Build It Community Engagement Initiative: Overview

The Build It project has evolved from the University's earlier community service efforts, largely due to students’ interest in transforming such events as Community Service Day, the Merriewood Miracle, and Habitat for Humanity home builds into longer-term campus-wide service initiatives with a sustained, positive impact on Richmond area neighborhoods.  Now coordinated by the Center for Civic Engagement, Build It brings the University into collaborative partnership with nonprofit and governmental agencies.  It links service with courses and educational programs on campus.  Build It participants work to effect change through a variety of activities ranging from tutoring to renovation projects to collaborative research.  The educational component of Build It is developed with the understanding that continuing “real-world” experiences deepen students’ engagement with their academic work.

Build It is led by a steering committee of students, faculty, staff and community partners who work together to engage the campus and community through service and education.  The project seeks to utilize participants’ existing talents while encouraging them to learn through their Build It experience.  The overall goal of the initiative is to make a lasting impact on community needs and on those organizations and individuals that participate.

Build It participants benefit from the support of financial sponsors and partner organizations in the host community.  For 2006 and 2007, the key community partners include Richmond Public Schools; Overby-Sheppard Elementary School, Chandler Middle School, John Marshall High School, the Hotchkiss Field Community Center, and the nonprofit agencies Boaz & Ruth, Partnership for Families – Northside, Reach Out and Read Virginia, and the William Byrd Community House.  Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity is an ongoing partner in the University’s community service efforts.