Discovering Purpose through Volunteering at the Alliance
How do you prepare future doctors and therapists to truly understand the communities they'll serve? Oakland University and the Alliance together found the answer: give them volunteer experiences in those communities.
The partnership started with an OU ECLIPSE project focused on mental health and substance use. ECLIPSE (Explorations in Collaborative Leadership and Interprofessional Education) is one of only a few health science leadership programs in the country. It develops future health professionals through community, collaboration, and leadership. Students gain hands-on experience volunteering with CHIP (Community Health Impact Project) partners, applying what they learn in real-world community settings.
The connection between OU and the Alliance began years earlier through Justen Daniels, who partnered with the Alliance from 2020-2021 as an OU student for a year-long class project. He stayed in touch after graduation, which led to him joining the Alliance staff in December 2022. Having participated in ECLIPSE from 2018-2020 during his time at OU, Justen saw an opportunity to connect the program he loved with his current work.
As the Alliance Prevention Manager, he made that connection in the fall of 2023 when he facilitated the Alliance becoming a CHIP partner in the OU ECLIPSE Program. During this project, student groups created a campus-wide Positive Community Norms campaign focused on mental health and substance abuse prevention, aiming to start conversations, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and provide ways to support friends.
Justen recalls the impact of that initiative: "The students developed strategies to broadcast the Positive Community Norms campaign and created a proposal to boost engagement. Seeing that program implemented across campus showed the real impact students can have when given the opportunity to lead meaningful change."
For Janelle Zora, who is the Assistant Director for Student Services, Leadership, and Engagement and OU ECLIPSE Director, the Alliance ECLIPSE project was equally impactful. "Many of our ECLIPSE students aspire to careers as physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, and dentists. Their graduate programs often ask about ways they've impacted their communities through hands-on work. This partnership gave students the chance to raise awareness about substance misuse, provide educational resources, and support those affected."
She continues, "Some of the students initially lacked knowledge about substance use or felt shy speaking publicly. By the end, they were confident and capable. They walked away knowing that being a leader means stepping up to meet their community's needs."
Aneeta Danial, a CHIP participant and recent OU graduate, shared her experience: “Working with the Alliance opened my eyes to the stigma our society holds toward opioid addiction and misuse. I’m incredibly thankful to have had this opportunity and will carry what I’ve learned into my future as a physician. I will advocate for my patients, support those experiencing addiction with empathy, and strive to break down the stigma in our community.”
The success of this project led to an expanded partnership with Oakland University that continues today. The Alliance connected ECLIPSE students with the Rochester/Auburn Hills Community Coalition that became a 2024-2025 CHIP partner. The Alliance has also worked with OU Master of Public Health (MPH) students on research projects as well as hosted MPH practicums, giving students more ways to gain real-world experience.
"Partnering with OU students helps the Alliance remain a community-based organization. We are helping amplify students' voices while meeting community needs," says Justen.
Both leaders encourage others, not just students, to become volunteers. "You don't need to be perfect to make a difference!" Janelle says. "Too often we focus on not being 'good enough,' when part of being human is that we are always learning and growing."
Our communities need people like you. Your experiences, skills, and perspectives can make a difference. Discover how you can make an impact with the Alliance today: Sign up here!