Alexandria, VA (May 19, 2014) – Last week, United Way Worldwide recognized nine Student United Way clubs on college campuses across the United States, celebrating their innovative approaches to giving, advocating and volunteering to improve lives and communities.
“In talking about the importance of our Millennial volunteers, we have a tendency to describe them as ‘future leaders’,” said Edwin Goutier, Manager of Young Adult Engagement, United Way Worldwide. “These awards show that our college students are ready to be leaders in the United Way movement right now.”
Student United Ways exist on nearly eighty college campuses around the world and have recently expanded to include some high school clubs.
2014 winners:
- For raising $25,000 through special events to support Summer of Service internships for youth in their community, the GIVE Promising Practice Award goes to Student United Way of Cornell University.
- For hosting a multi-day poverty simulation in conjunction with the 50 year anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, the ADVOCATE Promising Practice Award goes to Student United Way of Rutgers University – New Brunswick.
- For generating over 3,000 service hours through local volunteer activities and a service trip to United Way Alternative Spring Break in Biloxi, Mississippi, the VOLUNTEER Promising Practice Award goes to Student United Way of Palm Beach State College.
- For contributing $1,000 in seed funding for United Way Youth Venture programs in local schools and mentoring high school students to become social entrepreneurs, the EDUCATION Promising Practice Award goes to Student United Way of Ithaca College.
- For providing Thanksgiving dinners to low-income families through a campaign that allowed students to donate money from their campus meal plan, the INCOME Promising Practice Award goes to Student United Way of Towson University
- For informing their fellow students of health care coverage options in the Affordable Care Act through an online campaign and on-the-ground information sessions the HEALTH Promising Practice Award goes to Student United Way of University of California - Riverside
- For her dedication to club members and for securing $6,800 in student activity fees for 2015 Alternative Spring Break, Campus Advisor of the Year goes to Amber Berman of Lincoln Land Community College
- For her leadership, dedication and creativity in bridging the town-gown divide, the Student Leader of the Year goes to Anna Rayis of Anderson University
- For a year of giving, advocating and volunteering that generated 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food, 1,300 children’s books, the Arizona Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, and $70,000 raised through their first student campaign, the Campus Organization of the Year Award goes to Student United Way of Arizona State University
Winning clubs will be invited to share their promising practices at the annual Student United Way conference in Alexandria, VA in September.
About United Way
United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org
About Student United Way
Student United Way is a network of high school and college student organizations on more than 80 campuses in four countries. Members of these student-led organizations give, advocate and volunteer to improve lives in their community while developing valuable leadership skills. By focusing their passion, expertise and unique skillsets on education, income and health issues, Student United Ways create lasting change on campus and in the community. For more information, please visit: UnitedWay.org/student