Walsh in the Community

Walsh College is committed to giving back to the community.  Learn more about what Walsh is doing to serve and LIVE. BREATHE. BUSINESS. in the metro-Detroit area and other communities.  Students, alumni, staff, friends, and family are welcome to volunteer in any of the activities below. Click on the links below to learn more about what Walsh is doing for the following individuals and organizations in the community.

This program is organized by the Troy Chamber of Commerce and Troy Middle schools.  Local business professionals conduct mock interviews with eighth grade students.  This program was created to prepare the students for high school and to learn the basics of interviewing (i.e., hand shakes, eye contact, proper attire, and answering basic interview questions).

During the meeting, the student presents their academic and personal portfolios to their interviewer.  The portfolios focus on academic achievement (A), personal time management (P) and teamwork (T).  This year seven Walsh employees participated in APT to Succeed. 

Questions?  Contact vromberg@walshcollege.edu

Children's Book Drive & Tutoring (Blackwell Institute)

From November 2008-June 2009, Walsh provided outreach and community service for Tish Giacalone's 2nd grade class at Stephens Elementary in Detroit.  Even after the initial outreach was completed, Walsh kept in contact with the teacher and continued our outreach effort.  Stephens was closed in June 2009 and the teacher was moved to a first grade class at Blackwell Institute.  

Walsh donated gently used books and from March-June 2010 staff visited and read with the first graders.  In addition, a special end of year package was given to the students with bookmarks, pencils, and paper.  Thank you notes, drawings from the children, and pictures are located in the Troy campus cafeteria.

Questions?  Contact jknapik@walshcollege.edu


Food Fight to Tackle Childhood Hunger (Gleaners Community Food Bank)
July

This is a contest between local individual and teams of businesses to see who can collect the most food.  Food and money collected are donated to thousands of southeastern Michigan families. 

Last year the contest collected 10,279 pounds of food and raised a total of $24,189.33.  A total value of 26,935 days of food was distributed to southeastern Michigan hungry neighbors through a network of local agencies.

Click here for more details. 

Questions?  Contact rzook@walshcollege.edu


Hunger Heroes Neighborhood Food Drive (Gleaners Food Bank) 
July

The goal of this project is to collect food from residents’ porches.  Volunteers are placed in groups of six:  two cars with drivers (must be 18 or older) and four walkers.  Each group must have at least one cell phone and be able to work from 10-2, with time for breaks/lunch.

This year, five Walsh staff and friends drove thru Troy neighborhoods on a Saturday picking up food on porches.  In addition to the food collected for the Food Fight drive, Walsh earned a credit of 100 days of food for the contest.

Click here for more details.

Questions?  Contact rzook@walshcollege.edu


Meal Deliveries (Focus:  HOPE)
Continuous dates

Focus:  HOPE Central Warehouse
6500 East Davison
Detroit, MI
Register at alumni@walshcollege.edu

The Walsh College Alumni Association partnered up with Focus:  HOPE to offer a volunteer opportunity for alumni.  The second annual meal delivery was held in December 2008.  More than 60 students, alumni, friends, and family members delivered holiday meals to seniors around the Metro Detroit area.  Everyone was excited to be able to give back to community and we have continued to participate in meal deliveries.  Please join the WCAA at future senior citizen meal deliveries.  You will see why the need is great and why the seniors are grateful for your generous donation of time.

Questions?  Contact alumni@walshcollege.edu

Meal Serving (Capuchin Soup Kitchen)
April 2010

Join the Walsh College Alumni Association and help those less fortunate.  On January 16th, ten alumni and friends helped prepare and serve lunch for those in need at the Connor Street location.  This was the first of the WCAA's bi-annual volunteer events at Capuchin.

Questions?  Contact alumni@walshcollege.edu

MLK Day:  A Celebration of Freedom (Troy Athens High School)
January

Walsh participated in a tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The program takes place at Athens High School and includes a unity walk, musical presentation, art exhibit, and essay contest.  It is free to the public.

Questions?  Contact rzook@walshcollege.edu

Park Cleanup in Tampa (Mayor Beautification Program)
March 2010

Alumni removed invasive plants, vegetation, and debris/litter from a neighborhood park. 

Questions?  Contact alumni@walshcollege.edu


School Donation Drives & Visits (Stephens Elementary)
November 2008-May 2009

In November 2008, a Walsh staff member was talking with a co-worker that a Stephens Elementary in Detroit was in desperate need of supplies (soap, sanitizer, crayons, writing paper, glue, tissue, etc.).  The school was 100 years old and not in good shape and don’t have very much money in the budget for basic supplies.  They were still waiting for necessary school workbooks and copying papers took as much as one week to finish.  It was decided that Walsh could help them by collecting basic school supplies.

After the initial donation drive, Walsh and a Stephens 2nd grade classroom teacher have kept in contact, made a few visits, and exchanged several notes and care packages.  The 2nd grade teacher and her students have been extremely appreciative and have really become part of the extended Walsh family.  Since November 2008, Walsh has: 

• Donated 21 boxes of supplies (including:  books, sanitizer, crayons, construction paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, flash cards, games, clothes, gloves, toothbrushes, markers, etc.)
• Visited 2nd grade class at Stephens Elementary with hand made hats and stockings
• Invited the 2nd grade class to the Troy campus for a reading session, campus tour, and lunch
• Sent various holiday and seasonal care packages
• Attended a Mother’s Day Untea Party at Stephens Elementary

Questions?  Contact jknapik@walshcollege.edu

Take Charge Workshops (Ford Motor Company & Walsh College)
January 2009-Present

With today's economic times and job market, Walsh realized the need to assist the community.  In January 2009, Walsh started free Take Charge workshops open to Michigan's displaced workers.

Walsh has offered over 50 workshops to date in two workshop series:

• Series one:  January-May 2009 with 18 workshops
• Series two:  Launched June 1, 2009 with 34 workshops (sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services)

Walsh is dedicated to serving the community by offering these additional workshops.  The new round of workshops feature more days, topics, and expanded career content.  Topics include, but not limited to:  public speaking boot camp, social media, and various hands-on Microsoft program training.

Spaces are limited and registration is required.  Click here to learn more.

Toys for Tots (U.S. Marines)
December

Each year Walsh collects toys for the Toys for Tots program that is sponsored by the U.S. Marines.  The College donates an average of 4 large boxes each year.  The holiday season is upon us and a regular holiday tradition includes the Toys for Tots collection program.  Every year the U.S. Marines collect toys and distribute them as gifts around the holidays to needy children.  Their main goal is to deliver a message of hope that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, and community leaders.  The toys are distributed to the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Click here for more details.

Questions?  Contact jknapik@walshcollege.edu  


Walk and Diversity Festival (Focus:  HOPE)
October

Each year, the WALK brings together people of various races, religions, and cultures to celebrate the diversity in our community.  The event also raises money for Focus: HOPE's Success Scholarship Fund which gives many talented men and women the opportunity to advance their education and job skills.

Click here for more details.

Questions?  Contact rzook@walshcollege.edu


Yard Maintenance (Foundation for Blind Children)
February 2010

Walsh alumni helped paint, wash windows, and yard maintenance to help beautify the center's grounds. 

Questions?  Contact alumni@walshcollege.edu