Background
In the wake of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Americans came together to support one another, remember those lost, and begin the healing process.  For some, the healing process continues by remembering our fallen friends and heroes through acts of citizenship.

Shortly after the tragic events of September 11th, members of the Maxwell DC Area Alumni Association came together to honor and remember our classmate, friend, and fellow alumnus, Brady Howell (MPA '00), whose brilliant life was tragically cut short in the Pentagon attack.  As a result of these meetings and countless conversations, the Maxwell DC Area Alumni Association created the Brady Howell Community Service Initiative as a means of not only remembering this outstanding American, but as a way of continuing his dedicated service to community and country.  

In the spirit of Brady Howell and the pillars of the Maxwell school, the Brady Howell Community Service Initiative was created as a volunteer-based community effort, aimed at encouraging Maxwell’s greatest resource, it’s Alumni, to donate their time and energy to several selected organizations that represent the interest and spirit of Brady Howell. The Initiative will focus on group-oriented events as a means of bringing our Maxwell community closer together while helping those in need.   All community service hours will be performed in Brady’s name. 

Events, Volunteers, and Communication
We hope to involve as many class years and as many DC area alumni as possible in this initiative.  Typically, the events will occur on weekends and require 10-20 people per event.  The Initiative will ask for volunteer “class reps” who will help generate participants, as they are needed.  We will post a list of class reps on the Alumni website and encourage everyone to contact their representative, or one of the event organizers, to volunteer for the events, which will also be posted on the website.  In addition to MaxNet (http://www.maxwelldc.org), the Initiative will communicate information on events andresults through the DC area alumni newsletter, the alumni e-mail list-serve, and periodic updates at alumni functions.  If you are interested in being a class representative please contact the Board at (maxwellvolunteers@yahoo.com).

Non-Profit Organization Partners

We look forward to partnering with a wide variety of DC area non-profit organizations. The following organizations have hosted events for the Brady Howell Community Service Initiative:


The DC Central Kitchen, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation founded in January 20, 1989 on the premise that waste is wrong, be it food, money, or the potential for productive lives.  On Saturday, March 9, 2002, the Brady Howell Initiative sent 10-15 volunteers to help prepare meals for the homeless.

Junior Achievement recruits, trains and assigns adult volunteers to classrooms to teach students basic economic concepts and workforce preparedness skills.  Volunteers serve as role models, providing both education and inspiration.  The Initiative sent Maxwell volunteers into DC area classrooms from K-12.  In addition, participated in the JA Bowl-a-thon fundraiser on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

Carpenters Shelter is Alexandria's main shelter for the homeless. In addition to providing emergency housing to families, single men and women, Carpenters provides the training and programs (A.A., adult literacy, mental health counseling) that lead to self-sufficiency.  Maxwell alumni created an event at the shelter to engage the 20-30 young people that call the Carpenters Shelter home.

Photos of Maxwell volunteers at the Junior Achievement program! Click here.