The Project

In 1999 Keep Austin Beautiful and The University of Texas Volunteer and Service Learning Center partnered to initiate The Project. Thirteen years later the event has become one of the largest one-day student and community run service events in the nation. The goal of the project is to promote community service among UT students, faculty and staff while building a strong relationship with schools and community leaders to develop work that will best impact the neighborhood.

Project 2012 - February 25th, 2012 in the Dove Springs Neighborhood. Visit the website at www.utproject.org for more details about The Project.

On Saturday, February 25^th, 2012 from 9am to 5pm UT Project volunteers set out to clean up and beautify the Dove Springs and Onion Creek communities.  UT brought out 1,604 students who were joined by 110 students from St. Edward’s University, 130 Texas Exes and 205 student staff and committee members.  Overall there were over 2,000 volunteers at 51 sites!

Project sites included:

- Mendez Middle School     

- Rodriguez Elementary School

- Franklin Neighborhood Park

- Kendra Page Neighborhood Park

- Ponciana Neighborhood Park

- Dove Springs Recreation Center

- Widen Elementary School

- Perez Elementary School

- First Independent Baptist Church

- Blazier Elementary School

- Langford Elementary School

- And many more public and residential areas

In addition to the neighborhood improvement projects UT students and Consuelo Mendez Middle School hosted a Community Health Fair from 11am-3pm the day of The Project. The fair’s goal is to bring together the residents of Dove Springs and Onion Creek, City of Austin agencies, UT Austin and St. Edwards University student organizations, and local groups to provide resources and entertainment for everyone in the community. The fair featured information and activity booths for families, as well as performances and presentations by several local groups.

The Project was made possible by the support from the following organizations:

- Austin Independent School District

- Austin Parks and Recreation Department

- Austin Parks Foundation

- Consuelo Mendez Middle School

- St. Edward’s University

- The Austin Project

- Texas Exes

The generous support and donations from the following also enabled the success of The Project 2012: 

The Home Depot Foundation, University Federal Credit Union, The Home Depot Store 6542, UT Student Government, Whole Foods Market, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Seton Healthcare Family, UT Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, IMG World, HEB, Dunkin Donuts, Big Red Sun, Texas Coffee Traders, Pluckers Wing Bar, Austin City Councilmembers Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo, US Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Texas State Rep Eddie Rodriguez and Elliot Naishtat, Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, Austin ISD District 2 Trustee Sam Guzman and more.

Click here for more photos from The Project 2012.

Learn more about The Project at www.utproject.org.

Project 2011 - February 26th, 2011 in the Rundberg Neighborhood.  CLICK HERE for photos and details.

Project 2010 - February 27th, 2010 in the St. John Neighborhood CLICK HERE for photos and details.

Project 2009 - February 21st, 2009 in the Rosewood Neighborhood CLICK HERE for photos and details.

Project 2008 - February 23rd, 2008 in the Montopolis Neighborhood.  CLICK HERE for photos and details.

Project 2007 - February 24th, 2007 in the North Austin neighborhood of Quail Creek.  CLICK HERE for photos and details.