Four Binghamton University students presented a check on Friday for $10,000 to Mom’s House, a not-for-profit organization that provides free childcare to low-income single parents.
Alexandria Hall, Katelyn Lavrich, Raimi Ade-Salu and Kevin Hallagan became involved with Mom’s House after taking “SCHL 280H: Philanthropy & Civil Society” last spring. The class was taught by associate professor David Campbell, chair of the public administration department at BU.
“We organize the class to teach students about philanthropy, and over the course of the semester, the students think of how they can do the most good or accomplish the goals that are important to them,” Campbell said.
The Learning by Giving Foundation gives the class $10,000 to donate to any organizations of its choice. The class originally chose to give $1,500 of the total to Mom’s House.
After the September flood devastated the Mom’s House site located on Harry L. Drive in Johnson City, the students submitted a video this semester to a contest also hosted by Learning by Giving, vying for a $10,000 grant for the damaged charity. They won first place and the full prize.
This was the first year the contest allowed students who had previously taken the philanthropy course to submit a video to obtain more money to give to a charity of choice.
Lavrich, a junior double-majoring in biology and chemistry, said it was satisfying to be able to support Mom’s House once again.
“It’s a really great organization and they were so grateful for anything we’ve done,” Lavrich said. “They were completely OK with $1,500, but I loved seeing their faces when they found out we won the $10,000.”
Mom’s House Executive Director Laura Bowen told MSNBC that over $400,000, raised through local organizations and individuals, was necessary to rebuild the office.
“It’s very gratifying and humbling to know that people in this community care so much about our mission and what we’re doing. And that they want to help,” Bowen told MSNBC.
Mom’s House helps low-income single parents, ranging from 14 to 40 years of age, continue their education by providing childcare. Parents must maintain passing grades, complete three hours of service per week and attend monthly life skill workshops at Mom’s House to receive the care.
“I believe our mission to help mothers receive an education so their kids can have a better education is really important,” said Ade-Salu, a senior majoring in political science. “Many times if parents aren’t educated, their kids won’t be educated, so Mom’s House helps get them out of any bad economic situation.”
Last year, the students chose to divvy up the grant among three philanthropic causes and gave $1,500 to Mom’s House. However, some of the students felt Mom’s House was a worthy cause and deserved even more assistance.
According to Lavrich, the group tried to portray a raw, powerful message about the organization and focused less on being “cinematically perfect” in its video.
In a three-minute video, the four students were able to convey a sentimental message about the flood’s damage to Mom’s House.
“The story they told about Mom’s House was so personal and compelling,” Campbell said. “They did something not for them, not for credit in class, but for the benefit of a community organization. Finding out they won was one of my best days of being a teacher.”
The students said Campbell was inspiring and supportive.
“When Campbell asked if we’d be interested [in making the video], we were like, ‘Anything for you, man,’” Hall said. “I feel really lucky that we were given this opportunity and could do something good for this organization that does so many amazing things for the community.”
Hall said Mom’s House is scheduled to move into their newly constructed facility by the fall semester and are looking for student volunteers to pitch in.