DAE 2011: Alumni projects around the world support communities
Last year, nearly 1,000 Duke alumni in 42 cities across the country and around the world took on ambitious projects to serve their communities through Duke Alums Engage.
Participants built houses, mentored children, sorted clothing and food for the needy, promoted community health and fitness, and much more. The day-long projects were tailored to the needs of each community, and, at the end of each day of service, alumni gathered to reflect on their experiences.
New York alumni sponsored a community health and fitness day in partnership with the Children's Aid Society, Dunlevy Milbank, an organization with social, recreational, educational, and health programs serving hundreds of children and families in Harlem. More than 100 alumni and friends turned out for the project.
“I am proud that I know so many people who were willing to give so much of themselves to help others in need,” said Jack Boyd ’85, co-leader of the New York City project. “I’m also proud to be associated with a great university that asks its students both past and present to use their knowledge in service to society.”
Alums in Kansas City, Mo. renovated an outdoor classroom with children’s aid organization Operation Breakthrough.
“This was a great day of helping one of the biggest daycare centers in the region by painting, scraping, and priming the fence around their outdoor classroom,” said Kimberly Young ’96, co-leader of the Kansas City project. “We worked through a hail storm and cold weather, but with warm hearts. We look forward to seeing the kids enjoy this beautiful space!”
Sterly Wilder ’83, Duke’s associate vice president for alumni affairs, notes that Duke Alums Engage is a key piece of the university’s commitment to civic engagement. “Duke alumni are going out into their own communities around the world and using their extraordinary talents to make a real difference in the lives of others,” she said. “DAE has quickly become one of the most fulfilling things that we do each year, and alumni are already talking about their plans for next year’s projects.”
Check out these projects and more:
Asheville, NC
2011
Project: Painting and restoring the property's gymnasium
Partnering Group: Spring Creek Literacy Project
Partner Mission: Fosters literacy, social equity, and economic opportunity for Appalachia's girls and young women
Atlanta, GA
2011
Project: Sorting and packing medical supplies for clinics overseas
Partnering Group: MedShare
Partner Mission: A nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare and the environment through the efficient recovery and redistribution of the surplus of medical supplies and equipment to those most in need
2009
Project: Prepared medical supplies for shipment
Partnering Group: MedShare
Partner Mission: Delivers surplus medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in more than 70 nations
2008
Project: Prepared medical supplies for shipment
Partnering Group: MedShare
Partner Mission: Delivers surplus medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in more than 70 nations
Austin, TX
2011
Project: Park Clean-Up
Partnering Group: Keep Austin Beautiful
Partner Mission: An organization that strives to clean, beautify and protect the Austin environment through physical improvements and hands-on education
Baltimore, MD
2011
Project: Hosted a Literacy Fair for elementary and middle school students including games and crafts, a poetry slam and a book drive
Partnering Group: KIPP Ujima Village Academy
Partner Mission: To create and operate public schools in Baltimore City that lead students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and a diversity of skill levels to attend and succeed in four-year colleges. KIPP Ujima Village Academy is a public charter school serving over 330 students in grades 5-8.
Bangalore, India
2011
Project: Assisting with the Dream Funday, a creative learning opportunity for children
Partnering Group: Dream a Dream
Partner Mission: An organization that provides children from vulnerable backgrounds with non-traditional educational opportunities designed to allow them to explore, innovate and build important life skills
Boise, ID
2011
Project: Sorting food for distribution and touring facility
Partnering Group: The Idaho Foodbank
Partner Mission: An independent nonprofit organization that has worked with a network of partner agencies to distribute free emergency food to individuals and families in need for more than 25 years
Boston, MA
2011
Project: April 30 – Cleaning and organizing;
May 1 – Cooking, serving, dining, and playing games with guests
Partnering Group: American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Partner Mission: A free, temporary residence for traveling cancer patients seeking treatment in Boston
2009
Project: Tutored high school students
Partnering Group: MATCH School
Partner Mission: Prepares underserved youth for success in college and beyond
Charlotte, NC
2011
Project: Sorting donations of clothes and nonperishable foods as well as some possible light landscaping
Partnering Group: Crisis Assistance Ministry
Partner Mission: Providing assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency; Second Harvest Food Bank, which strives through education, advocacy, and partnerships to eliminate hunger by the solicitation and distribution of food
2009
Project: Sorted clothing and household goods
Partnering Group: Crisis Assistance Ministry
Partner Mission: Serves low-income citizens who are facing financial emergencies
Chicago, IL
2011
Project: Austin Neighborhood Beautification Project – cleaning up and planting flowers on 15-20 street corners around the Austin Neighborhood
Partnering Group: Central Austin Neighborhood Association (CANA)
Partner Mission: Helping connect institutions and residents to build and protect an excellent place to live, work and play
2009
Project: Cleaned up a beach
Partnering Group: Alliance for the Great Lakes
Partner Mission: Ensures the health of the beaches and shoreline of the Great Lakes
Cincinnati, OH
2011
Project: Organizing and packing disaster relief supplies for Japan, including food, water, blankets, and more
Partnering Group: Matthew 25 Ministries
