Back the Bend 2018 is a continuation of the annual service event, formerly called CommUniversity Day. This is the ninth year that the University of Notre Dame has partnered with the South Bend community and other local colleges and universities to carry out upwards of twenty service projects on a Saturday in April. In its best year over 600 volunteers participated in this day of service.

We believe it is everyone’s place to contribute to our community. Our slogan, “Together, It’s Our Place,” speaks to this belief and emphasizes the importance of collective action to build and maintain a flourishing community. This necessitates more than one day of service, but in coming together to accomplish meaningful projects, we strive to encourage relationships and partnerships that last far beyond this single day.

Community partners involved in providing volunteer projects for Back the Bend 2018 include the City of South Bend Public Works Department, Indiana Landmarks, the Neighborhood Resources Connection, the Northeast Neighborhood Council, the Near Northwest Neighborhood, the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture, Rebuilding Together, the Robinson Community Learning Center, South Bend Venues, Parks, and Arts, and Unity Gardens.

This year Back the Bend will be taking place on Saturday, April 14th. To browse the projects planned for this year’s day of service, see the “Sign Up” tab. Volunteers should sign up online using the “Sign Up Now” button on each project page (click on the project you are interested in first, then fill out the online form).

For questions or more details please contact Adam Moeller at amoeller@nd.edu.

Schedule of Events

10:00 am - Opening Ceremony, Irish Green

10:45 am - Depart for project sites

11:00 am - Arrive at project sites

2:45 pm - Finish work at project sites and depart

3:00 pm - Picnic at the Robinson Community Learning Center