Programs & Services
These programs are made possible and are coordinated through the Office of Academic and Community Affairs. Email acp@cumc.columbia.edu for further information regarding these programs. For information on programs at our Morningside campus please visit Columbia Neighbors.
Education
America Reads Program
The America Reads program is a collaborative effort of the Office of Community Affairs and the Office of Student Financial Services--Federal Work Study. The program partners with local elementary schools with the goal of ensuring that all children are reading at grade level. America Reads is a nation-wide program designed to employ college students "as reading tutors for children to help ensure that all children will read independently and on grade level by third grade."
Community Services
Project Medical Education
Each year, CUIMC hosts Project Medical Education (PME), a full day program designed to provide participants with a unique opportunity for an up-close look at medical education and the day-to-day activities that take place at an academic medical center. The program aims to provide community stakeholders with an in-depth look at the overall operations of our medical center and hear first-hand from our leadership about the challenges and opportunities we face in advancing our education, research, patient care, and service missions. PME takes place at the CUIMC campus in Washington Heights and allows participants to learn more about the many exciting and innovative health advances taking place at our medical center. Please contact us to receive updates, information and for nominations.
Community Research Forums
Throughout the year, the Office of Government & Community Affairs presents several Community Research Forums that are free and open to the public. These forums allow community residents to learn about the latest research spearheaded by Columbia faculty. Please contact us to learn more about the forum and for invitations.
Annual Food Drive
The annual food drive occurs around the Thanksgiving holiday and it encourages our campus community to donate canned goods to a local food pantry. CUIMC's donations of canned goods are given to Fresh Youth Initiatives' HHFB, New York City's only youth-run, adult-facilitated food pantry. Campus food donations are distributed by FYI to thousands of people in the Washington Heights/Inwood community.
Fort Washington Greenmarket
The outdoor farmers' market takes place at 168th Street and Fort Washington Avenue, and brings local foods and health education to patients, employees, students and the community. The market operates every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in the summer through the end of the year. In addition to its food offering, the market hosts cooking demonstrations, nutritional counseling and health-related outreach events. To learn more about the farmers market, you may visit the GrowNYC website.
Youth
Summer Youth Employment Program
The program is a collaboration between ACP, community organizations and the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development. The program places over 100 youth in various Medical Center departments to work as part of the Summer Youth Employment Program, promoting first-hand work experience and mentoring relations. To learn more about the Summer Youth Employment Program, please visit the DYCD website.
CU and CUIMC departments and offices interested in hosting SYEP participants for 2024 can complete an inital inquiry to receive more information.
Baker Field Summer Camps
As part of the University’s commitment to provide services and access at the Baker Field Complex to the Northern Manhattan community, we coordinate between parents and families and Columbia Athletics to offer a number of full scholarships for youth summer camps on Baker Field. Scholarships are awarded through a lottery, held at Manhattan Community Board 12. Applications open in the spring. For questions, please contact us at acp@cumc.columbia.edu or 212-305-8060.
Applications for Summer 2025 will open sometime early next year.
Annual Toy Drive
Every December, the Office of Academic & Community Partnerships coordinates an annual toy drive. Columbia University Irving Medical Center employees donate more than 600 toys. Toys are distributed to local daycare centers, head start programs and community-based organizations serving needy families in the Washington Heights/Inwood community.