Community Connections

Changemaking takes on many forms, with individual actions, ideas and initiatives leading the way towards creating positive change in our communities.

In October 2020, the University of San Diego came together for the Changemaker Challenge, the annual competition that encourages participants to share ideas to address some of humanity’s most urgent challenges. The pitches included ideas for PATH, a homeless service provider located in downtown San Diego. Of those ideas shared by participants, two pitches — a client podcast and a rooftop community garden — were chosen by PATH. Now, a year later, those projects have become beautiful examples of student ingenuity in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.

The PATH Forward

A creative way to share the organization’s mission with the surrounding community, the PATH Forward podcast is edited by USD interns, who tell PATH client stories through thoughtfully produced segments of hope, community and connection.

“I get to hear these stories of all these individuals who are experiencing homelessness and how PATH has helped get them back on their feet and where their hopes are for the future,” says senior Lily Yates. “It’s just been a really amazing opportunity.”

For Yates, the ability to combine her love of podcasts with an internship that gives back to the community is something unique to her USD experience and a life-changing opportunity to grow as a Changemaker.

A Rooftop Garden Oasis

In the heart of downtown San Diego, sits a light gray building with striking architectural features that harken back to a bygone era. Surrounded by high-rise buildings, this structure is a beacon of hope for many. As the San Diego location for PATH, the building provides many services for the city’s homeless population. In the midst of the pandemic, it also became the site of an urban garden oasis. Five floors up from street level, what was once a concrete patio now houses a garden with flowers, herbs, tomatoes and other plants.

“We have been able to partner with USD, and one of the great things that came out of it was a community garden,” says Sigrid Struben ’19 (MA), an associate director of community affairs with PATH San Diego. “What I really value from the relationship is the ability for us to work with so many young people, just getting new perspectives and having them realize that homelessness is such a huge issue.”

A Changemaking Spirit

As the creative ideas from the 2020 Changemaker Challenge continue to positively impact the community, this year’s competition is set to address another pressing issue — food justice. Submissions for project ideas addressing food justice will be accepted until November 22. To learn more about this year’s Changemaker Challenge, please visit changemakerchallenge.me.

— Allyson Meyer ’16 (BA), ’21 (MBA)