A single puzzle piece is the national symbol for autism awareness. It is also, the driving force behind the philanthropic work done by CSUN’s volunteer program, Unified We Serve. According to Autism Speaks, the largest autism science and advocacy organization in the country, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with the disease. Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and pediatric AIDS combined. Since Fall 2010, Unified We Serve has participated, organized and… Read more

CSUN’s Interfraternal Council (IFC) held a hot dog eating contest Tuesday to benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest advocacy group for autism research. Through chapter participation and on-site donations, IFC raised the largest campus donation this year of $1,960 for Autism Speaks, said Justin Weiss, coordinator of Unified We Serve, CSUN’s volunteer program. “Autism is the fastest growing epidemic in the United States with 1 in every 110 children diagnosed,” Weiss said.  “The IFC has taken on the challenge by… Read more

Unified We Serve’s food and clothing drive collected donations on the steps of the Oviatt Library last week to help families in need around the Thanksgiving holiday. On Saturday, local families were able to  go to Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND), a privately funded facility that provides emergency food, clothing, medical, vision, dental care and job placement services to struggling families in Pacoima, to receive packages of food and clothing for their families. Justin Weiss, CSUN’s Unified We Serve coordinator, said… Read more

Unified We Serve concluded its second annual clothing and food drive Wednesday. The organization collected food, clothing and books for underprivileged families in the San Fernando Valley and displayed the items on the steps in front of the Oviatt Library. “We want to show the campus the power we have, as a campus, when we come together,” said Justin Weiss, activities coordinator for Unified We Serve. Before the event concluded, Unified We Serve had collected over 3,000 food items, more… Read more

The introduction of the 2nd Annual CSUN Campus Clothing and Food Drive sparked a friendly competition between Senate members Tuesday as the A.S. vice president challenged them to get involved in the cause. Neil Sanchez said he wanted A.S. student leadership entities, which consist of the Senate, various executive committees, finance, elections, and the SPACE board, to run the location with the most food and clothing donations on campus. There are eight donation locations on campus, including the Fitness Center. Sanchez… Read more

A.S. and SPACE were recognized for being the first entities on campus to take on a campus-wide challenge against autism. Ali Garcia, the executive director of SPACE, and Justin Weiss, coordinator for the Unified We Serve volunteer program at CSUN, presented a  $1,693 check to the executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Autism Speaks. “I want to thank you,” Phillip Hain said. “It means so much to me as the executive director and a parent of a son… Read more

Against a gray and misty backdrop, several CSUN groups cheerfully gathered Sunday morning to participate in the 26th annual Los Angeles AIDS Walk. Despite the dismal weather, spirits were high in support of the cause, as nearly 275 CSUN students and staff joined a reported 30,000 supporters who showed up for the 10-kilometer walk in West Hollywood Park, said Justin Weiss, activities coordinator of volunteer program and services at the Matador Involvement Center. CSUN club members, organizers, and representatives from… Read more