Community Connection: How We Give Back
A resource for FOX Architects staff
As a firm, our staff has been leading the conversation in what giving back looks like for FOX Architects. In our 16 year history, we've collaborated with our industry peers and teamed up on projects that help our community thrive. This year, we're looking to do more good by going all in on one cause. After conducting our staff survey and vetting potential organizations, we're committing to volunteer with 4-H, a nonprofit that serves in both of the areas our staff said we most care about: the environment and educating youth.
We're ready to hit the ground running with our new Community Connection program and lend a hand with 4-H. This page is a staff resource for getting up-to-speed, getting signed up, and getting involved with this great cause. Keep reading to learn about our first service opportunities and and what you need to do to sign up!
Jump to sections:
About 4-H | Why volunteer? | Introducing our spring volunteer projects! | How to get started with our Community Connection program | Questions
About 4-H
The mission of 4-H is to empower young people by developing leadership skills through active learning. 4-H programs take place in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the country, focusing on growing leaders and nurturing one's head, heart, hands, and health — the 4 Hs. Our involvement with our local 4-H chapter will center on outreach activities that both educate youth and help the environment.
Why Volunteer?
Like 4-H, our firm was founded to develop and empower leaders who will boldly share new ideas and contribute to our design community. We believe that the backbone of leadership is serving others and being willing to help others achieve their full potential. As we give back through 4-H, we're living out our values and paying forward what we have been so fortunate to receive: time, care, and help from others.
introducing our spring volunteer projects!
As we partner with 4-H to give back in the areas of educating youth and making a positive impact on the environment, we will contribute to many projects across the city. Our first series of opportunities serves the students at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School. This school was founded to provide a well-rounded education for low-income students, incorporating bilingual instruction and an abundance of music and art. As part of their hands-on learning approach, the school has an urban garden and outdoor classroom that we will demolish, redesign, and build.
OPPORTUNITY #1: OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AND GARDEN DESIGN CHARRETTE
Help design a new garden and outdoor classroom for the students at Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS. The students need new planter beds, boxes, and vertical gardens to grow vegetables, a greenhouse, beehives, a pollinator garden, and accessible pathways for children of all abilities. Put your design skills to use for a great cause! Lunch will be provided.
Date: Friday, March 6
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Location: FOX Architects presentation theatre
Calendar invitation to follow.
Opportunity #2: Demolition day
Get out your sledgehammers! Volunteers will help demolish eight concrete planter beds and four wood planters. This will clear the way and create a blank slate for our new garden design! A light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided.
Date: Sunday, March 29
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, 3700 Oakview Terrace NE, Washington, DC 20017
Opportunity #3: Build Day
Make children's wishes come true by creating the school's new garden! Implement our design for the garden, outdoor classroom, greenhouse, planters, and more.
Date: Sunday, April 26 (tentative)
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, 3700 Oakview Terrace NE, Washington, DC 20017
Registration will open closer to the date.
how to get started with our community connection program
Because we will be working with children, there are some steps we need to take to ensure the safety and well-being of the young people we will be serving. In compliance with DC laws, all volunteers working with children need to pass a background check and get tested for tuberculosis (TB).
1) Sign up for an in-office tuberculosis test
On Tuesday, March 3, a nurse practitioner will administer TB tests for anyone interested in volunteering with children. Sign up for a five-minute time slot for this simple test. You will also need to sign up for a time slot on Friday, March 6 to receive your test results in person. If you are unavailable to sign up for a time slot on both of these dates, you may get tested at your doctor's office or a CVS Minute Clinic, provide the results, and submit an expense report.
Date: Testing on Tuesday, March 3; receive results on Friday, March 6
Time: For each of these dates, sign up for a five-minute time slot between 10:00-11:30 am
Location: FOX Architects presentation theatre
2) Submit for a background check
We are using Clear Checks to conduct the necessary background checks for volunteers who wish to work with children. If you wish to work with children, let us know by clicking on the button below or email communityconnection@fox-architects.com. We will set up your background check and you will receive an email from Clear Checks prompting you to complete the form. The deadline is Monday, February 24.
3) Complete the school's volunteer form
Please fill out this online form by Monday, February 24.
Questions?
Reach out to communityconnection@fox-architects.com.