New Initiative Provides Fresh Opportunities to Support the St. Louis Community
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) has introduced a comprehensive volunteer initiative titled WashU Serves, which underscores the institution’s commitment to enhancing the local community under its guiding principle of “In St. Louis, For St. Louis.” This year-round program is designed to engage the university community in meaningful volunteer opportunities, fostering a culture of service and civic responsibility among faculty, staff, and students.
In collaboration with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, WashU Serves aims to facilitate greater involvement from its diverse university community through various initiatives. Notably, the program features Service Saturdays, an annual United Way giving campaign, and an innovative volunteer portal that streamlines the sign-up process for participants. By offering these platforms, WashU Serves intends to make community engagement more accessible and impactful.
Chancellor Andrew D. Martin emphasized the significance of community involvement, stating, “Every day, our WashU faculty, staff, and students make our community healthier and more resilient. WashU Serves extends that vital work, giving every member of our WashU community additional opportunities to make a difference in our hometown.” This initiative is a continuation of WashU’s longstanding tradition of community service, which aims to create a positive difference across the St. Louis region.
WashU Serves will support an extensive network of 160 partner agencies funded by the United Way. Staff at the university are encouraged to contribute to the United Way’s annual campaign, where they can opt for one-time or monthly donations through Workday, further bolstering the financial resources available for community assistance.
The “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” office launched Service Saturdays following a tornado that affected the region, catalyzing significant volunteer efforts. To date, WashU employees and their families have collectively contributed over 1,300 hours to recovery initiatives in the aftermath of the disaster.
The WashU Serves program has scheduled several upcoming volunteer events. Activities will include support for Family Forward on October 18, Forest ReLeaf on November 15, and Food Outreach on December 20. For more details, interested participants can refer to the WashU Serves webpage. Due to limited capacity, advance registration is recommended for these programs.
Additionally, the WashU community is invited to take part in assembling hygiene kits for United Way partner agencies during the Service2Go event scheduled from October 21 to 23 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the WashU Medical Campus. The community can also discover more about local service providers at the United Way Campaign and Volunteer Fair on November 6 in Holmes Lounge on the Danforth Campus.
Each year, the United Way of Greater St. Louis significantly impacts the lives of over one million individuals across Missouri and Illinois, working diligently with partner nonprofits to address fundamental needs, stabilize neighborhoods, support young learners, and respond to crises. Through partnerships like the one with WashU, this initiative aims to further extend its reach and effectiveness in serving the community.
