Westmont Magazine Showing Heart in San Francisco

They live in the city, amidst museums, parks and shops. But the students in the San Francisco Urban Program also encounter poverty, homelessness and broken lives. Many serve the community as interns for non-profit organizations.

The Urban Program invited its 1,200 alumni to serve again by participating in a service project in the spring. Alums were also welcomed at a special dinner at the Urban House.

In March 2005, 30 alumni worked together at Golden Gate Academy, an under-served, inner-city elementary school close to the Urban House. With low parental participation and an over-extended staff, the school needed help making over a Head Start classroom. Volunteers cleaned out storage facilities, organized closets, cleaned the classroom and put up fresh artwork. A few alumni donated new supplies and clothing.