Community
Stanford and the city of Palo Alto are home to a thriving vibrant community. There are aspects of the area to suit every taste, from community volunteereing to sports and recreation. Please have a look at some of the various organizations that you can support or become a part of.
HandsOn Bay Area (HOBA)
HandsOn Bay Area (HOBA) creates opportunities for people to volunteer, learn and lead in their communities. We strive to provide volunteers with a high-quality experience that fuels further action, and we envision a day when everyone is inspired and equipped to be the change they wish to see in the world.
LGBT Community Resources Center
The center offers a range of programs including CASA (a small-group mentoring program for queer, questioning, and allied frosh) and Safe and Open Spaces at Stanford (a student-run dorm outreach and diversity awareness program) as well as lecture series, colloquia, seminars, and mini-courses; residence programs; support groups; health education workshops; diversity trainings; social and cultural events; community activities; leadership development retreats; and support for LGBT volunteer student organizations and student-driven initiatives.
Stanford Aikido Club
The Stanford Aikido Club is open to participation by all Stanford students, faculty, and staff. Aikido has been on campus and under the direction of Sensei Frank Doran since 1972.
Generally, the class is taught with little talking. You are being trained to depend more on your own powers of observation, and less on lengthy explanations, When in doubt, look around and copy as best you can what others are doing. You will find the more experienced members helpful, both during and after class, and they will work at a level that is appropriate and safe for you.
People who are curious about Aikido or martial arts are encouraged to come any time and observe lessons to find out what it is all about.
Stanford Cat Network
A volunteer, non-profit organization supporting a spay/neuter, feeding and adoption program for homless cats at Stanford.
Founded on the belief that all life should be valued and treated with dignity and respect, the Stanford Cat Network has a long-term commitment to the health and well-being of homeless cats on the Stanford campus.
They provide a viable alternative to euthanasia, through spay/neuter, vaccination, release and feeding of unsocialized cats, and adoption of tame cats and kittens.
They endeavor to promote community awareness of the responsible care and treatment of animals.
Stanford Hellenic
Hell.A.S. is the Hellenic cultural group at Stanford University. Their aim is to bring together people of Hellenic heritage and members of the Stanford community interested in Hellenic culture. They are affiliated with many Greek alumni, Greek-Americans and friends of Hell.A.S. that live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In this direction, we organize and support regular social, cultural and recreational events to bring our members together and communicate the greek spirit.
Touch Rugby at Stanford
Touch rugby is a highly enjoyable running game with the goal of scoring tries. It is a non-contact adaptation of rugby that can be played anywhere and by men and women of all ages and abilities, and it is a great way to raise your level of fitness and improve your ball-handling skills. It is a much more of a flowing, dynamic game than touch football.
A group gathers to play social (non-competitive) games on Saturday afternoons after 3:30 pm and from spring to fall on Wednesday evenings after 6:00 pm. Their games are co-ed: girls and guys of all ages are welcome. If you haven't played before, don't be shy! They accept all levels of players in the spirt of fun. Please visit their website to learn how you can join.
YMCA of Silicon Valley
The YMCA of Silicon Valley is the new YMCA nonprofit membership organization formed from the union of the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley and the YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula effective January 1, 2009.
The YMCA of Silicon Valley is committed to enriching kids, adults, families and the community through health, fitness and wellness programs, youth programs, camps, family programs, swimming, and a variety of activities for people of all ages, incomes and abilities. Anyone can join. The YMCA values and embraces the diversity of all people in the community.