Kean Receives 9/11 Day Grant to Lead Student Service Initiative

Kean University has received funding through the 2026 9/11 Day Grant Program, administered by the nonprofit 9/11 Day in collaboration with AmeriCorps.

Led by Kean’s Human Rights Institute (HRI), “HRI Unites” features four events that will bring students together to assemble care packages for veterans, community organizations and youth education initiatives. Kean will also hold a remembrance ceremony on campus, joining a nationwide effort to commemorate September 11 through service and community action.

“It’s important for the Human Rights Institute to commemorate 9/11, because it is part of civic engagement,” said Sarah Coykendall, managing assistant director of HRI. “We can turn somberness into action and honor the victims of 9/11.”

The initiative begins with “HRI Unites: A Day of Remembrance and Service for 9/11 Day” on Thursday, September 10, at 2 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial near Townsend Hall. The event will include a moment of silence and remarks from Kean senior Susan Berube, the 2026 winner of HRI's Outstanding Student Human Rights Activist Award, and junior Cdt. Cole Hamilton, a member of the Center for Veteran Student Success.

Following the ceremony, students will begin assembling hygiene and seasonal care packages for organizations serving veterans, as well as educational items for K-12 students.

Additional “HRI Unites” events will take place Monday, September 14, on Cougar Walk outside Vaughn-Eames Hall, and Tuesday, September 15, at The Nancy Thompson Learning Commons. The events will give students more opportunities to create care packages with positive messages and themed items. The main drive will be held Thursday, September 17, in the Greek Lounge at the Miron Student Center, with more than 10 student organizations registered to participate.

“This is Kean’s foundation,” Coykendall said. “We are all about providing equitable access to education. If students don't have the necessities, they are less likely to come to class. By providing these materials back into the community, we can promote equitable and accessible means of education.”

Donations from the initiative will support Community Hope, New Jersey Veterans Network, Trinitas Hospital, Josephine’s Place, City Relief, YWCA Union County and Cougar Pantry.

HRI will also develop classroom service kits for select New Jersey middle schools. With millions of Americans now too young to remember September 11, the initiative provides an opportunity to connect younger generations with the history of 9/11. The packages will include September 11 remembrance and education materials, along with age-appropriate activities and items, extending the service initiative into local classrooms. 

“When we applied for the grant, we did so specifically proposing different types of care package drives, plus an extra component for school engagement,” said Alyssa Mae Alvarez, graduate assistant at HRI.

9/11 Day is administering $3 million in grants and Kean is one of approximately 200 nonprofit organizations, schools and community groups across 40 states selected to receive funding. 

The initiative is also inspiring students to build on the initial September service projects. Kean student Lauren Chirinos is planning a December “HRI Unites” donation drive benefiting two homeless shelters in Elizabeth. The effort grew out of her involvement in the 9/11 Day initiative and HRI’s work.

“My whole initiative stems off of what Alyssa and HRI are planning for the 9/11 Day of Service,” Chirinos said. “We have a goal to collect at least 100 care packages for local homeless shelters.”