A record-number of USC staff and faculty donated more money than years past to ring up the most successful Good Neighbors Campaign to date.
More than 6,000 Trojans gave $1.38 million for programs that change the lives of families who live in the neighborhoods around the University Park and Health Sciences campuses.
“The generosity of the Trojan Family is spectacular, particularly given the current economic situation. We exceeded our fundraising goal, which means that more than 6,000 university employees believe in positively impacting our communities,” said Tom Sayles, vice president of the USC Office of Government and Civic Engagement. “These funds will enable us to engage even more faculty, staff and students in our civic engagement efforts and to support collaborative partnerships with community organizations.”
Click here to read the rest of the story from the University of Southern California website.
Showing posts with label Encouragement from Campus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement from Campus. Show all posts
February 28, 2011
February 26, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Seattle University commits to enriching local children's lives
Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. today announced the launch of the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI). The initiative will bring the university’s entire campus community together to improve the academic achievement of low-income youth living in the Bailey Gatzert neighborhood, provide support for vulnerable families and strengthen the university’s educational programs.
The Youth Initiative will be a long-term campus-wide commitment by faculty, staff and students to join parents, the Seattle School District, the City of Seattle, faith communities and more than 30 community organizations to help children succeed in grades K-12, attend college and succeed in life.
Children and families living in the area served by Bailey Gatzert, just south of SU, face significant challenges. For example, youth violence and juvenile incarceration are among the highest in Seattle. Many area youth face significant academic challenges throughout their educational experience, creating barriers to graduating from high school - and a lack of access to higher education.
“Our dedication to helping and working side by side with underserved populations and those in need is proven and unwavering,” said President Sundborg. “The crisis is acute in our own backyard, and with community-building collaboration, we can make a difference.”
Click here to read the rest of the story from Seattle University's website.
The Youth Initiative will be a long-term campus-wide commitment by faculty, staff and students to join parents, the Seattle School District, the City of Seattle, faith communities and more than 30 community organizations to help children succeed in grades K-12, attend college and succeed in life.
Children and families living in the area served by Bailey Gatzert, just south of SU, face significant challenges. For example, youth violence and juvenile incarceration are among the highest in Seattle. Many area youth face significant academic challenges throughout their educational experience, creating barriers to graduating from high school - and a lack of access to higher education.
“Our dedication to helping and working side by side with underserved populations and those in need is proven and unwavering,” said President Sundborg. “The crisis is acute in our own backyard, and with community-building collaboration, we can make a difference.”
Click here to read the rest of the story from Seattle University's website.
February 25, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Gannon students helping Erie's less fortunate
Nearly 30 Gannon students are embracing the University’s call to community service through a sweeping project aimed at improving the health and well being of lower-income local residents.
A primary focus of the project will be changing the long-term eating habits of individuals living at or below the poverty line, a disproportionate number of whom struggle with obesity and related issues.
Students in the University’s Exercise Science Club, and from courses in Advanced Sports Nutrition and Nutrition in Disease, are among those participating. The students will be tasked with developing healthy recipes and helping distribute them to the target audience.
The project is a true community effort, as Gannon’s Erie-GAINS initiative is joining with St. Martin Center, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, the Bayfront Eastside Task Force and local food pantries. As an early step in the process, a group of Gannon students and Suzanne Kitts, M.Ed., ATC, instructor, Gannon University sport and exercise science program, recently visited the pantry at St. Patrick Church, 130 East 4th St. Kitts and the students observed the pantry on its weekly collection day.
Mike Litzinger, one of the co-directors of St. Pat’s, is excited about Gannon’s involvement. “Gannon has been a great neighbor to us in a number of ways,” he said. Every week, St. Pat’s distributes boxes of food to as many as 250 families, or about 1,300 individuals.
A grant of nearly $5,000 from Metz & Associates, Gannon’s foodservice provider, is making the project possible. Specifically, the grant funds will be used to:
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Gannon University website.
A primary focus of the project will be changing the long-term eating habits of individuals living at or below the poverty line, a disproportionate number of whom struggle with obesity and related issues.
