The Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development recognizes sport as a bridge for community building and supports student-athletes use their platforms to make a positive and sustained difference in their community. We aim to build a culture of engaged service within Cal Athletics that is rooted in authentic community and campus based partnerships - leading to mutual learning, positive impact and enhanced connection within and between Cal Student-Athletes, UC Berkeley and our East Bay community. 

Through the Community Engagement Pillar, student-athletes and Cal Athletics teams engage a "learn-plan-do-reflect" cycle of engaged learning to…

• Connect to, and collaborate with, civic and equity-focused campus and community organizations, resources, and service opportunities that align with their interests  

• Cultivate knowledge, skills, perspective, and commitment to make a positive difference

• Contribute to their community during and beyond graduation 

Rotating, timely Strand 1 service opportunities for individual student-athletes & teams

As defined by the UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center, basic needs as an ecosystem that includes: financial stability; nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure and adequate housing; accessible and equitable health/medical care, technology and transportation. Organizations and projects within this issue area may include preventative or emergency relief strategies  to assist people to access essential services that impact health, belonging, and overall well-being. (UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center)

This issue area is expansive and encompasses both mental health and wellness alongside public health and health equity.  Health disparities are defined as “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with economic, social, or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social or economic obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic -status, gender, age, or mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion.” a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with economic, social, or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social or economic obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic -status, gender, age, or mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion. (Healthy People 2020)”

The World Health Organization constitution states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health. Mental health is determined by a range of socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors. Organizations and projects within this issue area aim to promote, protect, and restore mental health. (World Health Organization (WHO)

Educational opportunity and equity means that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential, regardless of zip code. Organizations and projects within this issue area may also intersect with sports-based youth development, and have a particular focus on underrepresented, low-income students. Organizations and projects within this issue area likely include  partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations, connecting Cal student-athletes with young people to build early college awareness, confidence, readiness, and life skills

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations. Organizations and projects within this issue area may include efforts to fight climate change, conserve natural resources, encourage sustainable practices and policies. Environmental sustainability is connected but distinct from environmental justice -which focuses on ensuring all people and communities have the right to equal environmental protection under the law and community involvement to everyone has the right to live, work, and play in healthy and safe environments, regardless of race, geography, or socioeconomic status.   

Environmental Justice is focused on reducing health disparities that are the resulte of historic inequities - the movement to “improve and maintain a clean and healthful environment, especially for those who have traditionally lived, worked and played closest to the sources of pollution.” (NDRC)

Racial justice is the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all. Racial justice — or racial equity — goes beyond “anti-racism.” It is not just the absence of discrimination and inequities, but also the presence of deliberate systems and supports to achieve and sustain racial equity through proactive and preventative measures. Organizations and projects within this issue area aim to preserve and extend constitutional rights to people who have been historically marginalized and denied rights on the basis of race. (ACLU)

The Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development recognizes sport as a bridge for community building and supports student-athletes use their platforms to make a positive and sustained difference in their community. We aim to build a culture of engaged service within Cal Athletics that is rooted in authentic community and campus based partnerships - leading to mutual learning, positive impact and enhanced connection within and between Cal Student-Athletes, UC Berkeley and our East Bay community. 

Through the Community Engagement Pillar, student-athletes and Cal Athletics teams engage a "learn-plan-do-reflect" cycle of engaged learning to…

• Connect to civic and equity-focused campus and community organizations, resources, and service opportunities that align with their interests  

• Cultivate knowledge, skills, perspective, and commitment to make a positive difference

• Contribute to their community during and beyond graduation