Community Impact is a non-profit

organization at Columbia University dedicated to engaging

Columbia students in direct service and learning through participation in volunteer programs that address the

needs of various disadvantaged communities in Harlem, Morningside

Heights, Washington Heights, and other surrounding areas. There are

over 25 programs within the organization through which about

950 student volunteers are currently forming relationships with members of the surrounding community and

having a positive effect on their lives. Both a full-time staff and a student

executive board form another essential aspect of the organization,

as they hard to ensure that the programs are run efficiently and

successfully, consistently meeting the needs of the particular community being served. CI always encourages

volunteer involvement from all within the Columbia community, and

welcomes thoughts on improvements or changes that may be desirable for

the organization as a whole, or certain programs in particular.

“[We] brightened each others’ day.” – Miriam, CILP Volunteer with Peace-by-Peace

Community Impact

Contact

at Columbia University

As students who live in Morningside heights, we have the opportunity to make a huge impact. We can tutor young children, feed the homeless, and even help adults gain their GED certificate. Through CI, you have the power to do all of these things and much more; all you have to do is join one (or many!) of CI’s many student groups. As students at Columbia University, it is one of our responsibilities to give back and to help out the community that we now call home, and you can do that through Community Impact.

communityimpactatcu.org

twitter.com/CommunityImpact

cilp@columbia.edu

The Community Impact Leadership Program (CILP) is a program for all first years who are interested in becoming involved in community service at Columbia and are eager to work with the CI student executives to plan events, learn more about the organization, and help spread awareness of community service opportunities on campus. Once a week, I teach conflict resolution with

Peace-by-Peace, a CI group, at a homeless shelter in the Bronx. We teach the little tricks our mothers taught us: “taking three breaths before you speak” or “saying you’re sorry.” Mike is one of my students. At age seven, he shows signs of incapacitating autism. Because of his financial situation, he will likely not stay in school for any significant amount of time. And even if he did, the facilities at the inner city schools are limited for the mentally or physical impaired. With such few options, his fate is almost already defined. As class was finishing up last week, Mike sat alone at the table staring vacantly at the window, paper and crayons an untouched array in front of him. We were having the kids draw aspects of their identity. The teacher had drawn a picture of Mike bowling. “Do you want to tell me about your picture?” I tired. His eyes ignited. A huge smile drew across his face. As his mother came in, I had his hand in mine and we were adding friends and family to the picture. We drew me (a large ball of red, I suppose symbolic of my red hair) right next to him at the bowling alley. I know CI volunteers aren’t going to change institutional problems with only a few hours of their time. Our job is to offers people like Mike the attention that institutions or systems may not be able to provide. In that simple moment, Mike and I brightened each other’s day. What could possibly be more valuable than that?

Van Amson Service Fellowship:

All Columbia and Barnard undergraduates can apply to receive housing and a $3000

stipend to fund an unpaid summer service or nonprofit internship.

My first time volunteering with Community Lunch, I was pleasantly surprised at how hands-on it was. Not only did I assist in cooking and preparing the meal, but also was able to deal directly with the homeless and low-income guests. Instead of treating them with pity, I was able to interact with them as fellow human beings with similar needs, desires and beliefs. The atmosphere was light and enjoyable; the great food, music and entertainment served to make the experience truly remarkable. - Ari, CILP volunteer

Victoria Fox ’12, Film Studies & Philosophy: Submitted a proposal

to CI to create a video over the summer in which she interviewed

directors and captured different aspects of the organization. When

applying, she brought a unique perspective, combining her

interests to provide something that CI lacked. She gained a lot of freedom, compensation, and

connections as a Fellow as opposed to other options. The

experience has helped her become a better program coordinator and

film student within CTV.

youtube.com/ciexecs

EarthCo CI volunteers