Each year, hundreds of Yale alumni, students, staff, family, and friends take part in Yale Day of Service, giving back to local communities across the country and around the world. In this series, we’ll be spotlighting a few of those Yalies, who discuss how they got involved and what service means to them.
This week, we feature Genevieve Fu ’05 MArch, who got started with Yale Day of Service 13 years ago. She shares how she first became involved in Yale's alumni service community and how she continues to gives back.
How did you become part of Yale’s alumni service community?
I attended my first Yale Day of Service event in 2009. I was living overseas at the time and just happened to notice that we were going to be in Kansas City visiting my partner's family for the Yale Day of Service that year. He and I, along with some of his family members, helped out with some gardening tasks at a local youth center. It was very rewarding to reconnect with my community in a town we were visiting and lend a helping hand to such a well-run event.
Tell us a story or vignette that exemplifies service for you and why service through Yale is a priority in your life?
I volunteer on a regular basis with the more active shelter dogs on the Running Team at the Oregon Humane Society. We help these dogs get their extra energy out and spend time outside of the shelter to help them be their best selves when potential adopters come to meet them. I have been organizing Yale Day of Service events with the Oregon Humane Society for several years, which I love because it helps me bring my two communities together for a good cause: homeless dogs!
What would you say to a fellow alum about meaningful reasons to get involved with Yale service activities?
As Yale graduates, I find it imperative we share our resources through service to our communities. Our lives are richer for sharing them with those who need our help.
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To find a service project near you, visit our 2022 Yale Day of Service project page.
And visit our Spotlight on Service page to see all the service spotlight conversations.
