On-Line Spring Semester Course: Foundations of Service Learning and Civic Engagement

From the UC Center for Service-Learning & Civic Engagement:

A new online course is being offered this spring semester: Foundations of Service Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE2019).

SLCE2019 (call number 706542, Division of Professional Practice and Experiential Learning) will cover the history, philosophy, and foundations of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. In this class, students will learn how to connect their passions and skill sets to the service of others and will have the opportunity to network with some of the most gifted servant leaders in the world. In addition to interacting with a very wide range of people, both locally and globally, students will:

• Participate in "hands-on learning" by working alongside fellow student-leaders
• Create an electronic portfolio to showcase their learning, service, and work
• Build their professional network by working with community servants and civic leaders
• Learn about leveraging social networks for the service of others

Click HERE and/or email SL@uc.edu for more detailed information.

Service Learning Opportunities in Morroco Summer 2013!

From the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement:

Experiential Learning Abroad Programs (ELAP), a division of International Studies Abroad (ISA) is pleased to announce new internship and service learning placements in Meknès, Morocco beginning Summer 2013. The following placements are available in Meknès: 

*Association for the Protection of the Moroccan Family 
*Center for Disabilities 
*Medical Clinic 
*Women's Rights Association 
*Youth Development 

Participating in an ELAP program offers students a first hand view into the social structures of the local community and gives them the opportunity to contribute to community development. These projects facilitate understanding of the local culture by recognizing the challenges faced by various communities and making a positive impact while abroad. 

Please visit the ELAP website: http://www.myelap.com for more information on these programs or contact the UC ISA Global Ambassador Liza Callis at callisza@gmail.com for questions about other study abroad options, including alternative spring break opportunities.

 

Prepare Now for National Literacy Action Week - Jan 28th-Feb 3rd!

From the UC Center for Service-Learning & Civic Engagement:

Throughout its history, SCALE has supported the activist initiatives of campus-based literacy programs across the country. National Literacy Action Week (NLAW) is a national initiative for strengthening literacy activism.

NLAW will take place January 28th-February 3rd, 2013. During this week, campus literacy programs nationwide join together to raise awareness about literacy and create change on their campuses and in their communities.

Every year NLAW occurs around the anniversary of the Greensboro Sit-ins. Students were integral to the success of the Civil Rights Movement, as they organized campuses and participated in Freedom Rides, sit-ins and marches. We celebrate that spirit for social justice today!

Learn more about why NLAW, why college students, and why February 1st!

Get ideas for projects!
Want to plan a project but don't know what to do? SCALE can help with that! Visit our website to find dozens of ideas and guides to help make your idea a reality.

Get resources to plan your project.

Read about past NLAW events here!

Receive funding for your project!
SCALE is has a limited number of mini-grants ranging from $50-200 available to Campus-Based and Student-Led programs and Individual Students who plan NLAW programs.

Register your project to receive funding!

Join our social media campaign!

SCALE will be leading a national social media campaign to advocate for literacy. Join us by posting tweeting literacy facts and activities in your communities with #NLAW.

Also, load your pictures and videos to Facebook and YouTube and let us know!

Find out more!

Still want more information? Attend our Webinar!
We will be holding a free Webinar on Friday, December 7th. Come and gain tools to advocate for any cause you're passionate about. We will also provide a brief introduction of National Literacy Action Week, and be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Register now! 

 

 

$500 Grants to Help End Childhood Hunger - Apply by Dec 16th!

From the UC Center for Service Learning & Civic Engagement:

More than 16 million children live in food insecure homes, not always sure where their next meal will come from. That's why YSA and Sodexo Foundation are calling on young people to "take hunger personally" and join the fight to end childhood hunger.

$500 Grants to Help End Childhood Hunger in Your Community!
Sodexo Foundation Youth Grants of $500 grants are available for youth-led service projects that bring together young people, families, Sodexo employees and other community members to address childhood hunger. U.S. young people, ages 5-25, are eligible to apply. Projects will take place on or around Global Youth Service Day, April 26-28, 2013. Learn more and apply at: www.YSA.org/grants/sodexoyouth

Submit your application early to receive feedback! Submit your application by December 16th and YSA will preliminary review your application and give you feedback by January 4th.

