Warmth from the Millyard
Warmth from the Millyard from Ian Reddick on Vimeo.
The Warmth from the Millyard (WFMY) warm clothing drive is a collaborative student-run initiative between the University of New Hampshire at Manchester and the UNH Community Leadership (CoLead) Program.
Since it began in 2007, WFMY has grown from a class project to a college-wide effort that combines classroom learning and community-based research focused on a community issue. Students from elementary school through college work on the project and develop skills such as leadership, communication, managing conflict and change, marketing, project management, and understanding social justice issues.
Since 2007 CoLead students have partnered with over 100 donating groups and social service agencies and collected 24,000 articles of clothing. In the process students raise awareness about poverty-related issues in New Hampshire.
Current WFMY initiatives include:
- Warm Clothing Drive at UNH Manchester Each November, the campus community comes together to collect warm clothing for a chosen local social service agency(ies). Since 2007, over 24,000 items of clothing have been donated.
- Community Matched Warm Clothing Drives Warmth From the Millyard has helped create over 100 community partnerships by matching agencies in need of clothing with groups and businesses able to donate. Two statewide donating groups include the NH Lions Club and the NH Department of Transportation.
- 21ST Century After School Program at Beech St. Elementary School Beginning in 2011, WFMY is launching a leadership curriculum through the 21st Century After School Program at Beech St. School. The four session program includes: A student-run clothing drive, leadership through the pursuit of career and educational goals, leadership in literature, and community and leadership based research projects.
- Leadership Curriculum with the PASS Program at the Manchester School of Technology Similar to the program at Beech Street School, the curriculum at the PASS program is a more extensive, in-depth look at the same issues, made age-appropriate for high school students. Students and staff in the PASS program will collaborate with students and faculty at UNH Durham and Manchester to create a bridge between secondary and higher education.
