Georgetown’s D.C. Schools Project is giving students the opportunity to save money while giving to a good cause. This month, it kicked off a yearlong campaign project with the DCSP Georgetown Community Discount Card.
The card costs ten dollars and is on sale at Vital Vittles, Full Exposure and the Center for Social Justice in Poulton Hall. It can be used for discounts at several stores in and around Georgetown campus including Uncommon Grounds, Kitchen #1, Vital Vittles and Wingos. The card is valid until October 15, 2004.
All proceeds from sales will go toward the D.C. Schools Project. “The proceeds go to buying training materials, tutoring supplies for the students, even food that we give the children while they are with us,” said Albert Wat, program director of D.C. Schools.
Drew Curiel (SFS ‘05), one of the coordinators of the organization, created the idea. Curiel said that many businesses were reluctant to sign on to the idea at first, but eventually they received a large level of support.
“We like this idea because it doesn’t cost us anything, and it doesn’t cost the businesses anything. They give a one-dollar or so discount on merchandise, which in turn generates more business anyway. It’s a win-win situation,” said Curiel.
Students seem to see the benefit of the card as well. “I think that it’s a really effective fundraiser because a lot of people go to these places. A lot of people are coffee drinkers, a lot of people eat out a lot,” said Sarah Callahan (CAS ‘06).
Stephanie Bruckner (SFS’04) had a somewhat more measured response.
“I tend to lose that stuff-I’d probably be better off just giving ten dollars directly to the D.C. Schools Project. But I think it’s a great idea anyway,” she said.
The fundraising campaign coincides with the 20th anniversary of the D.C. Schools Project. Other events being planned include bringing speakers to campus and hosting a charity gala.
The D.C. Schools Project is a Georgetown-based community service program that is run by the Office of Public Service. The program has recruited and trained thousands of Georgetown students to tutor children and adults from low-income backgrounds in DC.
According to Wat, there are currently over 200 tutors working in four public schools, a community center and homes in the neighborhoods of Columbia Heights, Chinatown, Mount Pleasant and Petworth.
The Office of Public Service is part of the Center for Social Justice and Research. It is the umbrella organization for student-service groups including HOPE, the APO Service Fraternity and DC Reads.
The Center for Social Justice was founded in 2001 and includes the Office of Public Service, the Office of Research and the Office of Curriculum.
According to Wat, the Center was designed to promote an integration of community based research and service, and to combine academic work with community service.
The D.C. Schools Project was founded by Daniel Porterfield in 1984. Porterfield is currently the University’s Vice President of Public Affairs.
