The Hope for Stanley Alliance is a largely student-led non-profit organization founded by the chair of the DeVos Sports Business Management program, Dr. Richard Lapchick, along with students from the program’s class of 2006. Recently changed from the Hope for Stanley Foundation, its creation was a response to the damage done by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the subsequent rebuilding that everyone knew would be necessary. Since its inception Hope for Stanley has been an integral part of the DeVos Sports Business Management program.
In August of 2008, led by Hope for Stanley coordinator Horacio Ruiz, as well as president Benjamin Pincus and treasurer Lauren Harris, 60 students, faculty, staff and alumni from the DeVos Sport Business Management program helped paint, hang drywall, mud drywall, install insulation, and move supplies in storage of the Lower Ninth Ward and neighboring St. Bernard Parish in a weeklong effort to aid in the rebuilding of homes in new Orleans. The volunteer trip encompassed 11 homes that needed repair or were in the rebuilding process.
During this time, the UCF contingent contributed 1,100 hours of community service—equivalent to one person working 40 hours per week for 6 ½ months toward rebuilding homes. The trip was the seventh taken by the DeVos program and the largest to date. It was also the first time that a volunteer trip served as the orientation for incoming DeVos graduate students.
Both the first year and second year students worked together, fostering a family-like atmosphere within the program that is truly unique. While it is not mandatory, 53 out of 60 students chose to attend. The incoming class of 29 was set up with a mentor from the class above them and, while this immediately improves the students’ contact lists, the benefit of knowing there is someone to turn to that has just finished going through what they are about to encounter is something that stretches far beyond a Rolodex. In addition, being able to interact with classmates before ever seeing the inside of a classroom cultivates relationships and initiates friendships that undoubtedly enhance the learning process once school begins.
While the business of sports is the core of DeVos program curriculum diversity, inclusion and the greater good are constantly stressed. Through this trip, students from a variety of backgrounds come together to experience people and events that show them what power working for something bigger than yourself can have. All one has to do is sit in the closing meeting and watch students, who have known each other for all of five days, cry and hug one another or listen to them speak about how this one trip has literally changed their lives and views on the world. It is a true testament to the strength of these trips that alumni from the class that created Hope for Stanley are still coming back to work and see that their efforts are being continued and built upon.
As for the citizens of New Orleans, not only are they ended a hand with the rebuilding of their houses, the find solace and comfort knowing that, even three years later, people still care. Believe it or not, some of them truly believed that they had been forgotten and a small group of MBA students has shown them otherwise. Hope for Stanley makes a point to get involved in the lives of the people it helps. Ms. Brenda Dupree, for example, is a resident of the Lower Ninth Ward who has made a special connection with the students in the DeVos program. Every time Hope for Stanley trips are planned students always request to go work on Ms. Dupree’s house. When asked what Hope for Stanley has meant to her she replied, “I cannot thank Dr. Lapchick and the DeVos students enough; the reemergence of hope was manifested in their presence and to this day it evokes deep emotions. I am further along in my overall recovery due to their love and commitment.” As anyone can see, the effects of these trips, from both sides, have lasted long after the students’ departure.
Although the Hope for Stanley Alliance is very much a part of the DeVos Sports Business Management program, these trips would simply not be possible without the help of the program’s namesake, Rich DeVos. After initially donating $2.5 million to start the program, he and his wife Helen have shown constant support, including a $100,000 donation in 2008, some of which went to the funding of this trip. Also, although no financial backing was necessary this time, the University of Central Florida has constantly supported The Hope for Stanley Alliance. From backing fundraisers and events to raising awareness for the cause to publicizing the students’ work, UCF is certainly behind Hope for Stanley and its efforts. The group was further assisted in the trip’s facilitation through Mr. Ruiz’s partnerships with local organizations All Congregations Together (ACT) and the St. Bernard Project, whose founder was recently named CNN’s Hero of the Year.
Within the DeVos program, students are taught to be business leaders committed to using the power of sport to improve life in a more inclusive society. That said, this trip was not without its industry interactions. The students were also hosted by the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena. Matt Biggers, vice president of marketing, and Bill Bailey, vice president of corporate strategic development, spoke to the students about their roles with the team and working in the New Orleans market. The students were also hosted at Tulane University by athletics director Rick Dickson, who spoke to them about his role in running a collegiate athletic department during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
Furthermore, many of the necessary skills needed in the business world were necessary for the successful completion of this trip. A strong work ethic to labor in the Louisiana summer heat from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, the ability to work as a team during this time, not to mention the capability to coordinate 60 people to be in the same place, get them to 11 separate locations and back are just a few examples of the many skills that are interconnected between the Hope for Stanley trips and the interactions students will encounter in the actual business world.
The DeVos program at the University of Central Florida prides itself as a leader of social change across all platforms and the actions taken by this group are further proof of this. Since December 2006, more than 550 volunteers have donated their time through the Hope for Stanley Alliance and each trip has the same goal: to help the population of New Orleans who have been underserved or, in some cases, not served at all. These people can change your life just by telling you their story of survival. They are always there with a thank-you, a hug, and a life lesson to which no amount of education could measure up. The city of New Orleans has so much history and character and the Hope for Stanley Alliance attempts to make certain that stays intact.