Need project ideas? Here are 10 Ways You Can Help End Childhood Hunger:
1. Find ways to put surplus food to better use.
2. Organize food drives or fundraisers.
3. Plant or spruce up a school or community garden.
4. Volunteer at a local food bank, pantry, shelter, or community kitchen.
5. Start or support a backpack feeding program.
6. Support and raise awareness of summer feeding programs.
7. Increase use of SNAP (formerly called food stamps) and/or Free and Reduced-Price School Meals programs.
8. Help teach families about healthy eating and cooking.
9. Raise public awareness of childhood hunger in your community.
10. Advocate for policies and programs that will help end childhood hunger in your community.

For additional details and examples of past GYSD projects, visit www.YSA.org/blog/2012/11/15/10-ways-you-can-help-end-childhood-hunger.

Questions? Please contact grants@ysa.org 

Service Learning in India - Mar 13th-24th

From the Center for Service-Learning & Civic Engagement:

Service Learning India 

March 13-24, 2013 

INTB 5020

Program Description:  This 14-week course will focus on how to develop sustainable business ventures  as a vehicle to solve social  problems.  Students will partner with an Indian non-governmental organization (NGO)  committed to empower, educate, and rehabilitate sexually exploited women and children from rural India.  While in India over spring break, students will study the NGO, develop a sustainable business model for the NGO, talk with entrepreneurs, and listen to the women’s stories.  Class projects will include digital storytelling as a way to assist the NGO to spread their story and expand their mission.   

 

Information found at www.business.uc.edu/intb/ug/india

 

For more information contact lee.armstrong@uc.edu   tel:  556-7081 

Tutor Training on Diversity & Cultural Competence

UC Learning Assistance Center (LAC) partnered with UC Athletics for a joint training of their tutors.  Peer Tutoring is offered for free to all UC students through the LAC.

While many other Bearcats are buzzing about campus with Welcome Weekend activities, these student leaders are participating in a multi-day Tutor training.  One of the many topics they're training on was Diversity & Cultural Competence.  RAPP staff got to spend an hour in discussion with the group of five dozen Bearcats as we explored how diversity & cultural competence relates to their Tutor role, dove into issues of diversity at UC, and reflected on five key skills of inclusive leadership that can enhance their work and growth in their role.

RAPP offers free workshops and trainings to the UC and Cincinnati community.  Learn how you can schedule a free session with us through our Outreach page.

Supplemental Instruction Leader Training on Diversity & Cultural Competence

UC's Academic Excellence & Support Services offers Supplemental Instruction (SI) through its Learning Assistance Center.

Here's what that is, according to the SI website:

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students in "historically difficult courses" — courses in subjects with a high rate of D or F grades and withdrawals. SI is provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of the course material and improve their grades. 

These review sessions are facilitated by SI Leaders, who are students who demonstrated success in the topic and are trained to facilitate students' learning in these review sessions.

The week before classes start, these SI Leaders participant in a multi-day training.  One of the topics was Diversity & Cultural Competence.  RAPP staff got to spend an hour in discussion with the group as we explored how diversity & cultural competence relates to their SI Leader role, defined diversity at UC and how we are each a part of it, and played with five key skills of inclusive leadership that can enhance their work and growth in their role.

Join the BearChats Conversation Partner Program!

Join the BearChats Conversation Partner Program!

The Learning Assistance Center is piloting a new conversation partner program, called BearChats. Bearchats matches domestic students with UC’s international students to help create cross-cultural communication opportunities. 

BearChat partners will meet once per week for one hour to have a conversation, grab a coffee, or just chat. For more information about the BearChats Conversation Partner Program, visit http://www.uc.edu/aess/lac/bearchats.html.