From the judges: The creativity of the CU Cares nomination is what truly makes this a winning submission. Having this be a true engagement initiative was a sincere showing of how the institution cares for its community. The impact of their outreach was so meaningful for the volunteers as well as those they were calling.
CU Cares
Category
Alumni Relations > Volunteer Engagement
Description
Award: Gold
Institution: Concordia University
Title of Entry: CU Cares
About this Entry: Soon after the onset of the pandemic, Concordia president Graham Carr asked for a swift and strategic mobilization of local alumni to help support vulnerable community members. From this request, the CU Cares volunteer initiative was created.
This collaboration between University Advancement and the Concordia LIVE Centre (the University’s volunteer office), is a two-pronged approach to outreach and connection. In-person volunteer opportunities connect students, faculty, staff and alumni with local community organizations in need of extra assistance during the pandemic. Virtual outreach has been created through isolation calls to senior alumni.
The success and popularity of this program has allowed for further collaborations over the past few months with colleagues from other areas of the university adopting the name for their own volunteer connections.
CU Cares was a call to action; alumni answered.