Provost's Academic Service Learning at UT |  |
Further Information Previous Projects HistoryIn 1999, several UT students got together with Keep Austin Beautiful staff to create a one day event where 1,000 UT students could complete a sizable service project. The event, called Project 1000 for the number of students expected to participate, was set at the Rosewood Housing Complex in East Austin. Much to the surprise of all those planning the event, over 2,000 student volunteers poured into the neighborhood to participate! After witnessing such an outpouring of compassion and service, an emotional Keep Austin Beautiful and a group of UT student leaders decided the "Project" would become an annual event. The event would be renamed each year to represent a more accurate count of volunteers, as well as signify the year of the event. The Project has become one of the largest one day student and community-run service events in the nation. The event has brought together over 2,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community volunteers annually in a spirit of service to assist a local Austin neighborhood in need. And, in response to the work that the annual projects have accomplished, The Project has received numerous awards for community service.
Project 2009 – Rosewood NeighborhoodApproached by the Clinton Global Initiative – University committee to host the conference’s service project, the Project 2009 committee decided to undertake the daunting task of coordinating a two-day event. After moving the date up a week and adding Sunday work sites for an extra 500 volunteers, the committee worked non-stop to pull off our most complicated event to date. Over 1,500 volunteers came out on Valentine’s Day weekend to participate in the event on February 14 and 15, 2009. It was a record-breaking year that included our largest number of community partners, nearly five times the typical number of work sites, and our largest Community Fair, held at the Doris Miller Auditorium in Rosewood. Highlights include:
A large number of amazing volunteers also returned two weeks later to complete sites that still needed work after the weekend was over. It was an incredible effort by many different people, and the event could not have been successful without the help of everyone involved! Project 2008 – Montopolis NeighborhoodOver 1,500 UT students, faculty and staff participated in Project 2008 on February 23, 2008. Project 2008 partnered Keep Austin Beautiful, Allison Elementary, and the Montopolis Recreation Center to beautify and clean up schools, churches, community centers, and recreation areas in the Montopolis neighborhood. There were seven major clean-up and beautification sites where volunteers:
The beautiful weather for this year's event was a welcome change that kept the volunteers in high spirits all day. The Community Fair at Allison Elementary provided information for community members about local resources, as well as providing some entertainment and games for families to enjoy. The Project 2008 documentary is currently featured on the UT home page! Project 2007 - North Austin Rundberg CommunitiesOver 1,500 UT students, faculty and staff participated in Project 2007 on February 24, 2007. Project 2007 partnered with Barrington and Woolridge Elementary Schools, Lanier High School, and the North Austin Civic Association to beautify and clean up neighborhoods, schools, and creeks in the North Austin and Quail Creek communities. There were more than six major clean-up and beautification sites, where volunteers:
In addition to the service work that was completed, this year's Project incorporated a Community Fair, which served as a forum for sharing information about local resources among community members and organizations. Some of the services that were offered included free hearing and vision screenings, dental consultations, nutritional information, and financial services. Other local organizations, such as the Austin Police Department's North Central Command, set up booths to exchange information with the community, and there were fun games and activities for community families and their children. Project 2006 - St. John CommunityOn the rainy and cold morning of February 25th, 2006, volunteers and community members did not let the weather dampen their spirits. They arrived in rare fashion ready and willing to serve. Project 2006 had over 2000 students turn out to serve in the St. John neighborhood. The event focused on St. John Community Center and the area within the triangle of I-35, Hwy 290 and Hwy 183. Service work completed by the volunteers and community included:
Project 2005 - East Austin Holly/Cesar Chavez NeighborhoodOn Saturday, February 26, 2005, over 1,400 UT students arrived in East Austin, ready to volunteer despite a cold driving rain. Armed with gloves, ponchos, umbrellas, trash bags, and hand tools, students disbursed to several work sites spread throughout the Holly and Cesar Chavez neighborhoods and in total contributed over 5,000 hours of community service in one day! By the end of the day, students had accomplished multiple tasks to clean and beautify the community:
Project 2004 - Montopolis NeighborhoodThe event returned to the Montopolis Neighborhood to continue some projects from the previous year and tackle new ones. The event was centered at Allison Elementary school. A freak snow shower the night before threatened to doom the event, but despite the low temperatures and snow, over 1200 UT students still came out to complete the work:
Project 2003 - Montopolis NeighborhoodOver 2,000 UT students turned out to serve at the Montopolis Neighborhood in South-East Austin on February 15, 2003. Work centered at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park and Allison Elementary School. With the help of community members, UT volunteers, and students from other universities, Project 2003 volunteers:
Project 2002 - Bouldin Creek NeighborhoodIn 2002, the Project moved south to the central Bouldin Creek neighborhood and Becker Elementary. Project 2002 has been the most successful project to date. The 2000 volunteers completed a lot of work, setting a higher bar for Project 2003! Volunteers were able to:
Project 2001 - Springdale NeighborhoodThe Austin Parks Foundation & Parks Department joined in on the fun, when on February 17 another 2000 student volunteers focused in on Springdale Neighborhood in East Austin. Work centered on Sims Elementary School and Springdale Park. Service work completed by the volunteers included:
Project 2000 - Cesar Chavez NeighborhoodOn February 18, 2000, over 2000 UT students turned out to serve in the Cesar Chavez Neighborhood in East Austin. Work centered on Martin Middle School, and a major clean-up of a four square mile area. Thanks to the thousands of volunteers, Project 2000 achieved:
Project 1000 - Rosewood Housing ComplexProject 1000's success was evident as soon as 2,000 UT volunteers turned out to serve at the Rosewood Housing Complex in February of 1999. With the help of the community, the first Project volunteers:
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