Zipcar grant keeps Brandeis programs rolling

Transportation to many partner sites will become easier

Community service is a priority for members of the Brandeis community, and thanks to a recently awarded $5,500 grant from the ZipCar Students with Drive program, transportation from campus to the many partner sites will become easier for those involved with the Brandeis Experiential and Community Engaged Learning.

The grant will provide $5,500 in Zipcar credits that can be used for vehicle usage charges by students traveling to and from Experiential and Community Engaged Learning programs and events. Brandeis Zipcars are located near the public safety and health center buildings.

Among the programs that will benefit are the Charles River Public Internet Center, where immigrants and low-income residents can learn basic computer skills; WATCH Tenant Advocacy Clinic, which provides ESL classes, resume building and other skill training; and Healthy Waltham, where students go to teach area youth about healthy eating and vegetable gardening.

Brandeis’s winning entry was written by Caitlin Abber ’13, program assistant for Brandeis Experiential and Community Engaged Learning and a Schiff research fellow.

Carmaker Ford Motor Company and Zipcar partnered to create the grant program. Ford has pledged to provide $300,000 in grants to be awarded to student organizations and universities.

Monthly winners chosen during this academic year are featured on the Zipcar University Students with Drive Facebook page. In late April, a group of finalists will be chosen to compete to receive a grand prize of $5,000 in Zipcar credits, $10,000 in cash and $10,000 for their school’s general scholarship fund. Voting will take place on the Zipcar U Facebook page and the winner will be announced in May.

"Today's students are very active with local organizations in and around their communities," said John Felice, general manager, Ford and Lincoln Marketing in a press release. "Ford's alliance with Zipcar will not only provide students with access to Ford's newest fuel-efficient vehicles, but now, through the Students with Drive program, we will help them give back, using these vehicles to help make a difference on their campus and in their communities."