The America East Conference and College For Every Student, a
national non-profit that helps underserved kids attend college, had another
successful year of community service in partnership with all nine institutions, particularly last month's Student Service Day which engaged scholar-athletes from America East Universities
with CFES scholars at participating schools in community service projects,
ranging from uplifting school grounds to collecting food and shoes for charity.
"Our partnership with CFES is a real win-win for all
involved and we highly value the relationship," said Mike Lynch, Assistant
Vice President and Director of Athletics at Boston University during their
service day. "The children involved in the CFES program get a unique
"window to the world" through introduction to BU and our
student-athletes. Our student-athletes gain insights into the challenges that
today's urban youth face as they confront everyday living. This is a tremendous
educational experience for all of us."
Just part of the many activities that occurred in the
America East communities, Boston University
partnered with Jackson Mann students to educate the students on the process
of applying to college and the experience of being a college
student. Also, the student-athletes then
traveled to Jackson Mann to paint murals and clean up the surrounding areas of
the school.
Student-athletes from the University of Vermont who partnered with the Burlington Integrated Arts Academy held its eco-friendly activity session with the campus community. Working with the Vermont Eco-Reps, scholars and community members learned about the importance of recycling and also created rockets out of recycled materials.
University of New Hampshire student-athletes organized Soles4Souls this year alongside students from the Newmarket Junior High School. Through the event, there were over 1,100 pair of shoes donated to the cause. Out in Stony Brook, NY, the student-athletes from Stony Brook University also took part in food and shoe drives, which included donations to Walk for Beauty throughout the semester.
UMBC student-athletes worked side by side Arbutus
Middle School scholars in Baltimore to take part in a spring cleaning. Students planted trees and cleaned up the
areas of the school in preparation for the summer months. Also
partnering with a local school, the University of Hartford and the Hartford
Magnet School spent the day beautifying the Magnet School’s campus by planting
trees, flowers and cleaning up the grounds.
University at Albany worked with the Hackett Middle School and created clinics that educated and taught kids in the neighborhood about healthy living and staying active. In Orono the University of Maine partnered with the Lewis Libby School and started a BackPack Food program for the community and hosted numerous food drives throughout the semester.
In Vestal, NY, Binghamton
student-athletes and middle schoolers from the West Middle School served their
community by cleaning up the Danielle House, a temporary home for
outpatients seeking respite during a medical crisis or medical treatment. “It is
always great to get out and help your community,” junior soccer player Jake
Keegan said.
About CFES
College For Every Student (www.collegefes.org) is a
non-profit organization that has created college-access partnerships with more
than 500 schools across the country serving more than 100,000 students. CFES
partners K-12 schools with colleges to implement three primary core practices:
Pathways to College-- college visits, and partnerships with colleges and
college students; Peer Mentoring-mentee/mentor relationships; and Leadership
Through Service-leadership development workshops and community service. For
more information, please visit www.collegefes.org, or call 518-963-4500.