Year: 2025
Partner School: Indiana University
Community Partner: Cancer Support Community, South Central Indiana
Category: Community Health
Problem: The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive support to individuals affected by cancer. With a mission to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, CSC offers a wide range of free programs designed to address the emotional, social, and educational needs of cancer patients and their families.The organization also conducts research to advance the understanding of psychosocial oncology and advocates for policies that improve cancer care and support services. The CSC was seeking to build out a volunteer ambassador program, while also increasing awareness of their organization and their work alongside the effectiveness of caring for their constituents.
Solution: The winning team designed an extensive ambassador program for both internal and external functions, which includes a recruitment plan, a training program, and community development actions. This program seeks to engage past CSC participants and encourage them to become ambassadors through an amplified annual Holiday Party, which will include testimonials and encourage connection among past CSC participants. Folks who are interested in becoming ambassadors will receive in-person training as well as monthly online meetings, which will allow them to share their stories and connect about their work.
On the community development side, the winning team proposed four community events per year, designed to help get CSC ambassadors into the community to raise awareness of their work and connect those who may need their support.
