Many Washington University students dedicated this past summer to making a difference in communities all over the world, but some chose to stay in St. Louis.  The Gephardt Institute’s Social Change Grant recipients, Goldman Fellows, and Wellston Summer School Program participants are all examples of students who worked to make an impact in the local community.

After a rigorous selection process led by the Institute’s Community Service Office, Social Change Grant recipients Jacob Siegel and Maxwell Woods both engaged local partners to lead successful youth programs. Jacob conducted a six-week program called “Inner City, Inner Peace,” that presented the Japanese martial art aikido to middle school students in an effort to transform the destructive force of violence into a source of personal strength. Maxwell’s “Lemp Summer Music Program” provided underprivileged young musicians with the opportunity to further their music education. The program culminated in a concert on the University’s campus that showcased the student’s progress.

The Goldman Fellows Program supported ten undergraduates who secured unpaid summer internships at nonprofit organizations in the St. Louis region. All of these students were given substantive responsibilities that furthered their professional and personal development. Olivia Jahn, for example, helped organize the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, one of the largest fundraising events in the area for breast cancer research and treatment. Jonathan Deng worked with The Mission Continues to assist wounded veterans in securing public service placements.

This past summer the Community Service Office once again ran the Wellston Summer School Program to assist underserved high school students with test preparation, college exploration, and the development of leadership and communication skills. One of the major projects this year was led by WU junior Victoria Williams, who worked with 15 students from the Wellston school district to implement a student government in their high school. While it was not easy, the process helped empower students to have a voice in school administration and taught them about responsibility and leadership.

Each summer a number of dedicated Washington University students from around the country decide to stay in St. Louis and make a difference in their adopted community. Those from the area also forgo study abroad or internships elsewhere to continue the University’s investment in the region.  Recognizing their impact, the Gephardt Institute and the Institute’s Community Service Office are proud to operate several programs to support these endeavors.