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
April Volunteer Month – The entire month of April
If you are a staff, student, faculty, or alumni, join in on supporting our community by volunteering throughout National Volunteer Month. For those close to the Irvine main campus, we have set up 4 different opportunities for you to get involved. Participants* have the opportunity to make a difference with two of Westcliff’s supported Orange County nonprofits: Second Harvest – can plant, harvest, weed, and maintain the fields at the farm, and Unlimited Possibilities – Pediatric Therapy Center, where volunteers work alongside children with disabilities on themed crafts, or volunteer for a charity golf tournament.
*If you cannot volunteer on one of the dates listed below or shifts become full, volunteer for a local non-profit in your community.
- Unlimited Possibilities Pediatric Therapy Center Crafting – April 4, 2024 at 2:00 to 5:00 PM – RSVP HERE
- Unlimited Possibilities Pediatric Therapy Center Crafting – April 9, 2024 at 2:00 to 5:00 PM – RSVP HERE
- Unlimited Possibilities Charity Golf Tournament Volunteer – April 29, 2024 (Shift Times TBD) – RSVP HERE
- Second Harvest Solutions Farm Volunteer Outing – April 26, 2024 at 7:30 to 11:00 AM – REGISTER HERE
Please tag us at #westcliffcares and let us know how you supported your community or favorite nonprofit.
UP to Us Club Days – May 4, 2024
UP to Us Club is for children and teens, with and without a disability, to enjoy monthly activities, weekly art and dance classes, and so much more! Volunteers will help campers make friends, have fun with games, arts, crafts, and provide 1:1 support to a child at Unlimited Possibilities’ Pediatric Therapy Center. REGISTER HERE
UP to Us Club Days – June 1, 2024
UP to Us Club is for children and teens, with and without a disability, to enjoy monthly activities, weekly art and dance classes, and so much more! Volunteers will help campers make friends, have fun with games, arts, crafts, and provide 1:1 support to a child at Unlimited Possibilities’ Pediatric Therapy Center. REGISTER HERE
Unlimited Possibilities iCan Bike Camp – August 5-9, 2024
Unlimited Possibilities iCan Bike Camp is a bike riding training program using specialized bikes and a proven technique to help individuals with special needs learn to ride bikes. Riders attend a daily 75-minute training session all week to overcome the fear of falling, and learn to balance, steer, brake, and ride!
International Food and Culture Festival – September (Date TBD)
Join us to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures amongst our students, faculty, and staff. The festival offers an opportunity to experience traditional music, dancing, clothing and so much more.
STEPtember – The entire month of September
Step up for Cerebral Palsy research! STEPtember is a leading virtual charity fundraising event that challenges people of all abilities and all fitness levels to aim for 10,000 steps, or the equivalent converted from over 70 different activities each day for September. You’ll join an incredible community of steppers from across the US who are passionate about moving cerebral palsy research forward.
All funds raised support the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funding the brightest US researchers to change what’s possible for cerebral palsy.
Inclusive Sports Day – October 16, 2024
Join Westcliff University, in partnership with Inclusive Sports Foundation, formerly Special Forces Sports Foundation, as we host an athletic, carnival-style local event for students with disabilities. Our sports teams will run interactive stations leading the students through a variety of athletic drills in an inclusive, fun, and engaging environment.
In addition, there will be a DJ and other games to make for an exciting day. Volunteers will assist with a variety of tasks on the day of the event. (For example: passing out food and water, helping run/manage stations, etc.)
Unlimited Possibilities Gala – October 19, 2024
Employee Holiday Donation Drive for Laura’s House – November through December (Date TBD)
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. To encourage employee donations and have some spirited fun, a department-wide donation competition will take place.
The team to donate the most gift cards, unwrapped toys, mom’s items, and gift wrap for the clients of Laura’s House will win a trophy prize, a team picture in the staff break room, AND a team lunch (up to $20 per person). In addition, Westcliff will be matching the donations made by the winning team.
Holiday Party Silent Auction for Unlimited Possibilities – December (Date TBD)
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.
Women in Tech® is an international non-profit organization on a mission to promote girls’ and women’s empowerment around the world. They are a Global Movement with chapters in 6 continents and create impact through action to build skills and confidence, setting women up for success. The organization focuses on 4 primary areas that are a call for action: Education, Business, Social Inclusion, and Advocacy. The aim is to educate, equip, and empower women and girls with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in STEM careers.
Individual Donations
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 to assist with special events for Unlimited Possibilities.
- 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 Donations
- Host a clothing drive for Laura’s House.
- Volunteer in the donation center at Laura’s House.
- Organize an outreach event with Unlimited Possibilities.
- Host a virtual food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Volunteer at the Harvest Solutions Farm.
- Volunteer for Charity on Wheels Homeless Outreach
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
Employee Charitable Contributions on Your Behalf
To honor faculty and staff members who give their time and service to causes near and dear to their hearts, Westcliff University will award donations to eligible charitable organizations, made in the name of the employee, up to $1,000 per employee for each calendar year.
Donation | $500, up to $1,000
Employee Charitable Contributions Information
Westcliff University provides “Employee Charitable Contributions” to employees who demonstrate ongoing volunteer work/ and or leadership with an eligible 501(c)(3) organization in a calendar year. The non-profit you submit could receive up to $500 per submission, with a max of $1,000 per year.
For additional information on eligibility and criteria, please click the link here: Employee Charitable Contributions Policy & Guidelines
Employee Charitable Contributions Submission Process:
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- Demonstrate ongoing engagement of volunteering/leadership with a single 501(c)(3) organization.
- Complete the Employee Charitable Contributions Request Form
- Employee charitable contributions are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, while funding lasts.
- Please allow for 5 business days for response or approval, checks made to the organization can take an additional 2-3 weeks to process.
*The request must be directed to an eligible organization that the employee has volunteered with, demonstrating an ongoing engagement with the organization is required; if none of the organizations with which the volunteer participated are eligible, then the volunteer may choose another qualified organization.
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.