BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Southern Indiana’s nonprofit organizations in need of a boost during the COVID-19 pandemic have a new resource at Indiana University Bloomington.
The Student Agile Response Team, known as START, leverages the energy and skills of IU Bloomington’s students along with the leadership and guidance of faculty and staff to meet the challenges faced by local organizations. From design, strategy, planning and communication to sustainability guidance, K-12 tutoring and mental health resources, the START initiative draws upon the expertise of every school on campus to create customized and multidisciplinary solutions.
"The Student Agile Response Team is a safe, innovative way to connect our students with professional development opportunities at community organizations in Indiana communities," said IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President Lauren Robel. "Our nonprofits need us now more than ever, and participating students can expand their skills while supporting the greatest needs of our neighbors."
An initiative of IU Corps in partnership with the IU Center for Rural Engagement and all 16 schools on the IU Bloomington campus, START formed in response to COVID-19, as the pandemic upturned business and nonprofit operations across the state, greatly impacting smaller, rural organizations. As the program launched, with support from faculty and staff representatives across campus, students immediately began tackling projects including local flu shot clinic assistance, community garden land research, technology consultation and fundraising, design, media and marketing support for nonprofits.