DU Community Notebook - Service
Civic engagement has various facets. Inevitably, service and volunteering are among the first things to come to mind as a means to connect your passions and purpose with the community. The projects described here represent only a handful of the many ways our alumni can give back to the community. Increase your impact by creating a group of DU alumni to join you in a meaningful project and enhance your volunteer or service time.
Featured Project
Environmental Learning For Kids
ELK is a non-profit, providing hands-on science education programs for youth and families, which cultivates a passion in science, leadership, and service in a diverse community of learners. As part of its focus, ELK introduces underserved youth to Colorado's natural resources. ELK immerses youth in science education, career development, and mentoring. Additionally, ELK invests in developing youth potential—invests in developing stewards, engaged citizens, and cultivating a strong educational value to ensure high school and college graduation. Call 303.371.8658
Projects
Bridge Project
The Bridge Project strives to help children and youth living in Denver's public housing neighborhoods to achieve their academic potential and graduate from high school with the resources necessary to succeed as adults.
The Bridge Project works because dedicated volunteers give generously of their time. They serve as mentors and tutors, sharing their knowledge and experience, and ultimately developing lasting friendships. Over 200 adults each year help make it possible for Bridge Project kids to succeed in school and to contribute in the building of a vibrant community.
To learn more or get involved, visit the bridge project , and select the option that's right for you.
Seeking Common Ground
Seeking Common Ground strives to empower individuals to change the world by creating peaceful communities through integration, socialization, communication, and leadership development.
Seeking Common Ground is committed to creating inclusive communities while maintaining the integrity of the group and/or individuals represented. We are interested in providing young people the skills to learn to live together with their differences and to address the difficult issues that face us all sharing this planet. The participants develop relationships that transcend race, nationality, religion, and other differences, and are a source of strength and commitment to working towards peace.
To learn more and get involved, visit Seeking Common Ground, call 303.691.2393 or e-mail info@s-c-g.org
The Spirituals Project
The Spirituals Project is a non-profit organization, based on the University of Denver campus, that includes educational programs and performing groups that seek to honor, preserve, and revitalize the sacred folk songs created by enslaved African Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Spirituals Project is a consciously multi-racial organization, demonstrating the belief that the spirituals are a gift from African Americans to all people. Spirituals uplift in times of crisis, heal, comfort and inspire, transforming individuals, communities and whole societies. The Spirituals Project invites all to experience the joy and power of this dynamic music and legacy from African Americans to the world.
Contact Name: Arthur Jones
Address: University of Denver, Sturm Hall, Room 402, 2000 E. Asbury Avenue. Denver, CO 80208
Phone: 303.871.7993
Fax: 303.871.4262
Website: www.spiritualsproject.org
Bluff Lake Nature Center
Bluff Lake Nature Center is a unique urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in east Denver. It is home to an abundance of animals and native plants, and includes a variety of native habitats.
Each year, nearly 5,000 area elementary students visit Bluff Lake as part of one of our formal education programs. Thousands of additional visitors come to Bluff Lake to enjoy a few moments of solace and connection to nature.
Bluff Lake Nature Center's mission is to "foster lifelong learning and environmental stewardship of a unique urban wildlife refuge...Bluff Lake." We encourage visitors to do this through a variety of ways. Consider becoming a volunteer or member, or simply come out for a visit and discover all that this urban wildlife refuge has to offer.
Get Smart Schools
The mission of Get Smart Schools is to stimulate and support the creation of new high performing schools serving low-income students in kindergarten through twelfth grade along Colorado's Front Range. GSS is a collaborative effort of educators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and school officials working to dramatically increase the number of new, public, high quality autonomous schools serving low-income students along the Front Range. GSS plans to increase the number of effective school leaders, available resources, and awareness of and demand for new high performing schools.
Contact Name: Mary Seawell
Phone: 303.825.6246 ext x309
Email: Mary@Getsmartschools.org
Website: www.getsmartschools.org
DU Center for Civic Engagement & Service Learning
The Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning (CCESL) leads the campus in embracing the University of Denver’s commitment of “being a great private university dedicated to the public good.” For the past two years, CCESL has been working with University College (UCAN) to bolster community engagement among DU students and alumni. It is our goal to continue to support University College in community-based learning and public good efforts at DU and connect students, alumni and university stakeholders with efforts that address critical community issues. Learn more about the DU Center for Civic Engagement & Service Learning.