Partner Mission: A humanitarian aid organization that helps more than 11 million people around the world each year and sends more than 10 million pounds of aid such as food, personal care items, medical supplies, and other products to those in desperate need
2009
Project: Cleaned up a neighborhood/park
Partnering Group: Working in Neighborhoods
Partner Mission: Empowers people through community building, home ownership, and economic learning
Columbus, OH
2011
Project: Staffing grand opening of Flying Horse Farms
Partnering Group: Flying Horse Farms
Partner Mission: A newly formed camp in central Ohio for children with serious illnesses
Dallas, TX
2011
Project: Landscaping and gardening
Partnering Group: Dan D. Rogers Elementary School
Partner Mission: Values cultural diversity, encourages the development of self-discipline, and portrays an appreciation for learning
Denver, CO
2011
Project: Sorting medical supplies for shipment to the developing world
Partnering Group: Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment)
Partner Mission: An organization that strives to identify, solicit, collect, sort and deliver medical supplies and services according to the imperative needs of the world
Detroit, MI
2011
Project: Assist in sprucing up Pontiac High School with several indoor beautification projects including cleaning up the library and greenhouse, painting, building benches, and painting murals designed by students
Partnering Group: United Way for Southeastern MI
Partner Mission: Recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done
2009
Project: Tutored and advised students
Partnering Group: Beyond Basics
Partner Mission: Guides and supports at-risk children to develop fundamental educational skills
2008
Project: Tutored and advised students
Partnering Group: Beyond Basics
Partner Mission: Guides and supports at-risk children to develop fundamental educational skills
Dubai
2011
Project: Assisting with the ‘You can b!’ Innovation Day Camp
Partnering Group: INJAZ UAE
Partner Mission: Connecting volunteers to mentor students on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills through fun experiential programs
Durham, NC
2011
Project: Working with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in the new community garden in the West End community, one of Duke’s partner neighborhoods
Partnering Group: Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership
Partner Mission: An organization that works to improve quality of life and educational achievement in the 12 neighborhoods closest to campus
2009
Project: Cleaned up a neighborhood
Partnering Group: Keep Durham Beautiful
Partner Mission: Engages individuals to take greater responsibility for their community and environment
Fairfield County, CT
2011
Project: Clean-Up Day
Partnering Group: The Stamford Museum and Nature Center
Partner Mission: Offering year-round classes in art and nature, science and agriculture, for toddlers through adults
2009
Project: Packaged Thanksgiving food baskets
Partnering Group: Person-to-Person
Partner Mission: Shares goods and talents with families who lack the basic resources to improve their lives
Hartford, CT
2011
Project: Duke Alums Engage Support Literacy!
Partnering Group: Reach Out and Read Connecticut
Partner Mission: Preparing America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together
Houston, TX
2011
Project: Assisting students through tutoring, organizing library materials, painting, and building projects
Partnering Group: KIPP 3D Academy
Partner Mission: A public charter school that provides middle-school age students with the knowledge, critical thinking, and character skills required to prepare them for the rigors of competitive high schools, colleges, and the world beyond
2009
Project: Gave college/career advice to high school students
Partnering Group: Teach for America
Partner Mission: Eliminates educational inequity by enlisting the nation's most promising future leaders in the effort
Jacksonville, FL
2011
Project: Volunteering as a group with Habijax
Partnering Group: Habijax
Partner Mission: Jacksonville’s Habitat for Humanity affiliate
Kansas City, MO
2011
Project: Renovating an outdoor classroom
Partnering Group: Operation Breakthrough
Partner Mission: An organization that strives to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment
2009
Project: Prepared treat bags for children
Partnering Group: Collegebound
Partner Mission: Helps underserved high school students apply for college admission and financial aid
2008
Project: Helped launch college admissions program for disadvantaged students
Partnering Group: Operation Breakthrough
Partner Mission: Helps poor children develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment
London
2011
Project: Preparing meals for those in need in the community
Partnering Group: FoodCycle
Partner Mission: A group that empowers volunteers to collect surplus produce locally and prepare nutritious meals in unused professional kitchen spaces
Los Angeles, CA
2011
Project: Facilitating after-school programs on leadership, computer skills, fitness, and financial literacy
Partnering Group: Mar Vista Family Center
Partner Mission: Providing low-income families with quality early childhood education, youth enrichment, and educational tools to create positive change in their lives and their community
2009
Project: Gave college/career advice to students
Partnering Group: Fernando Pullum Performing Arts School
Partner Mission: Combines combine experiential learning with a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum
Miami, FL
2011
Project: Planting trees, cleaning playground equipment, mulching the grounds of the emergency shelter, and more
Partnering Group: The Children's Home Society of Florida
Partner Mission: Providing services across Florida that help pursue the dream of breaking the tragic cycle of abuse and neglect of children while also caring for victimized children, finding families for youth, and guiding teens and young parents toward paths filled with opportunities
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
2011
Project: Habitat Restoration Event
Partnering Group: Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's Forestry Division
New Orleans, LA
2011
Project: Home construction
Partnering Group: St. Bernard Project