Students in the University’s Exercise Science Club, and from courses in Advanced Sports Nutrition and Nutrition in Disease, are among those participating. The students will be tasked with developing healthy recipes and helping distribute them to the target audience.
The project is a true community effort, as Gannon’s Erie-GAINS initiative is joining with St. Martin Center, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, the Bayfront Eastside Task Force and local food pantries. As an early step in the process, a group of Gannon students and Suzanne Kitts, M.Ed., ATC, instructor, Gannon University sport and exercise science program, recently visited the pantry at St. Patrick Church, 130 East 4th St. Kitts and the students observed the pantry on its weekly collection day.
Mike Litzinger, one of the co-directors of St. Pat’s, is excited about Gannon’s involvement. “Gannon has been a great neighbor to us in a number of ways,” he said. Every week, St. Pat’s distributes boxes of food to as many as 250 families, or about 1,300 individuals.
A grant of nearly $5,000 from Metz & Associates, Gannon’s foodservice provider, is making the project possible. Specifically, the grant funds will be used to:
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Gannon University website.
February 24, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Texas Lutheran students, dogs pitch in to help their community
Hundreds of bulldogs swarmed across the city of Seguin on Saturday morning.
They collected trash, racked leaves, worked on community gardens and picked up rocks all throughout Seguin.
During the fourth annual "Day of the Dogs," almost 300 students, faculty and alumni took to the streets, creeks and non-profit organizations to help keep Seguin clean, said Center for Servant Leadership director Tim Barr.
"Day of the Dogs gives students an opportunity to learn about the town and meet the people who live here and to just get involved," he said. "Over time this has become a day that TLU students work with leaders in their community to clean it up."
The large group of volunteers were dispatched to about 20 sites around town, Barr said.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Seguin (TX) Gazette Enterprise.
They collected trash, racked leaves, worked on community gardens and picked up rocks all throughout Seguin.
During the fourth annual "Day of the Dogs," almost 300 students, faculty and alumni took to the streets, creeks and non-profit organizations to help keep Seguin clean, said Center for Servant Leadership director Tim Barr.
"Day of the Dogs gives students an opportunity to learn about the town and meet the people who live here and to just get involved," he said. "Over time this has become a day that TLU students work with leaders in their community to clean it up."
The large group of volunteers were dispatched to about 20 sites around town, Barr said.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Seguin (TX) Gazette Enterprise.
February 23, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Austin Peay students help keep Empty Bowls full
Empty Bowls is an incredible creative opportunity bringing art, giving and eating together for a cause," said Rita Arancibia, who aided Clarksville in joining the nationwide grass roots movement to help the disadvantaged.
Empty Bowls of Clarksville hosted its first fundraising event in 2009, and since then community participation has more than doubled each year. The effort was a simple one: During the year artisans and people in the community came together to create bowls that will be given to people who attend the Empty Bowls fundraising event. Those bowls are "a symbol to remind us that there are empty bowls in neighborhoods throughout our community," Arancibia said.
This year more than 650 tickets were sold for the Tuesday, Feb. 22 event at Emmanuel Family Life Center. Many of the bowls that will be given to people attending the event were handmade by Ken Shipley, Austin Peay State University associate professor of art, his wife Melody Shipley, APSU ceramics students and community volunteers. Later the bowls were painted by people in the community, making each bowl a unique piece of art made by many hands.
"There are little more than 700 bowls, and I'd say we made most of them," Shipley said. "In October (during Bowl-a-Thon hosted by APSU Student Art League) they made about 400 with the help of members of the community and students."
Wednesday morning, Shipley and APSU ceramics students gathered in APSU's ceramics department to prepare the last 150 bowls for glazing and firing.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Clarksville (TN) Leaf Chronicle.
Empty Bowls of Clarksville hosted its first fundraising event in 2009, and since then community participation has more than doubled each year. The effort was a simple one: During the year artisans and people in the community came together to create bowls that will be given to people who attend the Empty Bowls fundraising event. Those bowls are "a symbol to remind us that there are empty bowls in neighborhoods throughout our community," Arancibia said.
