Giving Back

Student Engagement & Student Media, in partnership with Every Child Polk Yamhill, a program of REACH Northwest, are proud to announce the Boxes of Hope project! This was an opportunity for Western Oregon University students to build a “care box” filled with items and a personal note for children in foster care going through difficult and uncertain times. This event took place on November 19th and 20th, 2025.

One of the most effective ways to become empowered and to establish purpose in your life is to ask yourself, “Who can I help?”. This project and event set the stage for that question by providing students a chance to help children who are going through one of the most challenging times of their lives. Alongside serving others, students who signed up to participate also gained volunteer experience for their resume, cover letter, and future professional endeavors, and were entered to win a $250 tuition-based scholarship!

• Center for Professional Pathways (CPP) provided sample bullet points for resumes, cover letters, and interview tips regarding the volunteer experience.
• Child Development Center (CDC) had children draw artwork to be placed into the care boxes.
• Veterans Resource Center created customized messages of encouragement to be added to boxes.
• Disability Access Services put together boxes for online-only students who wanted to participate.
• An entire FYS class, Habits of Happiness, signed up to participate.
• Student Media (Western Howl, KWOU, and Northwest Passage) donated the items for the event and provided the two tuition-based scholarships for students.
• 178 students participated in the Boxes of Hope event.