I recently had the opportunity to talk with Jordan Fuhr, a Psychology student here at Missouri State. She is participating in service-learning through a Psychology course titled Human Diversity, taught by Dr. Adena Young-Jones. Jordan is completing her service-learning at the Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center, a program for homeless or at-risk youth that provides a clean, safe, drug-free environment. Youth at the Rare Breed may receive counseling, food and clothing. Also available are activities, GED classes, bathing and laundry facilities. I would like to thank Jordan in advance for sharing with us her experience: What have you been doing thus far with the Rare Breed? So far I have been completing my training and I have even begun to communicate with the youth independently. I have been able to help in every area of the Rare Breed center including the kitchen, the clothing dispensary, and the front desk. I have worked as a greeter, as well as in the office and also I've been able to participate in an empowerment group for the youth. What has been your favorite moment with … [Read more...] about Service Learning Spotlight: Jordan Fuhr
The Office of Citizenship and Service-Learning at Missouri State and Jana's Campaign are partnering to bring together community leaders and experts to open a dialogue regarding the issues of relationship and sexual violence to identify services, struggles, and solution strategies facilitating community-based problem-solving for this important issue. Drs. Curt and Christie Brungardt of Jana's Campaign travel nationally to speak against domestic violence. Their mission is to share the story of their daughter, Jana Mackey, a Kansas University law student whose life was cut short because of relationship violence and how they turned that tragedy into action. They will be introduced by MSU President, Clifton Smart. The summit will begin at 8 AM with a welcome breakfast, sponsored by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. There will be two sets of concurrent sessions starting at 9 AM and 10:50 AM. After a networking lunch in PSU Ballroom West, Drs. Curt and Christie Brungardt will discuss "Turning Tragedy to Action" at 1:30 PM in the PSU Theatre. Please visit the … [Read more...] about Relationship Violence Intervention Summit
Lee Dukes is a Missouri State student taking Dr. Knapp’s Social Inequality class, offered through the Sociology program. Dr. Knapp’s class was given the opportunity to take a service-learning component class which gets to select from partners that relate to social inequality in the Springfield, MO area. Lee opted to complete his service-learning experience to the Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center (RBYOC). The Rare Breed serves homeless and at-risk youth in the Springfield area. The goal at the Rare Breed is to help keep kids safe, off the streets, and moving forward by helping them set goals, achieve stability, complete education, and gain employment. Lee recently sat down with me and we discussed his experience at the outreach center. As a service-learning student, Lee finds himself performing a number of duties for the YOC including: giving youth referrals, performing street outreach, leading a life-skills group with the goal of promoting tolerance and acceptance, day-to-day operations, and performing a number of trainings on confidentiality and boundaries. Working at … [Read more...] about Service Learning Spotlight: Lee Dukes
Students enrolled in MGT 400 recently travelled to the Atlanta area to participate in an alternative Spring Break service-learning experience. Part of their service-learning took place at the Jolly Avenue Community Garden, a refugee community garden in the town of Clarkston, the setting for this year’s MSU common reader “Outcast’s United”. The class was fortunate to also have the opportunity to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site one day. Each evening, students broke into small groups to discuss and reflect on the day’s events. We invite you share in some of the experiences of the trip by reading Emma Donovan’s blog post which she wrote after reflecting on the happenings of that day. This morning we went to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Museum. It is so eye-opening to really consider the fact that he was assassinated only about fifty years ago. Humanity has come so far in the struggle to end persecution and suffering, but today I was reminded that we still have such a long way to go. Across the world, children are starving, people of all backgrounds are … [Read more...] about A Perspective from Atlanta’s Service Learning Alt. Spring Break: Emma Donovan
Registration is now open for the annual CASL Service-Learning Faculty & Staff Conference, to be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. For those of you who attended the Beyond the Borders: The Future of Service-Learning conference in 2012, this year’s conference promises to be even more inspiring and motivational. This year’s conference, Innovate…Impact: Changing Learning, Changing Communities, Changing Lives will provide attendees with valuable information from scholars in the field of service-learning. Sessions and presentations will focus on innovative strategies for implementing service-learning into curriculum and showcase opportunities that can truly impact communities and the lives of others. We have simplified the registration process this year. Rather than registering for each session individually, you only need to register once to attend any or all sessions, and then register if you plan to attend the luncheon. Registration ends on Monday, March 25, 2013. To register for the conference, go to My Learning Connection, click on Course Catalog and select Show All … [Read more...] about CASL Service-Learning Conference is Coming Up, Register Now!