George Washington University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

GW has an ongoing formal partnership with DC Public Schools to support out of school time programs and community partnerships in 8 elementary and middle schools and in 3 offices at DCPS central office. The programs are focused on the development of community gardens, food insecurity, and educational equity. Vulnerable populations are included through parent engagement including through the parent-teacher organizations. GW provides funding support both by raising outside funds and through hard dollars for program support - staffing, training, transportation, etc. serve.gwu.edu

GW provides a biennial opportunity to support GW students and a community partner in their social entrepreneurial efforts to address environmental and social justice issues in Washington, D.C. Projects address the idea that all people regardless of race, income, culture, and social class have the right to a decent quality of life and deserve equal protection from environmental and public health hazards. The projects have both environmental AND social impact in an underserved or low-income neighborhood. All projects are done in partnership with a local community based organization, such that the community itself has input on the project and decision making as well as the long-term viability of the project. GW provides students, mentors, and community partners with funds for the projects. https://sustainability.gwu.edu/eco-equity-challenge-0

The DC Climathon at GW provides student and citizen innovators with the financial resources, mentors, and support to launch start-ups that address sustainability and climate change in the District of Columbia. Winning solutions are designed for and with vulnerable populations in the District of Columbia, address social equity and environmental impact, and are based on a economically viable business model. Winners are awarded financial and mentorship support. Teams are trained to connect with community members and organizations to test and launch their start-ups.

1. Grow & Miriam's Kitchen - GW students with support from the Office of Sustainability run the GW GroW Community Garden on campus. The university provides the funding, space, permitting, materials, promotion, and other resources to maintain the garden. The garden program has important ties to and is a resource for the local community. The garden has a partnership with Miriam’s Kitchen - a local soup kitchen in the neighborhood - and donates 1,000 pound of produce each year since 2012. Several community groups volunteer in the garden to learn about urban gardening including local middle and high school students, the GW Neighbors project, Foggy Bottom residents, and residents from the local senior living center at St. Mary’s Court. All of these efforts help to address food justice and equity in the urban setting.

2. Community Art & Stormwater Project – GW has secured funding from the Department of Energy and Environment, and has formed a collaboration at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) whose mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of Ward 8 in Washington, DC. The project is resulting in community engagement at Washington School for Girls in building stormwater management systems in the neighborhood. The girls are using art to educate their peers, family, and the community about the systems. Stormwater runoff affects the quality of life in the area through flooding and more broadly in the Cheseapeake Bay, as well. GW's participating is led by the Biology Department, ArtReach, and the Honey Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service.

3. Alt-Breaks - The GW Alternative Breaks program offers winter and spring break trips to both domestic and international locations. Each trip has its own unique service area, from sustainability to education to labor rights. Students receive training in advance of the trip, and the student-run organization maintains ongoing partnerships with community organizations. GW Alt Breaks trips offer GW students the opportunity to be global citizens and leaders in communities around the world as they contribute to social, environmental, and economic development hosted by community partners.

4. Civic House Academic Residential Community - This program for first-year students interested in becoming active citizens engaged in their communities challenges students to learn about the unique cultures, strengths, and needs of communities in Washington, D.C. and build collaborative relationships among students, faculty, and community-based organizations to meet needs and learn through service. All Civic House students will live together on campus. Civic House is a program of GW’s Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service.

http://sustainable.dc.gov/publication/green-ribbon-committee

https://sustainability.gwu.edu/dc-mayors-college-and-university-sustainability-pledge

http://serve.gwu.edu/civic-house

http://smhs.gwu.edu/rodhaminstitute/events/archive

https://sustainability.gwu.edu/volunteer-grow-garden
https://serve.gwu.edu/artreach-thearc
https://serve.gwu.edu/alternative-breaks
http://serve.gwu.edu/civic-house