BYU Attends 2009 UNICEF Campus Initiative Conference

On June 19-21, 2009, the 2009 leaders of the BYU UNICEF club, Cami Rooney, Janise Anderson, Brad Stringfellow, and Michael Williams, attended the 2009 UNICEF Campus Initiative Leadership Summit in New York City at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s headquarters. It was three intense days of training covering all aspects of the Campus Initiative movement. The conference was organized around the goal that no children should have to die from preventable causes. Each day, 25,000 children die from preventable causes and UNICEF will work until that number is zero. The summit provided UNICEF Campus leaders an opportunity to share best practices, participate in skill building and knowledge building workshops, and bring the most recent resources for UNICEF Campus Clubs back to their communities. Cami Rooney, 2009 BYU UNICEF President commented that “it was an amazing opportunity to advocate for the day when zero children die from preventable causes, and work with others who are doing the same on campuses all across the country. I was very excited to represent BYU, and meet so many dedicated students who are making a difference.”  Brigham Young University was among the 32 colleges and universities represented at the conference.  Skyler Stevenson, 2007/09 BYU UNICEF President also attended as part of the UNICEF staff organizing the conference, as well as a member of the Campus Initiative National Council. 

(L-R) Skyler Stevenson, Michael Williams, Janise Anderson, Cami Rooney, Brad Stringfellow

Last Meeting of Winter Semester-April 15, 2009

 

The semester has finally come to a close. So many wonderful things have been accomplished this year thanks to you! Please come to our last meeting of the semester! We will be discussing this years and next years projects, hearing from the always entertaining Warner Woodworth (our amazing faculty advisor), and enjoying pizza! 

Maybe it has been awhile since you came, but make an effort to come on April 15th. We will be planning for next year! 

When: Wednesday April 15, 2009

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Room 370 BRMB (Brimhall Building Conference Room, Across from the Testing Center)

Call Robert Cowan at (949) 244-9945 if you are lost!

PIZZA for all those in attendance!

Utah Tap on BYU Campus

Water Drops Falling in the Wilk. 

Utah Tap Project

March 22-28, 2009

 

Over the last year, Brigham Young University students have been working as volunteers as part of the 2009 Tap Project. It has been a phenomenal campaign that has taken the best efforts of students in advertising, public relations, and the dedication of over 100 student volunteers. 

Click on the following media for articles about Brigham Young Universities involvement in the Tap Project for 2009. 

Deseret News Editorial

Below is some of the internationally recognized work created by students in the BYU AdLab.

Volunteer-Children’s Justice Center

This last Saturday BYU UNICEF spent the morning volunteering at the Children’s Justice Center in Provo Utah. Several hours were spent cleaning and organizing the center for its crucial work. The center is “a homelike facility which serves children and families who are experiencing the crisis and chaos that comes with the disclosure of significant physical or sexual abuse of a child. The center is designed to help children feel safe and comfortable so that they may begin to deal with the difficult and often frightening issues that surround abuse.”

BYU UNICEF was grateful to assist the center in its great work for the local community. Laura Blanchard, the Director of the Utah County Children’s Justice Center sent the following letter thanking the club for its efforts. Ms. Blanchard said:

“Thank you so much for your groups interest in and support for the children in our community. Your gift of service through BYU UNICEF’s efforts are greatly appreciated by the Utah County Children’s Justice Center in behalf of the children and families who are served here.”

 

Child Protection and Human Rights Lecture

On Thursday February 5th,  Professor Michael M O Seipel from the BYU Social Work Department gave an insightful lecture about the current state of street children in Ghana. His remarks were based upon a recent paper published in the International Social Work Journal titled  “Survival Strategies of Street Children In Ghana: A Qualitative Study.” Professor Seipel has done extensive research on topics such as welfare-reform, poverty and health care in developing countries.  He has also received several awards in education and speaking. Thank you Professor Seipel for spending your valuable time with us. 

Professor Seipel was asked the question (paraphrased) “does all the work from non-profit organizations actually help to rehabilitate children, or do children start to to rely on the aid of humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF?” Professor Seipel responded by using the analogy of a fish out of water.  When a fish jumps out, do we figuratively council the fish and tell it what it has done wrong, or what it needs to change? Yes, but it may die. If we throw the fish back in the bowl every time the fish jumps out, then it may never learn. Professor Seipel suggested that there needs to be a balance of both, and that is where the expertise of non-profits comes to play. 

An Update from Cambodia

This is the first photo we have recieved from Dr. Jini Roby, an associate Professor at BYU, who is currently working for UNICEF in Cambodia.  

Dr. Roby writes in response to BYU UNICEF’s question about her experience so far: 

“…there are many individual stories, but the most important one is the powerful collective story of war, genocide, and the amazing spirit of resiliency and renewal here in Cambodia. I am loving my experience with UNICEF. My colleagues are truly wonderful, dedicated people who care deeply about children and families. I wish you could all visit me and see the great work that is going on here. I think of you often and congratulate you on your efforts to learn and grow in mind, heart and spirit.” 

An Amazing Trip to Camp “K”

On Saturday January 24, BYU UNICEF club members traveled to the Kostopulos Dream Foundation in Salt Lake City. Camp K, is an organization that provides fun community based activities for individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities.  We had a blast snowshoeing and singing karaoke with the campers. High School Musical 2 was the definite hit! After such an amazing experience we all look forward to returning soon. 

A Special Visit from UNICEF

On Thursday January 22, the BYU UNICEF club was privileged to be visited by Linda Naugle. Ms. Naugle is the Senior Major Gifts Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Linda spent over two hours of her very busy schedule meeting with the BYU AdLab and sharing her experiences with the BYU UNICEF club about her trip to Rwanda last year. One of the wonderful moments that Linda shared was when she was traveling in a UNICEF vehicle in Rwanda. As they traveled down the dusty roads, people cheered with excitement as the vehicle passed.  Thank you Linda Naugle for your inspiring visit. 

UTAH TAP Project – Launch

The Utah TAP Project has begun!  There was a flurry of excitement this last Wednesday, with students getting ready to recruit restaurants across the state of Utah. If you missed out, we still can use your help! Training will start on Wednesday January 28th. Please email us for information.