collaboration with Aozora Bank, Ltd., and participation in crime prevention campaigns organized by the Kojimachi Police Station.
Please visit the FIND SOPHIA “Sophia and Volunteers” page for reports on volunteer activities and future announcements, and the Web Piloti “Volunteer Bureau” page for volunteer opportunities and other information for current students.