History

Founded in 2005, out of a commitment from our president, Dr. Hart, MD and various dedicated faculty such as Drs Pollard and Belliard, to enhance linkage and reciprocity between Loma Linda University (LLU) and the local surrounding community, the Community-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS) office truly represents Loma Linda University’s dedication “to make man whole.”  We have grown from a good idea to a functioning office with many exciting opportunities for you to get involved.  This past year can be best distinguished as a year of growth for the CAPS Office through partnerships and a fulfillment of multiple visions to bridge the gap between the university and the community.  We are building on current local youth and family ministries to include community health initiatives, such as Goal 4 Health Soccer League, a one stop shop for LLU students and community to access volunteer and service-learning opportunities locally via the LLUSERVE landing page and new website, along with the expansion of the Minority Youth Health Professions Pipeline program to include a new partnership with Sherman Indian High School.  As the Sponsor of the Healthy Neighborhood projects, LLU Student Association’s Community Service Group, and Goal 4 Health Soccer League we were able to involve over 350 LLU students in year-long activities once again, as well as over 500 in short-term projects/events.  We counted over 600 youth and parents in the year long programs, as well as approximately another 300 who were served in short term program/events such as our Christmas Fiesta, Alternative Spring Break and HNP Carnival. As an office we have grown our capacity to include 9 student workers, have raised over $20,000 through sponsorships and donations, are developing a year-long “My Campus” Minority Youth Health Professions Pipeline program and implementing a joint service campaign called LLUSERVE: Live to Give on campus in partnership with Students for International Missions Service (SIMS), LLUSA, Re:LIVE, Chaplains, and Student Activities.   Last of all, we continue to strive to promote both local missions and community engaged scholarship in such a way that LLU and the Inland Empire catch the vision to live to give.