Partner Mission: An organization that strives to create housing opportunities so those affected by the BP spill and Hurricane Katrina can return to their homes and communities
New York, NY
2011
Project: Community Health and Fitness Day
Partnering Group: The Children's Aid Society - Dunlevy Milbank
Partner Mission: An organization with social, recreational, educational and health programs to serve hundreds of children and families in Central Harlem
2009
Project: Delivered meals and learned about hunger
Partnering Group: Meals on Wheels/Action Center to End World Hunger
Partner Mission: Provides home-delivered meals to people in need
Oklahoma City, OK
2011
Project: Midnight Woofness Craft Day
Partnering Group: Central Oklahoma Humane Society
Partner Mission: An organization that strives to enrich the communities it serves by promoting the well-being of animals
Philadelphia, PA
2009
Project: Cleaned up in city-wide effort
Partnering Group: Philadelphia Cares
Partner Mission: Supports the creation of vibrant communities by motivating people to volunteer their time, talents, and resources
Pittsburgh, PA
2011
Project: Preparing goods for shipment to communities in need
Partnering Group: World Vision
Partner Mission: A worldwide organization, serving nearly 100 countries, committed to building a better world for children
Richmond, VA
2011
Project: Job search preparation for formerly incarcerated men and women and community restoration in a low-wealth community
Partnering Group: Boaz and Ruth
Partner Mission: An organization dedicated to restoring lives and communities
San Diego, CA
2011
Project: New Roots Community Farm, City Heights
Partnering Group: IRC New Roots Community Farm
Partner Mission: Providing space for 80 families to grow crops in the City Heights
2009
Project: Raised funds and walked 5K
Partnering Group: Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk
Partner Mission: Raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research
San Francisco, CA
2011
Project: Working in the community garden at Candlestick Point
Partnering Group: Literacy for Environmental Justice
Partner Mission: An organization that addresses the ecological and health concerns of Bayview Hunters Point and the surrounding communities of southeast San Francisco
2009
Project: Worked in a community garden
Partnering Group: Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ)
Partner Mission: Addresses the ecological and health concerns of the local community
2008
Project: Worked in community garden
Partnering Group: Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ)
Partner Mission: Addresses the ecological and health concerns of the local community
Schenectady/Capital District/Albany, NY
2011
Project: Schenectady Inner City Ministry’s Damien Center – Spring clean-up and garden work
Partnering Group: Schenectady Inner City Ministry
Partner Mission: A community drop-in center for persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS
Seattle, WA
2011
Project: Sorting food donations
Partnering Group: Northwest Harvest Food Bank
Partner Mission: An organization that strives to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while fighting to eliminate hunger
2009
Project: Sorted clothing in a warehouse
Partnering Group: Treehouse
Partner Mission: Supports children in foster care
Shanghai, China
2011
Project: Assisting with a book collection
Partnering Group: The Library Project
Partner Mission: Donates books and libraries to under-financed schools and orphanages in the developing world
Toronto, Canada
2011
Project: Serving dinner to people in need
Partnering Group: St. Felix Centre
Partner Mission: A non-profit community centre dedicated to helping individuals, families, and children experiencing challenges such as poverty, abuse, homelessness, mental illness, and addiction
Tulsa, OK
2011
Project: Assisting with the National Symposium on Race Relations & Reconciliation
Partnering Group: The John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation
2009
Project: Participated in community-wide dinner with speakers
Partnering Group: John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Dinner
Partner Mission: Transforms the damage caused by years of racial division into a hopeful future of reconciliation and cooperation
Washington, D.C.
2011
Project: Facilitating a fitness and nutrition day, including a group kickball game, healthy cooking stations, fruit and veggie taste testing, and more
Partnering Group: Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
Partner Mission: Strives for children to become motivated lifelong learners
2009
Project: Organized health and fitness fair for students and families
Partnering Group: Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
Partner Mission: Strives for children to become motivated lifelong learners
West Palm Beach, FL
2011
Project: Semi-annual clean-up of Duke-sponsored Okeechobee Blvd.
Partnering Group: Florida’s Adopt-A-Highway Program
Partner Mission: Fosters clean, green tree-lined highways that truly represent Florida’s natural beauty
Wilmington, DE
2011
Project: Planting trees as part of the 1 Million Trees Campaign for all of Delaware, southern Pennsylvania, and nearby New Jersey
Partnering Group: Delaware Center for Horticulture
Partner Mission: An organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of gardening, horticulture, and conservation
Wilmington, NC
2011
Project: Marathon Water Stop
Partnering Group: Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon
2009
Project: Did gardening/landscaping
Partnering Group: Good Shepherd Center
Partner Mission: Feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless, and aids those in crisis
Winston-Salem, NC
2011
Project: Sorting donated products in order to provide for over 400 partnering agencies in 18 counties
Partnering Group: Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC
Partner Mission: To reduce hunger and malnutrition in northwest North Carolina.
2009
Project: Packaged meals for international relief
Partnering Group: Stop Hunger Now
Partner Mission: Provides international hunger relief
2008
Project: Packaged meals for international relief
Partnering Group: Operation Sharehouse/Stop Hunger Now
Partner Mission: Provides international hunger relief