To support Yale students' community service work for nonprofit agencies and initiatives throughout the City of New Haven, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded the University $300,000 in federal work-study funding, the highest supplemental award made to any college or university in the country.
The grant recognizes the contribution made by the 200 participating undergraduate, graduate and professional students who last year logged approximately 42,000 hours in community service jobs. The federally funded Work-Study Supplemental Grant Program is in its second year of operation. In 1995-96, Yale's award of $195,000 was the nation's third-highest. The $300,000 grant supplements an award made to the University earlier this year to fund all work-study employment on and off campus.
"Yale is extremely gratified that the Department of Education has renewed our federal work-study award with a 50 percent increase," said Donald Routh, the University's director of financial aid, in announcing the grant.
The federal work-study program provides income to students who, as part of their financial aid package, assume part-time employment along with their studies. The supplemental grant provides 75 percent of a student's salary; the employing agency provides the remaining 25 percent. All $300,000 of Yale's grant will be spent on funding community service jobs.
Among the dozens of agencies Yale students serve are the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, the U.S. Grant Foundation, Calvin Hill Day Care Center and Habitat for Humanity. Participating students also work in municipal departments on such projects as the Livable City Initiative and City Plan.
Kalyanee Mam '99 of Morse College is in her second year of work-study community service. Last year, she worked in the Children's Room of the New Haven Free Public Library; this year, she's at Global Learn, assisting the education coordinator with Internet searches on the Silk Road, Marco Polo's route to the Orient. Global Learn designs a World Wide Web page for elementary school children which assists youngsters from all over the world in getting to know each other. Ms. Mam says she loves being a part of that: "I hope to have a career in international development so I wanted to find a Work-Study job that would give me some useful experience. At Global Learn, I'm getting that experience, working quickly under deadlines and having a good time, actually."
According to Janet Lindner, chief executive officer for the City of New Haven, "We've found Yale work-study students to be a tremendous asset. What impresses me is that they're willing to do anything to help. At such a young age, they demonstrate such professionalism. The grant is wonderful, and well deserved."
"Our work-study students are absolutely wonderful," adds Frances "Bitsie" Clark, executive director of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. "We've even found that in addition to working their assigned hours, our students will then volunteer their time. That's their level of commitment."
"Community service work-study is an essential part of the University's efforts to promote economic development, human development, and neighborhood revitalization with the city and citizens of New Haven," comments Michael Morand, assistant secretary for education and human development in the University's Office of New Haven Affairs. "Work-study is particularly effective because some of the best minds and hearts of the University -- our students -- work side by side with their neighbors in New Haven."
In addition to the 200 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who are employed in community service, over 2,600 Yale College students also volunteer their time. Dwight Hall, in operation since 1886, is the major center for coordinating student service, outreach, and advocacy participation in New Haven's civic and community organizations.