This year more than 650 tickets were sold for the Tuesday, Feb. 22 event at Emmanuel Family Life Center. Many of the bowls that will be given to people attending the event were handmade by Ken Shipley, Austin Peay State University associate professor of art, his wife Melody Shipley, APSU ceramics students and community volunteers. Later the bowls were painted by people in the community, making each bowl a unique piece of art made by many hands.
"There are little more than 700 bowls, and I'd say we made most of them," Shipley said. "In October (during Bowl-a-Thon hosted by APSU Student Art League) they made about 400 with the help of members of the community and students."
Wednesday morning, Shipley and APSU ceramics students gathered in APSU's ceramics department to prepare the last 150 bowls for glazing and firing.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Clarksville (TN) Leaf Chronicle.
February 22, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-At Harvard Shelter, the Elite Serve the Homeless
As darkness falls on Harvard Square, students wrapped tight against the freezing cold hustle down icy, red-brick sidewalks and past snow banks, eager to reach the warmth of dorms and libraries.
One man, underdressed in a light jacket and baseball hat, paces impatiently at the basement door of the University Lutheran Church.
He's waiting for the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter to open.
Every night from Nov. 15 to April 15, the shelter brings together students from one of the world's wealthiest and most prestigious universities with neighbors struggling to survive on the fringes of society. It touts itself as the only homeless shelter in the nation run entirely by college students.
"When I got on campus, I saw a really strong juxtaposition between the wealth, prestige and power of the university compared with the plight of so many people in the square," said Jonathan Warsh, who in addition to being co-administrative director of the shelter is a senior from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., studying government and health policy. "It's too easy to get trapped in the ivory tower."
Click here to read the rest of the story from The Huffington Post.
One man, underdressed in a light jacket and baseball hat, paces impatiently at the basement door of the University Lutheran Church.
He's waiting for the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter to open.
Every night from Nov. 15 to April 15, the shelter brings together students from one of the world's wealthiest and most prestigious universities with neighbors struggling to survive on the fringes of society. It touts itself as the only homeless shelter in the nation run entirely by college students.
"When I got on campus, I saw a really strong juxtaposition between the wealth, prestige and power of the university compared with the plight of so many people in the square," said Jonathan Warsh, who in addition to being co-administrative director of the shelter is a senior from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., studying government and health policy. "It's too easy to get trapped in the ivory tower."
Click here to read the rest of the story from The Huffington Post.
February 21, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Cal State-Northridge's Michael Lizzarga is an inspiration
He received the e-mail only a few weeks ago, but already Christopher Caulfield has big plans for the missive.
"I'm going to keep it for the rest of my life,'' the 14-year-old said.
Chances are you've never heard of the author.
Michael Lizarraga isn't famous. He isn't an All-America candidate or future NBA draft pick, and he isn't dating a supermodel.
He plays for the third-place team in the Big West, Cal State Northridge. Bonus points if you know the school nickname is the Matadors. He is the team's sixth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder.
In other words, just another guy toiling in the Division I ranks, far removed from the world of one-and-dones, Top 25 rankings and Bracketology debates.
Yet to a kid who lives 2,000 miles away in Illinois, Michael Lizarraga is a hero. Caulfield watches Cal State Northridge games faithfully on his computer, and on the rare occasion he can't, he pores through the box scores the next day to see how Michael played.
"I want to be like Michael,'' Caulfield says, without a hint of irony, failing altogether to realize he's just echoed one of the most famous basketball catchphrases about the world's most famous basketball player to talk about a guy no one has heard of.
To Christopher Caulfield, Michael Lizarraga is Michael Jordan.
He's a superstar, doing things Caulfield never thought possible.
He's living the dream, playing Division I basketball, just like Caulfield always imagines.
And just like Christopher Caulfield, Michael Lizarraga is deaf.
Click here to read the rest of the story from ESPN.com.
"I'm going to keep it for the rest of my life,'' the 14-year-old said.
Chances are you've never heard of the author.
