Transforming Service and Civic Engagement

So... Do YOU want in? You can make an IMPACT!

Vincentian Mission Action is our entire task.

What has research shown us? 2016 National Assessment of Service and Community Engagement (NASCE) report done by Siena College Research Institute (SRI) reported: We have reasons to be proud, but we want the high IMPACT! Over 80% of NU students in 2016 have engaged in some kind of community service, significantly higher than national average of 49%. When compared to scores from 53,387 students from 2009-2016, NU students outperformed other students in all 9 areas and overall. Compared to institutions of a similar size, NU students participate in community service at a significantly higher rate (80% vs. 49%). YET… 70% of our students leave NU not feeling a deep commitment to service.

Moving from Donors of Charity To Partners in a Solution OLD: Learn and Serve New: IMPACT Sporadic Short-tem Based on partners’ immediate needs Measured by counting service hours Single semester commitment Focused on identified community needs aligned to NU mission Develops deep understanding of mission, service, collective impact, and systemic change Project-based learning throughout academic disciplines Career preparation through service Research-driven/ measured by outcomes Stresses leadership development

Niagara University’s IMPACT Model Freshmen Discover Develop an understanding of the importance of service to the mission Sophomore Plan Determine research need and plan ACTION project Junior Action Implement the project through service hours and area of expertise. Senior IMPACT Collect data, analyze project to determine if outcomes were reached and identify IMPACT Alumni Commitment to service Remain agents of change

Key Components of Niagara University’s IMPACT Model Leadership Vincentian systemic change Project-based learning Collective impact Creates an inspiring vision of the future, motivates people, and builds a team, so that it is more effective at achieving the vision. Recognize community difficulties and aims to explore long term solutions in addition to meeting basic need. Attaining much more and having greater impact when working collectively on an issue. Gain knowledge and skills with others to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.

Why we need to strengthen our commitment … Poverty Workforce development Literacy Health and Wellness Early Childhood Education Unemployment rate Niagara Falls - 11.4% Niagara County - 10% Niagara Falls 36.4% children living in poverty Niagara Falls 12.5% have Bachelor’s Degree or higher Niagara County 30% functional illiteracy rate

More Reasons from Niagara Falls… About 1 in 2 Niagara Falls residents are struggling financially 15% of Niagara Falls’ most vulnerable have urgent concerns for food 37% of the city’s at-risk population are unemployed 1 in 4 of the most vulnerable in Niagara Falls do not have health insurance 277 students dropped out of high school in 2010-11 10,900 Niagara Falls Residents are below the federal poverty level 76% of those surveyed are receiving some form of public assistance 15% of Niagara Falls residents have less than a high school education

Service from Cradle to Career Early Childhood Health and Wellness Literacy Social skills Socio-economics Education Housing Workforce development Elimination of poverty

What does IMPACT do for you? Discover your skills & put them to use Explore career possibilities Career preparation & resume building Hands-on experience outside of the classroom Develop leadership abilities Enhance communication, problem solving, and other skills Become an agent of change!

Why is this important from a career perspective Why is this important from a career perspective? Value of volunteerism - $24.00/hour Value of skills-based volunteering - $150.00/hour

The Civic 50 Companies that hire NU Grads: Aetna Inc. AT&T Citi Deloitte Fed Ex Keybank Time Warner Cable United Health Group UPS Verizon

“Action is our entire task” For more information on the key components that make up IMPACT proceed to the following modules! “Action is our entire task” St. Vincent de Paul