Overview
A key component of the Administrating Service-Learning Seminar is community-based
service. As with all productive service-learning programs, this course seeks to link the academic
study of course readings and class theory with active involvement and participation in a
needed community defined service project (Eyler and Giles, 1999, p 174). A minimum time commitment of three hours a week to the service site was required.
(Jones, 2000, Course
Syllabus).
Desired Learning Outcomes
As a result of my service experience, I endeavor:
- to increase my understanding of what service-learning, service and communities truly
are;
- to be involved in needed, worthwhile, and challenging community-based service, as
designated by the service-site organization, and to make a positive and useful
contribution to the community being served;
- to reflect on and challenge any personal assumptions and biases, in order to build an informed perspective and to appreciate different perspectives, as well as understand how power and privileges shape these perspectives;
- to understand the role of social and historical issues in the development of communities
and how service-learning can address those issues;
- to actively engage and explore a diverse community which is different from my own;
- to investigate the key components for designing useful service-learning programs and facilitating effective community building;
- and to comprehend challenges related to administering service-learning programs in higher education
The Service Sites
Youth To Youth International
The Youth to Youth International organization began in Columbus, Ohio in 1982, as one
of the first community based �no use� youth leadership programs that focuses on middle
and high school students. The main mission of Youth to Youth is to harness the powerful
influence of peer pressure and make it a positive force that encourages young people to
live a life free of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Youth to Youth is a tremendous
organization, recognized for outstanding impacts on promoting drug free youth.
Sponsored by the Comp Drug Corporation, and based in downtown Columbus, the main
responsibilities of Youth to Youth include organizing drug-free state wide
events, Youth to Youth presentations in schools, drug free conferences, and weekly fun,
prevention focused youth team meetings.
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My role in Youth to Youth adapted to assist the changing needs of this
organization.
Prior to beginning my service, my responsibilities were discussed with the service-site coordinator and involved dynamic and hands-on experiences--traveling to Ohio schools as a Youth to Youth representative and auditioning youth drug
prevention groups for the statewide "Just Say No" rally, assisting the staff with the organization of a Safe and Drug-Free Schools Consortium event, and mentoring students at the weekly Youth Team Leader Meetings.
While engaging in my service experience, the most pressing needs of this organization became more administrative in nature. Though I was disappointed that my duties evolved in a different direction than I expected, I was pleased to have assisted the Youth to Youth coordinator in a useful and productive way. I feel fortunate for this experience because it provided the ideal opportunity for me to truly learn what community-based and
directed service is.
To find out more information feel free to visit their web site at: http://www.y2yint.com/
The SouthSide Initiative
�Educating and unifying the SouthSide community in winning the battle against alcohol,
tobacco, and other substance abuse by building stronger youth and families,� is the mission
statement of the SouthSide Initiative Program. Based in the SouthSide community of
Columbus, an area of high crime and drug abuse, this organization has a primary focus of
preventing drug abuse for the at-risk youth. As a new program funded by the United
Way and established approximately six months ago, the SouthSide Initiative conducts a
number of short and long term programs that aim to develop a strong network of
community citizens that promote healthy lifestyle choices. Creating collaborations for
young people to succeed, the SouthSide Initiative is also working with Teen Institute, The
Salesian Boys and Girls Club, and the DARE Program.
Still working with the SouthSide Initiative after the completion of my service-learning class, my role in this organization has been an exciting and challenging one. The necessity for a high school youth leadership development program with a "no use" message was highlighted when I first discussed the goals of this organization with the coordinator.
With a challenging undergraduate/graduate degree program in leadership
studies, and over twelve years of experience in leadership and drug-prevention, I was thrilled about being able to significantly contribute to this program's objectives.
I am currently completing the design, format, curriculum, student workbooks, and instructor manuals for the Young LEADERS Workshops--an 8-week hands-on high school youth leadership program with the focus �Lead your own life with the skill and the will to say no.� Gaining input from the initiative and the youth of the community, has been essential to the creation of this
leadership development program.
For more information about the Young LEADERS Workshops please feel free to e-mail: [email protected], contact the SouthSide Initiative at (614)299-6781, or direct correspondence to: SouthSide CAN, PO Box 06376, Columbus OH 43201
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