Michael Lizarraga isn't famous. He isn't an All-America candidate or future NBA draft pick, and he isn't dating a supermodel.
He plays for the third-place team in the Big West, Cal State Northridge. Bonus points if you know the school nickname is the Matadors. He is the team's sixth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder.
In other words, just another guy toiling in the Division I ranks, far removed from the world of one-and-dones, Top 25 rankings and Bracketology debates.
Yet to a kid who lives 2,000 miles away in Illinois, Michael Lizarraga is a hero. Caulfield watches Cal State Northridge games faithfully on his computer, and on the rare occasion he can't, he pores through the box scores the next day to see how Michael played.
"I want to be like Michael,'' Caulfield says, without a hint of irony, failing altogether to realize he's just echoed one of the most famous basketball catchphrases about the world's most famous basketball player to talk about a guy no one has heard of.
To Christopher Caulfield, Michael Lizarraga is Michael Jordan.
He's a superstar, doing things Caulfield never thought possible.
He's living the dream, playing Division I basketball, just like Caulfield always imagines.
And just like Christopher Caulfield, Michael Lizarraga is deaf.
Click here to read the rest of the story from ESPN.com.
February 19, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Portland State to open Ben and Jerry's store to benefit homeless
There are good ideas, there are great ideas and then there are ideas so perfect, it's a wonder no one has thought of them before.
The Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop at Pioneer Courthouse Square is an example of a good idea: The nonprofit New Avenues for Youth runs and staffs the Yamhill Street store as part of its efforts to help homeless young men and women find decent-paying jobs and stable housing.
Commercial real estate broker Ramona Harrington had a great idea last year during conversations with Portland State University administrators about how to make better use of a TriMet information office: She suggested PSU lease the Urban Plaza space to New Avenues for a second store.
The step from great to perfect came a few months later, as Harrington and New Avenues executive director Ken Cowdery surveyed the site. At almost the same moment, both noticed that the small storefront sits next door to Portland State's School of Social Work.
"It was almost one of those, 'Well, duh,' moments," Cowdery said. "We spent something like two more hours coming up with ideas for ways the university and New Avenues could work together to provide opportunities for both our students and their students."
Talk about synergy. One ice cream shop isn't going to end our homelessness project, but a dozen more public/private/nonprofit partnerships like this one could make a decent dent. If everything goes smoothly, the new 750-square foot shop will open April 12, "free cone day" at Ben & Jerry's outlets across the country.
Click here to read the rest of the story at the Portland State website.
The Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop at Pioneer Courthouse Square is an example of a good idea: The nonprofit New Avenues for Youth runs and staffs the Yamhill Street store as part of its efforts to help homeless young men and women find decent-paying jobs and stable housing.
Commercial real estate broker Ramona Harrington had a great idea last year during conversations with Portland State University administrators about how to make better use of a TriMet information office: She suggested PSU lease the Urban Plaza space to New Avenues for a second store.
The step from great to perfect came a few months later, as Harrington and New Avenues executive director Ken Cowdery surveyed the site. At almost the same moment, both noticed that the small storefront sits next door to Portland State's School of Social Work.
"It was almost one of those, 'Well, duh,' moments," Cowdery said. "We spent something like two more hours coming up with ideas for ways the university and New Avenues could work together to provide opportunities for both our students and their students."
Talk about synergy. One ice cream shop isn't going to end our homelessness project, but a dozen more public/private/nonprofit partnerships like this one could make a decent dent. If everything goes smoothly, the new 750-square foot shop will open April 12, "free cone day" at Ben & Jerry's outlets across the country.
Click here to read the rest of the story at the Portland State website.
February 18, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Pitt teams reach out to local youth to promote health and fitness
The University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team participated on Saturday morning in a sports and educational clinic as part of the Panther PAWS program.
Panther PAWS is an on-going series that introduces Pitt student-athletes to middle school students tin an effort to promote health and wellness. Each Saturday during the spring semester a different Panthers team facilitates an instructional sports clinic and educational discussions for youth from the Hill District community.
