Student Engagement

United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) Student Programs support program participants’ development as decision-makers and leaders while increasing their understanding of strategic charitable giving

Student United Way Programs at each academic level are designed to increase civic engagement and develop skills in the areas of problem-solving, community assessment, financial management, program evaluation, grantmaking, team building, leadership, and communication. The goal is to provide area youth with community engagement and problem-solving experience.

Focus On Community and Understanding Service (F.O.C.U.S.) 
Youth and Philanthropy (YAP)
Cornell University Student United Way
Ithaca College United Way Philanthropy Corps
TC3 Student United Way

Looking for a summer internship?
If you are a high school student, click here to read more about the Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Internships.

College student internships at United Way of Tompkins County provide experience to students entering college or who currently attend college through their work supporting UWTC’s student engagement initiatives. Student intern benefits include nonprofit organizational skills and knowledge building along with mentoring opportunities. Interns’ primary responsibilities include program marketing and communications, correspondence with participants, meeting and training support, grant application coordination, program evaluation and reporting, and web-based design and communications. If you are a student interesting an applying for a UWTC intership, please contact Meg Cole, mcole@uwtc.org, or call 607.272.6286.

Program Components

In 2000, The Park Foundation provided the initial funding for United Way of Tompkins County's first Youth and Philanthropy Initiative. Ten years later, over 500 students from every school district in the T-S-T BOCES District have participated in one of United Way of Tompkins County's Youth and Philanthropy Programs.

United Way of Tompkins County participated with United Ways across the nation to provide support for starting and expanding local student initiatives. UWTC was one of 12 pilot sites for a national food and school supply drive on college campuses. UWTC was the only site that engaged three campuses. The school supply drive, Stuff the Bus, took place in coordination with the annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring Food and Personal Care Items Drive. Approximately 450 school items and over four tons of food were collected. The school supplies went to an estimated 150 children in area high schools and middle schools and the food/personal care items were distributed to area food pantries. Each campus initiative is represented at the national level through our participation in the Student United Way Learning Circles.

How effectiveness is measured

Students in both the high school and middle school programs complete assessments of their awareness of community needs and philanthropy. On-going evaluative testing takes place throughout the experience to ensure that the students are retaining information.  Immediate adjustments are made to address any situational conditions to ensure success. Participants complete pre and post-tests to assess the differences in their knowledge directly related to the measurable outcomes before and after program participation.

Participant follow-ups in the form of online surveys administered through social media pathways take place at various points in time to assess program effectiveness. Long-term evaluative processes are in place to continue to measure the Student United Way activities effectiveness.

How goals are acheived: Key Collaboratations

• All Tompkins County High Schools, Tompkins Seneca Tioga BOCES and Home Schooled settings are YAP partners. To increase program visibility and to recruit future participants, UWTC has participated in several year-end award ceremonies through area schools. This activity may have contributed to an increased number of YAP nominees this year with a total of 20 participants and several students on a wait list. Cornell University provides training staff, resources and space for the YAP Program. TST BOCES provides meeting space and technical support.
  
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Rural Youth Services Program is the key partner in the FOCUS Program delivery and provides critical staff time and program resources. The Town of Danby provided meeting space for FOCUS 2010.
• UWTC partners with Cornell University School of Human Ecology to support the course, Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector, and serves as the administrator for grant applications.
• UWTC partners with Ithaca College’s Center for Student Leadership and Involvement for the United Way Stone Soup Program.

United Way of Tompkins County collaborates with these organizations to identify and engage emerging leaders, increase community awareness of important issues and philanthropic activities while providing essential resources to area nonprofits.