Teaming up to serve the community

UNC Charlotte and TIAA-CREF have a history of partnering on community engagement projects in support of students at Governor’s Village Schools – recently the two institutions expanded their efforts to address food security and college preparedness.

For this year’s Hunger and Homelessness Week, volunteers from the University and TIAA-CREF, a leading financial services and life insurance company, assembled 18,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now in less than three hours. Plans are in the works for another Stop Hunger Now meal assembly at Vance High School in December.

Also, volunteers from both organizations aided the Niner Student Pantry with landscaping and raised garden beds at the pantry’s new location, 1224 John Kirk Drive.

During the past year, UNC Charlotte and TIAA-CREF worked with 200 middle and high school students (mainly from Martin Middle and Vance High Schools) on financial planning and college readiness through Junior Achievement and Right Moves for Youth. Students have participated in campus tours and coaching conversations with current University students and received a Charlotte 49ers athletic experience through alumni tailgates and home football games.

The UNC Charlotte/TIAA-CREF partnership at Governor’s Village dates to 2011 and continues through University City Connect. Located about four miles from the University, Governor’s Village is comprised of John M. Morehead STEM Academy, Nathaniel Alexander Elementary, James Martin Middle and Zebulon B. Vance High.

“One of the University’s goals is to rally around a common community initiative. Strengthening and deepening our relationship with the Governor’s Village schools, in conjunction with TIAA-CREF, has been ideal,” said Jeanette Sims, director of community relations in the Division of University Advancement.