• Up for the Challenge?

    Addressing Homelessness

    The Changemaker Challenge invites University of San Diego students, faculty, and staff to employ their imagination, passion, and hard work to generate ideas addressing a current social challenge proposed to us by leaders from the San Diego/Tijuana region.

    Each year, the Changemaker Challenge selects an urgent challenge for the entire campus community to address. The 2020 Changemaker Challenge is addressing homelessness in San Diego.

    To enter the Challenge, students can work individually or in teams to address one of the five prompts provided by two of our community partners (Think Dignity and PATH). Students will provide a 2-3 minute video that addresses the questions below. The video will be evaluated by a team of judges and students will then vote for the submissions they prefer. Those entries with the top votes will be awarded cash prizes. The Hub will continue to support any students who want to continue to develop their projects.

  • Our Community Challenges to Address

    As Identified by our Partners

    1. How might we help PATH provide opportunities during COVID-19 for clients to engage in a way that will allow them to connect with others that is safe and dignified?
    2. How might we help PATH become better known in the San Diego region in a way that educates and empowers local community members to become active in their communities to drive change?
    3. How might we help Think Dignity reimagine its sanitation process in a way that it complies with sanitation guidelines, is safe for clients, and cost and time effective for the organization, especially during a pandemic?
    4. How might we help Think Dignity provide access to feminine hygiene products to their clients in a way that it provides privacy while helping break the stigma?
    5. How might we help Think Dignity provide access for those experiencing homelessness in areas further from downtown to store their personal items in a way that is convenient and safe so that they can have more opportunities to move freely and to take care of their daily needs?

    Message us if you have any questions!

    Submit

  • Meet Our Community Partners

    Think Dignity

    Hands-on Activism & Advocacy with the Homeless

    With a combination of on-the-ground research and monthly open forums, Think Dignity utilizes a collaborative volunteer based method to address their mission: To inspire, empower, and organize our community to advance basic dignity for those living on the streets. Read Think Dignity's Changemaker Challenge Brief.

    PATH

    Making It Home

    With the mission and vision of eradicating homelessness, PATH works towards the "Housing First" model by supplying those experiencing homelessness with permanent housing, mental and medical healthcare, case management, employment training, and many more forms of support. Read PATH's Changemaker Challenge Brief.

  • Check out the Challenge Rubric!

    The rubric shows how the judges will be basing their score of your project. Make sure to comply with the rubric when addressing your social justice challenge!

     

    Download the Rules for Eligibility

  • Changemaker Challenge Application

    Applications are due October 19th, 2020 (midnight).

    Submit your application today. The link will take you to the MySanDiego Portal, where you can input your personal information and was well as team information if you are entering as a team. The link will be active starting September 15, 2020

     

    For any questions on the Changemaker Challenge or issues with this application, please email changemaker@sandiego.edu

  • Resources

    Great Content Designed to Support You!

    Just Read Events

    Expand Your Knowledge

    Each year, the USD community selects a USD "Just Read!" book inspired by a social justice theme. The 2020- 21 book of the year is Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America by Connor Dougherty to support the social justice theme of the year Addressing Homelessness Learn more.

    TED Talks Inspiration

    Learn from the Best here

    This playlist explores the issues related to this year's theme, Addressing Homelessness. Watching these TED Talks is a great place to begin to learn about how experts in the field are already addressing these issues in their own communities.

    Urgent Challenges Collective

    Find more information about homelessness and food insecurity here 

    The primary aim of the Urgent Challenges Collective, which is funded through a two-year strategic initiative grant from the University of San Diego, is to provide new opportunities for studying and addressing homelessness and food insecurity in our local community. The work of the Collective is inclusive of the entire campus community with a focus on four core areas: research projects, course development, community engagement, and advocacy initiatives/events.

    Urgent Challenges Collective Recources  

    Find more information about homelessness and food insecurity here 

    This Community Conversations playlist was put together by the Urgent Challenges Collective and it features a number of local leaders and organizations sharing insights on their work addressing homelessness in the San Diego region.

  • Examples of recent Changemaker

    Challenge videos

    Historias del Barrio

    HOST which provides support to homeless college students

    Unleashing Hispanic Potential

    Children’s Map

  • Connect

    Connect with us at the Changemaker Hub

  • CONTACT US

    Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns

    Submit

  • Judges for PATH Submissions

    Changemaker Challenge 2020

    Justine Rapp Farrell

    Associate Professor of Marketing

    Juan Roche

    Professor of Practice,
    Center for Peace and Commerce Faculty Advisor

    Manda Sayegh

    Associate Director of Student Activities and Involvement

    Erin Lovette-Colyer

    Director, Gender Identity Resources

    Sigrid Struben

    PATH Kitchen and Volunteer Coordinator

    Peter Marlow

    Associate Vice President, University Communications

    Silvia Mah

    Director, Center for Peace and Commerce

  • Judges for Think Dignity Submissions

    Changemaker Challenge 2020

    V. Dozier

    Assistant Professor, Education Librarian

    Juliet Zimmer

    Coordinator, Center for Peace and Commerce

    Julia Campagna

    University Minister

    Ryan Jumamil
    Director, Student Support Services

    Susannah Stern

    Professor, Communication Studies

    Honors Program Director

    Merlynn Watanabe

    Programs & Operations Manager, Think Dignity

    Ana Domínguez

    Microenterprise Business Counselor, International Rescue Committee

    Trey McDonald

    Director of Sustainability

    Martha Adkins
    Associate Professor, Reference Librarian

    Sienna George

    Social Impact Strategist, Oliver Russell

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