How Can I Help My Neighbor?

A group of Bradley University public relations students recently won the prestigious Ebeling PR-ize™ for their “How Can I Help My Neighbor?” project. The students teamed up with Jolt Harm Reduction and Crafted DIY Studio and Bar to educate local residents on how they can make a positive difference for Peoria’s homeless population.  

Created by Bradley alumnus Chuck Ebeling and faculty member Ron Koperski in 2004, the Ebeling PR-ize is a competitive program in which Bradley’s senior PR students form agency teams responsible for planning and implementing a real-world public relations campaign.

Through in-depth conversations with Jolt, the students found that well-meaning residents often try to help the homeless population directly, rather than work with local nonprofits familiar with their actual needs. To remedy that issue, the students’ campaign centered on the creation of a website that can be used by the general public to focus and improve those efforts. The group also hosted an event at Crafted DIY Studio where they educated the public and raised funds for Jolt. Visit their website at howcanihelpmyneighbor.wordpress.com. PM