Saturday’s community outreach featured the men’s soccer team, who spoke to the over 40 youngsters on self esteem. The squad and coaches offered skill and instruction in the sport, as well. The Panther PAWS, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s Community Leisure Learn Program, is in its sixth year.
“This was a great experience for the kids, not to mention for our own team,” said head men’s soccer coach Joe Luxbacher.
This story was linked from the University of Pittsburgh athletics website.
Panther PAWS is an on-going series that introduces Pitt student-athletes to middle school students tin an effort to promote health and wellness. Each Saturday during the spring semester a different Panthers team facilitates an instructional sports clinic and educational discussions for youth from the Hill District community.
Saturday’s community outreach featured the men’s soccer team, who spoke to the over 40 youngsters on self esteem. The squad and coaches offered skill and instruction in the sport, as well. The Panther PAWS, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s Community Leisure Learn Program, is in its sixth year.
“This was a great experience for the kids, not to mention for our own team,” said head men’s soccer coach Joe Luxbacher.
This story was linked from the University of Pittsburgh athletics website.
February 17, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Providence Class Raises $3k for Breast Cancer Foundation
Providence College marketing and photography students in a novel interdisciplinary course raised $3,000 for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation during the fall semester.
The culminating event in the course, Marketing-Art-Philanthropy, was a Vision of Hope fundraiser in Slavin Center '64 Hall in early December. Attended by more than 75 members and friends of the College community, Vision of Hope included a silent auction, an exhibit of student photography depicting breast cancer survivors and events, several speakers, and live music.
Students raised the funds for the foundation through the auction, ticket sales to Vision of Hope, donations, and sales of a magazine they produced, Vision of Hope: Envision, Empower, Endeavor. The magazine featured students' photography and reflections on their semester-long engaged learning experience, and interviews with and reflections by breast cancer survivors and/or family members.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Providence College website.
The culminating event in the course, Marketing-Art-Philanthropy, was a Vision of Hope fundraiser in Slavin Center '64 Hall in early December. Attended by more than 75 members and friends of the College community, Vision of Hope included a silent auction, an exhibit of student photography depicting breast cancer survivors and events, several speakers, and live music.
Students raised the funds for the foundation through the auction, ticket sales to Vision of Hope, donations, and sales of a magazine they produced, Vision of Hope: Envision, Empower, Endeavor. The magazine featured students' photography and reflections on their semester-long engaged learning experience, and interviews with and reflections by breast cancer survivors and/or family members.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Providence College website.
February 16, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-'Ole Miss volleyball player recognized for work in the community
Senior setter/defensive specialist Emily Kvitle was one of 11 athletes named to the annual SEC Volleyball Community Service team, the Southeastern Conference office announced on Wednesday.
Each year the Southeastern Conference selects one athlete from each school who displays a strong sense of community and actively participates in outreach efforts in their respective communities to honor for their hard work and sacrifice.
Kvitle was selected as the representative for Ole Miss for 2010.
“Emily is very deserving of this honor,” said Ole Miss head coach Joe Getzin. “She’s a role model both on and off the court. She’s very worthy of this award.”
The senior from Quincy, Ill., has been an active member in the Ole Miss and Oxford communities when it comes to service. She has been a participant in the Reading with the Rebels program that has athletes travel to area elementary schools and read with the students as well as participating each year in the SEC Canned Food Drive to stock local food pantries.
Earlier this season, Kvitle and her team visited a local homeless shelter in Houston, Texas, when the team was in town for a tournament at Rice University. There, Kvitle washed dishes, visited with clients of the shelter, prepared meals and worked to help the shelter with its daily duties.
Kvitle also has been active in the Rebel Re-run program to collect athletic shoes for youth in Africa.
She is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as an executive committee member.
This story was linked from the University of Mississippi athletic website.
Each year the Southeastern Conference selects one athlete from each school who displays a strong sense of community and actively participates in outreach efforts in their respective communities to honor for their hard work and sacrifice.
Kvitle was selected as the representative for Ole Miss for 2010.
“Emily is very deserving of this honor,” said Ole Miss head coach Joe Getzin. “She’s a role model both on and off the court. She’s very worthy of this award.”
