Esprit University Chapter Program

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The Esprit University Chapter Program is a student-led initiative designed to engage, develop, and empower the next generation of leaders who believe in wellness, service, and unity. These chapters serve as regional leadership hubs for Esprit Wellness Foundation’s broader mission: to support veterans, dependents, and their communities through wellness-focused programs and the long-term development of the nation’s first Esprit Veteran Recreation & Wellness Center.

Each chapter directly contributes to the advancement of our nonprofit goals through community engagement, fundraising, awareness campaigns, and service-based leadership — with the flagship chapter based at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).

Students involved in Esprit University Chapters lead meaningful programming throughout the academic year. Activities are designed to benefit veterans, support mental and physical wellness, and grow awareness of Esprit’s national impact.

Key activities include:

• Planning & Leadership Meetings
  Organize chapter events, coordinate volunteer opportunities, and lead fundraising efforts through structured team meetings.
   
• Campus Wellness Events
  Host fitness sessions, mental health panels, de-stress pop-ups, and group activities promoting wellness for veterans and the wider campus community.
   
• Veteran & Community Service Projects
  Participate in campus and local initiatives such as food drives, care package prep, service days, and outreach efforts focused on vulnerable or underserved populations.
   
• Fundraising & Builder Campaigns
  Raise funds in support of EWF’s national programming and help finance the future Veteran Recreation & Wellness Center in Chicago through chapter-led campaigns and events.
   
• Guest Speaker Series
  Bring in veteran leaders, mental health professionals, and industry experts to educate and inspire chapter members and peers.
   
• Builder Challenges
  Compete in national service, impact, or fundraising goals with other chapters to earn recognition, challenge coins, and permanent listing on the Builder Wall of Honor at our first Rec Center.
   

Many veterans lose their sense of structure, purpose, and connection after military service. At the same time, students across the country are looking for meaningful ways to lead and serve. The Esprit University Chapter Program bridges that gap — creating opportunities for students to make a measurable impact while helping build a community-centered space that honors those who served.

This program allows students — veterans, dependents, and supporters alike — to:

• Lead with purpose
   
• Engage in mission-driven service
   
• Build lifelong leadership skills
   
• Contribute directly to the development of the Esprit Veteran Recreation & Wellness Center

Participation in the Esprit University Chapter Program is more than a student experience — it’s a stepping stone to lifelong impact.

Benefits include:

• Official recognition as a chapter member and EWF mission leader
   
• Hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, event planning, and community outreach
   
• Resume-building skills tied to wellness, leadership, and service
   
• Challenge coin and Builder Certificate upon graduation
   
• Priority access to EWF internships, employment opportunities, and leadership training
   
• Recognition on the Builder Wall of Honor inside the future Rec Center
   
• Lifetime access to the EWF National Alumni Network

Esprit University Chapters are open to:

• Student veterans
   
• Military dependents
   
• ROTC cadets
   
• Undergraduate and graduate students
   
• Any student committed to service, wellness, and making a long-term impact
   

No military background is required. What matters is your desire to lead and serve.

By developing university chapters across the country, Esprit Wellness Foundation is building a nationwide movement that empowers young leaders while raising support and awareness for the construction of our flagship Veteran Recreation & Wellness Center in Chicago — a space designed for veterans, dependents, and the communities that support them.

Every chapter brings us closer to that goal. Every member leaves a legacy.