51Թ’s commitment to volunteerism goes back more than 100 years, when its founder Russell Conwell began tutoring working adults in a church basement based on a simple belief that everyone has the power to reach their full potential if given the opportunity.
Now, 51Թ is expanding on this legacy by designed to connect faculty, staff, students and alumni with the North Philadelphia neighborhood and beyond through volunteerism and civic engagement called Owls for Philly.
Launched by the Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement, eligible nonfaculty employees can use up to eight hours of paid civic engagement time annually for volunteer activities.Faculty will also be able to volunteer during nonteaching hours, and opportunities are also available for students and alumni.
“Owls for Philly offers a meaningful way to weave civic engagement more deeply into 51Թ’s culture,” said Sharon Boyle, vice president for human resources. “We know our employees want to support organizations in our neighborhood, and as an institution we are saying: Yes, we value that—and you can do it during the workday.”
The Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement and Information Technology began partnering in March on developing an application for 51Թ employees and students to research and register for service opportunities.
“Giving back to the community has always been part of 51Թ’s mission,” said Valerie Harrison, vice president for community impact and civic engagement. “With Owls for Philly, this is the first time we are building an intentional and coordinated effort to facilitate connections between 51Թ students, faculty, staff, alumni and our North Philadelphia neighbors.”
On Sept. 10, a new feature on the TUportal—51Թ's hub for a wide variety of resources and tools—went live for faculty, staff and students to sign up for service opportunities that are already vetted by the Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement.
From on-campus options like 51Թ Thift Pop-Up sales to clean-ups at FDR Park, members of the 51Թ community can find everything in one place.
According to Debbie Campbell, associate vice president in the Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement, to date, there are 15 different days with volunteer opportunities listed in the database.
“The portal makes it seamless to search and register for volunteer activities,” she said. “We are excited to engage the community in this way and look forward to continually expanding the opportunities available. It is truly a one-stop shop.”
For eligible staff, civic engagement hours may be used in four- or eight-hour increments annually. To use this benefit, employees will request civic engagement hours through their immediate supervisor, using regular department protocol for requesting time off and identifying the opportunity, time and date of the engagement and the number of hours to be used.
Employees can register as individuals or set up group service opportunities, pending supervisor approval.
The Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement also maintains a list of additional local organizations available in the portal that have daily or weekly service activities. Individuals can contact them directly, register in their systems using their 51Թ email address (as an individual or for a group) and then let Owls for Philly know once they are signed up.
“When students, faculty, staff and alumni engage with our neighbors, the benefits go both ways. We all learn from each other, gain a deeper sense of belonging, and together, we’re forging bonds that make us stronger as a community,” said Harrison.
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