Changebuilders

Changebuilder Scholars Award Winner!

Vanessa Raab (Biology, Public Health and Biochemistry, BA’21) – Drew University!
Scholars were selected through a competitive statewide application process as part of NJ Campus Compact's AmeriCorps Changebuilders program, designed to increase by at least 5,000 the number of civically engaged college graduates who show every day by their deeds their commitment to advancing a vibrant and engaged democracy, while also clearly demonstrating the skills necessary to thrive as a 21st century graduate.

Read the press release!

New Changebuilder Community Engagement Certificate: An Immersive Experience

The Changebuilder Community Engagement Certificate is a year-long immersive experience sponsored by Drew’s Center for Civic Engagement and the New Jersey Campus Compact AmeriCorps ChangeBuilder initiative. To learn more about this program and its requirements, please copy and paste this link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/cbcertificate.

Changebuilders who do not apply for the Certificate program have the opportunity to engage with surrounding communities in more flexible ways by working with their Coordinator to create a skill-building experience outside the classroom that fits any schedule and addresses issues members care about that benefit others. Find out more in the Program Overview below!

All Drew students are encouraged to apply to be a Changebuilder via the button link below, where applicants can also indicate their interest in the certificate program.

Contact Coordinator Gionna at changebuilders@drew.edu with any questions.

Changebuilders Application

The Drew Food Pantry

Serves resident and commuter students and is managed by Gionna Del Purgatorio C’20, our Drew AmeriCorps Changebuilder Coordinator in the Center for Civic Engagement. The Pantry is located on the first floor of Commons, across from the Bookstore. The food and toiletries available vary upon donations. We hope you will visit the food pantry when you’re on campus! For questions, contact Gionna at foodpantry@drew.edu.

The Pantry runs entirely on donations and the generosity of our community. In order to best meet the needs of our students, we are always looking for new community partners. If you are interested in partnering with us, contact Gionna.

Check here for the current Drew Food Pantry Hours!

Program Overview:

The Changebuilders program in conjunction with New Jersey Campus Compact (NJCC) is designed to offer Drew students the opportunity to volunteer both locally and abroad. In an effort to increase a culture of community service at Drew, this program allows students to give back to the community while refining their leadership skills, communication, global awareness and much more! As a Changebuilder, students are expected to complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service for the year. Students can also sign up for the year-long immersive experience certificate program, in which they commit to 45 total hours of service and professional development activities. Read more about it in the below section. Those who successfully complete their community service hours will be awarded a certificate at the Civic Engagement Award Ceremony.

Why be a Changebuilder?

What Impact do Changebuilders have?

In the 2018/2019 academic year, there were a total of 83 Changebuilders who gave more than 4,000 hours of community service. Our Changebuilders volunteered at local nonprofits including Dress for Success and Neighborhood House as well as traveled abroad to Merida, Mexico to work with children.
Read about Drew University former AmeriCorps Changebuilder Coordinator Alex Pearce’s C’18 impact on the local community in the fight against COVID-19.