AUBURN, Ala. – Children’s Harbor, an Alabama nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the families of seriously ill children, has entered into a formal partnership with Auburn University Outreach. The partnership will provide meaningful educational and service opportunities for university students while strengthening support for families in need.
The partnership, outlined in a signed memorandum of agreement, will allow Auburn University students to complete supervised internships and clinical placements at Children’s Harbor. In return, Children’s Harbor will provide access to real-world learning experiences that align with both organizations’ missions of education, service and community impact.
“This partnership is a powerful example of what happens when higher education and mission-driven nonprofits come together,” said Cat Outzen, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Harbor. “We are not only creating pathways for Auburn students to serve and grow but also reinforcing our commitment to families who need a safe harbor during difficult times.”
Key components of the agreement include:
- Internships and clinical placements: Auburn students will receive hands-on training and mentorship opportunities while supporting Children’s Harbor programs.
- Shared resources: Auburn Outreach will provide support in grant-writing and access to university expertise, while Children’s Harbor will offer meeting space and collaboration opportunities.
Even though the partnership has recently been formalized, Children’s Harbor and Auburn University have collaborated previously on initiatives. Children’s Harbor has hosted Auburn’s dietic interns and nursing students at camps, Auburn’s Apparel Merchandising & Design Association students designed adaptable Halloween costumes to make trick-or-treating more accessible for children, and Auburn University’s Assistant Professor in Landscape Architecture Dr. Frank Hu is leading a design studio based on landscape master facility planning for Children’s Harbor’s Harbor Lodge for Winter/Spring 2025.
Royrickers Cook, vice president for University Outreach and associate provost at Auburn, believes the partnership is an example of community-focused learning.
“Our students benefit from real-world experience, and families facing medical hardship receive increased support,” Cook said. “This collaboration puts our shared mission into action.”
For more information, please call Allie Hendrix at 334-300-8019 or Janie Echols-Brown at 334-844-5120.
About Children’s Harbor
Children’s Harbor provides refuge, respite, and resources to families with children who have experienced a life-altering medical diagnosis. The families and caregivers we serve seek a safe refuge when faced with unexpected life circumstances. Our comprehensive services complement medical treatment through thoughtful efforts which anticipate needs, focus on mental and social wellbeing, and offer a built-in support system familiar with each family’s unique situation. These no-cost services are offered at The Harbor Family Center at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham and at the Lake Martin retreat facility in Alexander City.
About Auburn University
Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.
