Alumnus Keeps It Personal, Shows How to Make a Difference

The Hawks for Hunger campaign has brought a heightened awareness to the staggering statistic that more than 22,000 children in the Cape Fear area are at risk of hunger. Long-time community advocate Daryl Dockery '06 is leading the fight to change this statistic, not only to feed these children, but to also nurture their minds.

Daryl opened the doors to Wilmington's Residential Adolescent Achievement Place (WRAAP) in 2005 and has been recognized for its community programs year after year. He measures WRAAP's success with test scores, evaluation interviews and other performance outcomes, like the distribution of 20,000 pounds of food last year with the help of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C.

Photo credit: http://www.nc-wraap.com/media.html

Wilmington residents are fortunate to be enjoying the same coastal city the 20-year, non-profit veteran calls home. Daryl's passion for volunteer work and community activism has provided him with opportunities to partner with different local groups, as well as UNCW.

"His positive approach has brought UNCW faculty and students, business leaders, government officials, law enforcement officers and a variety of community volunteers together with children and families," shared Dr. Kathy Fox, Chair of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education in the Watson College of Education (WCE).

Daryl currently serves as an WCE Advisory Board member, a group of community members sharing knowledge for the integration and future of WCE programs in our communities. He has also worked with the Cameron School of Business, piloting a Young Entrepreneurship Program.

Ken Smith, WRAL News Anchor (left) and Daryl Dockery '06 (right).

As the Hawks for Hunger campaign winds down and coordinators get ready for meal distribution, Daryl is focused on this opportunity to address, "some gaps in services that help benefit at-risk children and families." He's excited about WRAAP's role in the campaign, noting it's perfect fit with one of his principles of successful social entrepreneurship: "personal involvement is the key to academic and social change."