Programs & Services

These programs are made possible and are coordinated through the Office of Government & Community Affairs. Email gca@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

*This program is currently suspended due to University wide protocols pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.* Any updates regarding the program will be listed here.

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."

Summer Youth Employment Program

The program is a collaboration between GCA, 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 2023 can complete an inital inquiry to receive more information.

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.

Medical Center Neighborhood Fund

The Medical Center Neighborhood Fund was founded as a joint effort of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute to enhance the quality of life in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. The Fund is dedicated to raising funds for local, nonprofit organizations that offer vital services and opportunities in northern Manhattan. Currently, the Fund grants more than 60 awards to local organizations. Employees from all three institutions are invited to make a donation and volunteer their time as site visitors. Please consider making a donation to the fund today!

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

Annual Toy Drive

Every December, the Office of Government & Community Affairs 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.

Baker Field Summer Camps

2023 scholarships for Little Lions and NYC Soccer Academy are now closed.