Social Responsibility
Who We Are
We are warriors who care and understand that volunteer work offers an opportunity for our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and communities to engage in activities that affect the common good of society. Through our community work, we gain valuable skills and understanding and we enhance the communities that we reside within.
The Social Responsibility Committee is a diverse group of individuals throughout the university who collaborate with neighboring community representatives and organizations. SRC exists to advance positive relations and to maintain consistent communication between the university and its communities. As a part of giving back, Westcliff is offering scholarships to designated non-profit partners and their communities in need. The SRC meets at least quarterly with attendance from the president and senior leadership once a year. Upcoming Committee Meetings are monthly on the second week of the month.
Be the change in the world you’d like to see, be a Warrior that Cares!
For more information and questions, contact: westcliffcares@westcliff.edu.
Ways to Get Involved
Upcoming Events
Inclusive Sports Day – April 10, 2025
Experience a day of celebration, inclusivity, and movement at Inclusive Sports Day!
This vibrant, carnival-style event, hosted by Westcliff University in collaboration with the Inclusive Sports Foundation, invites local students with disabilities to participate in engaging and inclusive sports activities to build their confidence, foster camaraderie, and develop relationships.
Letter Writing Event for Senior Citizens – April 23, 2025 – RSVP HERE
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Main Irvine Campus (CR 108) or virtually via ZOOM
Join Westcliff University, either in person or remotely, for a group letter-writing event to brighten the day of senior citizens! Volunteers will write heartfelt letters to help combat isolation and bring joy to older adults who may be feeling disconnected.
Backpack Drive Assembly Event – July 2025
Volunteers will come together to assemble backpacks filled with essential school supplies for students in need. These care packages will be distributed to ensure every child has the tools necessary for a successful school year.
Unlimited Possibilities iCan Bike Camp – August 2025
Volunteer with Unlimited Possibilities at iCan Bike Camp, a week-long event that teaches children with disabilities how to ride a two-wheeler bike while increasing their self-confidence and independence.
International Food and Culture Festival – October 2025
Explore the rich diverse cultures at Westcliff University with interactive cultural activities, traditional attire, and food from across the globe!
Second Harvest Distribution Center Event – November 2025
Volunteer in the Second Harvest Distribution Center to assist in sending fresh fruits and vegetables out to our community by sorting and packaging food items.
Laura’s House Donation Drive – November to December 2025
To spread a little added holiday cheer this season, Westcliff is partnering with local non-profit Laura’s House, an agency supporting families of domestic violence, to host a donation drive. Drop off donations of gift cards, unwrapped toys, mom’s items, and gift wrap to the box located by the front desk!
UCP-OC provides specialized care for more than 5,300 children and families each year. They are one of the only organizations in Orange County delivering comprehensive support for children with disabilities and their families. As such, the services they offer are critical to closing developmental gaps and empowering families to care for their child’s special needs.
Laura’s House provides unduplicated domestic violence-related services to the 915,000 residents of Orange County, California and beyond. Annually, Laura’s House provides direct services to more than 3,400 victims and their families through a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, food and clothing, counseling, case management, legal advocacy services, and education and prevention programs for youth.
Second Harvest Food Bank is a purpose-driven organization that provides food for all who need it, with a concentrated focus on vulnerable populations—children, working families, college students, and seniors. They purchase nutritious food and shelf-stable items and even grow a portion of their own produce for distribution through the Partner Network, which provides food at more than 250 locations throughout Orange County. This vital network includes houses of worship, school and college pantries, after-school programs, Permanent School Pantries, senior centers, transitional housing facilities, soup kitchens, and shelters for the unhoused.
Inclusive Sports connects special needs students and high school athletes to create engaging and rewarding experiences. Nothing But Nets is an after-school sports experience in partnership with club sports organizations to bring inclusive sports programming to communities. Inclusive Sports Days are free carnival-style events in partnership with individual school districts where students with special needs from all over the district are invited to play for the day in an inclusive environment.
Individual Volunteers
as student, staff, or alumni
- Donate needed items from Laura’s House Amazon wishlist.
- Shop Laura’s House Resale Store.
- Volunteer in Laura’s House Donation Center or Retail Store.
- Volunteer at the distribution center for Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Volunteer for Community Food Distribution with Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Volunteer for Charity on Wheels Homeless Outreach.
Team/Group Volunteers
- Host a clothing drive for Laura’s House.
- Volunteer in the donation center at Laura’s House.
- Host a virtual food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Volunteer at the Harvest Solutions Farm.
- Volunteer for Charity on Wheels Homeless Outreach
Virtual Volunteers
- Translators Without Borders
- Be My Eyes
- Progress Point Tutoring
- Learn to Be
- Crisis Text Hotline
- Letters Against Isolation
Ready to volunteer? Click the links above to learn more information and reach out directly to the contact listed for each organization. Be prepared to provide your own means of transportation and meet any of the organization’s training requirements.
For more information and questions, contact: westcliffcares@westcliff.edu
Nominated by partner non-profit Unlimited Possibilities, and recognized as the only higher educational institution on Orange County Business Journal’s 2023 Companies That Care list for substantially enhancing the well-being of our community, notably contributing more than $70,000 to various local non-profit organizations.
Finalist for the 29th Annual ACG Orange County Awards in the Corporate Responsibility Category.
During 2023, 584 student and faculty volunteers dedicated an impressive 5,188 combined hours of community service and generously donated 1,100 much-needed items throughout the year to those in need.