Washington and Lee University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Washington and Lee University (W&L) has built a partnership program with the Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity Rehabilitation (hereafter referred to as Habitat) program. Through this program, W&L students serve as leaders in setting up volunteer opportunities, receive training for weatherization and home repair, and serve as volunteer labor for housing rehabilitation projects.

Habitat’s Rehab program differs from Habitat for Humanity’s traditional programming in that it focuses on rehabilitation of homes, rather than construction of new homes. As it is an arm of Habitat and not the main program, the Rehabilitation budget is much more limited. Rehab committee members actively seek partners within the community to pool funds to better address the area’s needs, and W&L augments their budget with funding received by Dominion Virginia Power.

This program began within the Office of Sustainability. W&L involvement in this program is now managed through the Shepherd Program.

The Shepherd Program's Community Based Learning Opportunties include four major programs:

1. Campus Kitchen: The mission of The Campus Kitchens Project is to use service as a way to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities. At the Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee (CKWL) we combat hunger and promote nutrition by recovering and reusing food that would otherwise go to waste into balanced meals for low-income members of the community in Rockbridge County. Volunteers also develop valuable relationships with clients.

2. The Bonner Program is a unique leadership development program for students with an interest in service and civic engagement. The program is based on the belief that students have the desire and ability to leave lasting and unique contributions through their community service. The Bonner Program provides students with the framework to continue involvement in community service, while providing financial support to help make their education more affordable. Bonners commit to 1800-hours of service and leadership training over the course of their four years in college.

3. The Community-Academic Research Alliance is a community-based research initiative that supports research partnerships between Washington and Lee University and non-profits in the Rockbridge area to address pressing community challenges. These partnerships aim simultaneously to mobilize the community for responsible social change, lay the foundation for a healthy community, and advance the education of Washington and Lee students. CARA projects can yield academic credits either in the form of independent study or course-based projects.

4. The Nabors Service League (NSL) is a student-run community service organization that strives to promote and encourage a spirit of service and to connect service with learning. By creating a volunteer profile, you can stay up to date on service opportunities within your interest areas. In addition to connecting W&L students with local agencies, the Nabors Service League hosts two community wide service days and a series of events to raise awareness of social justice issues.


https://www.wlu.edu/shepherd-program/community-based-learning-opportunities

Washington and Lee University is fortunate to be a part of the Lexington City and greater Rockbridge County, Va. community, closely sharing not only geography but myriad important resources and relationships. Washington and Lee is integrally linked to the life of the local community, and we are committed to being an active partner in promoting its well- being. The university has long provided financial and other assistance to worthwhile projects and organizations in the community on a case-by-case basis. The Community Grants program formalizes W&L's role in supporting regional organizations and activities through an accessible grant-making process.

The W&L Community Grants Committee will consider requests for financial assistance from any non-profit organization working for the benefit of the regional community and for the individuals who call it home. Requests for all types of support (programs, equipment etc.) will be considered provided that any funds granted will have a direct positive impact on members of the Lexington/Rockbridge community.

https://www.wlu.edu/presidents-office/issues-and-initiatives/community-grants-program/proposal-guidelines

Fiscal Year 2018-19 (November 2018 - March 2019)
41 Proposals Received totaling over $240,000
28 Grants Awarded totaling $60,000

W&L recently established the Office of Community Based Learning, whose staff is heavily involved in creating and maintaining community partnerships. The Office of Community-Based Learning supports, enhances and develops mutually-beneficial collaborations that enrich engaged teaching and learning and advance community interests. https://my.wlu.edu/office-of-community-based-learning