Durham resident Camayia Daniels, 11, blows into a handful of CO2-filled soap bubbles as she takes part in a science project during the city's Student U program. The program is one of about 40 that benefits from Duke's "Doing Good in the Neighborhood" employee giving campaign.

Duke Employee Giving Campaign is Nov. 3 - Dec. 1

Like most 11-year olds, Camayia Daniels likes being at school, but prefers playtime instead. Lucky for her, both of those things come together at Student U, an academic enrichment program for middle school students that receives support through the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership.

"It's like school, but just fun," Camayia said. "We do work that isn't really work, and it helps us get a better understanding of the world."

From field trips to hands-on science experiments, Daniels said that her time at Student U helps excite her about being in school and learning new things. Daniels' mother, Iris Arnette, said the changes she's seen in her daughter have been great.

"I feel like this program gives the children an opportunity to actually grow into successful adults," Arnette said. "Student U gave her a voice and leadership skills."

Student U is one of many local programs enhancing the lives of people living in and around Durham that are now included as part of an expanded employee giving campaign at Duke called Doing Good in the Neighborhood, which runs through Dec. 1.

Led by Phail Wynn Jr. Duke's vice president of Durham and regional affairs, "Doing Good in the Neighborhood" will allow faculty and staff to give directly to programs that are supported through the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership and Duke's Division of Community Health. The campaign also includes an option to contribute to United Way agencies.

As part of giving to the Duke-supported organizations, 100 percent of employee contributions will be given to the neighborhood agencies, allowing contributions to do more good because no administrative fees are deducted. The Triangle United Way takes 14.5 percent from each donation to cover administrative costs.

"There's much more to be done in our Duke-Durham partnership, and the employee contributions will allow us to expand programs and start new initiatives," said Wynn, who created a similar program while president at Durham Technical Community College. "This helps to strengthen and broaden this very important engagement the university has with the community."

Since 2001, Duke faculty and staff participation in the United Way campaign has declined, falling from a peak of 22 percent seven years ago to 7 percent last year. Monica Pallett, manager of staff and family programs at Duke, said that opening up "Doing Good in the Neighborhood" is an ideal way to get more employees involved in giving back to the community.

"It was the perfect next step," she said. "Now that Duke has well established community initiatives, it makes sense to provide Duke faculty and staff the option to give directly through our own philanthropic infrastructure."

Through "Doing Good," faculty and staff can donate to about 40 organizations and programs through six categories: academic enrichment and youth development; neighborhood growth and development; community health; community arts and academics; university engagement and a community care grant making fund. Donors have the option of selecting as many categories to give money to, which then disperses the funds to several programs.

Employees can submit a pledge form from a packet sent through campus mail or go to community.duke.edu for information or to make a donation online.

With the help of increased giving, Arnette said that kids throughout Durham have a better chance of achieving goals and learning more -- just like her daughter, Camayia.

"The programs give kids the ability to know that not everything in the world is bad and there are a lot of people out there that care about them," Arnette said.

By Bryan Roth
Writer, Office of Communication Services