Good Neighbors Campaign Gives Back to the Community

 USC's Good Neighbors Campaign kicked off Tuesday to help USC give back to the community.

The program asks university staff and faculty members to contribute a part of their paycheck to support programs in the surrounding neighborhoods. The 2012-2013 fundraising goal is $1.6 million. Last year, the campaign raised $1.5 million with nearly 40 percent of USC faculty and staff contributing.

Some programs that the money goes toward include offering pro bono legal advice, tutoring in reading and math, a summer camp, swim classes, safety training and tools that prevent violence. The Good Neighbors Campaign also provides funding for community classes that normally wouldn't get funding including marine biology, music theory, acting classes and research programs.

Part of the funding last year went to the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI), a pre-college enrichment program that helps low-income neighborhood students prepare for admission to college. All the campaign funds go to programs like these because 100 percent of the donations go directly to support university and community partnerships.

The charity was started in 1994 by former USC president Steven Sample. Over the years, the drive has raised more than $12.5 million to support the 411 community organizations that partner with USC. These different programs are working to make the streets safer for families and offer activities and programs to improve the neighborhoods surrounding the USC campus.

Students, alumni and friends have now joined the cause and contributions can be given at any time throughout the year.

If you would like to contribute to the cause you can donate here.