The senior from Quincy, Ill., has been an active member in the Ole Miss and Oxford communities when it comes to service. She has been a participant in the Reading with the Rebels program that has athletes travel to area elementary schools and read with the students as well as participating each year in the SEC Canned Food Drive to stock local food pantries.
Earlier this season, Kvitle and her team visited a local homeless shelter in Houston, Texas, when the team was in town for a tournament at Rice University. There, Kvitle washed dishes, visited with clients of the shelter, prepared meals and worked to help the shelter with its daily duties.
Kvitle also has been active in the Rebel Re-run program to collect athletic shoes for youth in Africa.
She is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as an executive committee member.
This story was linked from the University of Mississippi athletic website.
February 15, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Quinnipiac Students and Faculty Deliver Health Care in Nicaragua
An interdisciplinary team of health sciences students visited Nicaragua this month to deliver medical care and host educational presentations for local people in and near the city of León.
"This group characterizes our physical and occupational therapy students. I am delighted with their selfless dedication and creative energy," said Maureen Helgren, associate professor of physical therapy.
Helgren was one of four faculty members accompanying the 15 physical therapy and occupational therapy majors--a mix of graduate and undergraduate students--on the Jan. 3-13 trip.
Two nursing professors also went to explore roles for nursing students, who will join future trips. Quinnipiac's Albert Schweitzer Institute coordinates annual service trips to areas of need in Nicaragua.
"Our primary goal is provide quality care to the people of Nicaragua who are not able to access therapy services otherwise, along with providing the Nicaraguan professionals with rehabilitation knowledge," said occupational therapy graduate student Danielle Quinn, a student leader on the trip.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Quinnipiac school website.
"This group characterizes our physical and occupational therapy students. I am delighted with their selfless dedication and creative energy," said Maureen Helgren, associate professor of physical therapy.
Helgren was one of four faculty members accompanying the 15 physical therapy and occupational therapy majors--a mix of graduate and undergraduate students--on the Jan. 3-13 trip.
Two nursing professors also went to explore roles for nursing students, who will join future trips. Quinnipiac's Albert Schweitzer Institute coordinates annual service trips to areas of need in Nicaragua.
"Our primary goal is provide quality care to the people of Nicaragua who are not able to access therapy services otherwise, along with providing the Nicaraguan professionals with rehabilitation knowledge," said occupational therapy graduate student Danielle Quinn, a student leader on the trip.
Click here to read the rest of the story from the Quinnipiac school website.
February 14, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-Wake Forest Coach Gives Player a Kidney
Wake Forest freshman outfielder Kevin Jordan needed a kidney transplant. None of his family members was a suitable match for a donation.
That's when his baseball coach, Tom Walter, stepped in.
Both men are recovering at Emory Hospital in Atlanta after Walter donated a kidney to Jordan on Monday. One of the surgeons in the procedures, Dr. Kenneth Newell, said the operations went well and that both men are expected to make full recoveries.
"When we recruit our guys, we talk about family and making sacrifices for one another," Walter said before the operation. "It is something we take very seriously. I had the support of my family, Wake Forest and my team. To me it was a no-brainer."
Click here to read the rest of the story at ESPN.com
That's when his baseball coach, Tom Walter, stepped in.
Both men are recovering at Emory Hospital in Atlanta after Walter donated a kidney to Jordan on Monday. One of the surgeons in the procedures, Dr. Kenneth Newell, said the operations went well and that both men are expected to make full recoveries.
"When we recruit our guys, we talk about family and making sacrifices for one another," Walter said before the operation. "It is something we take very seriously. I had the support of my family, Wake Forest and my team. To me it was a no-brainer."
Click here to read the rest of the story at ESPN.com
January 24, 2011
Encouragement From Campus-JMU's Dawn Evans prevailing over kidney disease
It's pretty impressive to be the nation's highest scoring women's college basketball player. It's even more impressive to do so fighting a serious kidney disease. USA Today tells the story of Dawn Evans from James Madison University.
Click here to read the story.
Click here to read the story.
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