We work closely with many nonprofit organizations, public agencies, government offices, schools, and certain private business where students provide community service as an integral part of their academic courses and co-curricular involvement.
Help to design meaningful, appropriate service opportunities for students
Orient students to the community site and provide essential training
Designate a qualified person to supervise students and evaluate their performance
Help the student gain experience and knowledge related to their learning objectives (outlined by the course syllabus and Student Community Learning Plan)
Contact the professor or Center for Community Learning and Leadership if challenges arise
Work with the faculty to mange risk, and to evaluate and improve future projects
Community Partners through the Office of Residential and Student Life:
Midnight Run
Each semester students collect donations of clothing, food, and toiletries to give out directly to the homeless on the streets of New York City. The Midnight Run is a non-profit that coordinates “runs” in the city for different organizations to give out items directly to those in need on the streets of NYC.
WESPAC Foundation
“WESPAC has been a leading force for progressive social change in Westchester County, New York, since 1974. We have been educating, agitating and organizing for a more just and peaceful world, an end to militarism and racism and a more fair economy that works for all. Our members are currently involved with food justice work, anti-fracking/anti-nuclear and pro-safe energy, solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, an end to militarism and drone warfare and a just resolution to the Israel/Palestine conflict.”
Great Potential
The Great Potential Program is committed to their mission, “To educate, motivate, and encourage students in our partner school districts to achieve the highest possible
levels of personal and academic success,” by broadening the range of collaborating organizations in support of students at each of our local sites. As the demographics of Westchester County shift and as academic standards for graduation in New York State increase, strong community collaborations are essential if students are to find the support and resources they need to succeed in school. The overall goals and objectives of the Great Potential Program have remained constant over the past 25 years.
Westchester MLK Institute for Nonviolence
“Creates safe spaces in our communities that empower youth and adults, and support inclusiveness, courage and peace. Through collaborative relationships, they advocate for justice, equity and shared power for all. Their work increases awareness about violence in our communities and the power of using nonviolent alternatives.Clay Arts Center.”
Clay Arts Center
“Believing strongly that the arts has the ability to touch and enrich lives; Clay Art Center’s mission is to offer a stimulating space for studio practice, exhibition and educational opportunities to better serve the community.
A champion for the arts in the community, CAC serves as an artistic and educational ceramic arts hub, committed to sharing our passion for ceramic arts with those who would otherwise not have access to ceramics and arts education. “
Center Casa Purchase
“The mission of Casa Purchase is to weave the interdisciplinary study of Latin America and Latino/a communities in the United States together with contemporary issues and concerns of the Latino population in the communities surrounding Purchase College.”
Westchester Food Bank
The Westchester Food Bank of is an organization “that fights hunger by acquiring and storing food that it distributes to more than 200 hunger-relief programs throughout New York’s Westchester County.” Our students have worked with Doug DeCandia, Community Gardner for Westchester Food Bank. In this role, Doug manages WFB’s nascent Food Growing Program, which was created to supply fresh produce for the Food Bank.
One Love Foundation
“Founded in 2010 to honor the memory of Yeardley Love, One Love works with young people across the country to raise awareness about the warning signs of abuse and activate communities to work to change the statistics around relationship violence.” By meeting young people where they are, using emotionally powerful and compelling digital tools to inspire and mobilizing a generation to change the social climate that tolerates abuse; One Love has hosted over 890 workshops on college campuses, reaching thousands of students.
Community Voices Heard
”Community Voices Heard (CVH) is a member-led multi-racial organization, principally women of color and low-income families in New York State that builds power to secure social, economic and racial justice for all. We accomplish this through grassroots organizing, leadership development, policy changes, and creating new models of direct democracy.”
Veterans of Westchester
”Veterans of Westchester is a 501(c)3 charity established locally to aid those men and women of the armed services who have so valiantly fought for our freedom during all of our nation’s conflicts, and provided us protection at times of peace. Our goal is to raise community awareness and involvement on behalf of the veterans by soliciting clothing donations throughout the county of Westchester.“
In spring 2016, resident students donated over 3,300 pounds of clothing!
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical
Has “set the standard for family-centered, compassionate care in an environment which will attract outstanding physicians and staff; to impart healing, wellness, and knowledge to all children and families and to be an advocate for children’s health in the extended community.”
In fall 2016, freshman students donated over 120 activity bags that each included coloring books, crayons, markers, and two games.
Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
“Provides housing and human services that support social and economic independence.”
If you are a student that is interested in becoming involved with one of these organizations or an organization looking to become a Community Partner, please contact ceg.service.trip@purchase.edu or the Service Learning Course Instructors.
