A Community of Learners

Students in Service-Learning Programs Modeling Just Relationships

Carrie Hutnick, Saint Joseph’s University 2012

Faith-Justice Community Roles at SJU Service Scholars

Partner with professors Work in pairs in the classroom Communicate logistics

Training Contact information Service cancellations

Respond to reflection Facilitate class discussions on justice Coordinate with Placement Liaisons Regular staff meetings and supervision

Faith-Justice Community Roles at SJU Placement Liaisons

Partner with community organizations Work in Faith-Justice office and in the community Regularly attend meetings with organizational staff Communicate placements to organizations Conduct “Awareness Training” to prepare students for

service Cultural lens Logistical responsibilities Performance responsibilities

Retrieve attendance reports from organizations Facilitate organizational feedback on student

performance

Personal Development Academic

Understanding issues: Reading Seeing real application: Observation Receiving guidance and support: Supervision

Civic Performing meaningful service Building just relationships Developing a critical social analysis

Personal Writing reactions Processing emotions Talking about perceptions through dialogue

Community Development Purpose

Why do we care about each other? Why do we work together (what common values)? Why do we need each other?

Outcome What should relationships look like? What should society look like? What should policies look like?

Process How do we participate in a meaningful way together? How do we form relationships that reflect our

outcome? How do we make sustainable change?

Community for Faith-Based Action Preparing students to live the word of the

Gospel, living and treating others as Jesus did Personal faith

Academic- Education Civic- Faith in action Personal- Spiritual/theological reflection

Faith community Purpose- Agapic love/One body Outcome- Human dignity Process- Faith-Justice*

Spiritual journey unique to each student

Community for Civic Engagement Prepares students to be active participants

and promote a just democracy Personal citizenship

Academic- Education Civic- Citizen participation Personal- Value formation

Democratic community Purpose- Common good Outcome- Social justice Process- Civic Engagement/Organizing

Students as citizens must determine what role in society they take

Faith Community at SJU- Purpose Agapic Love- Students enter into relationship

to love and support one another, and to build meaningful and just relationships

Activities to Promote Agapic Love and aSense of Common Good Personal credos Personal Check-ins Share the Love Coffee Dates Martha Mary Dinners Retreats

Eyes meditation Community Builders Shared responsibility Unstructured time Affirmations

Faith-Sharing

Faith Community at SJU- Outcome Social Justice- Students learn and train together

to understand what justice looks like and how to best effectively lead their peers in transformational service and learning as a community

Activities to Promote Human Dignity and Social Justice Group service PL/Scholar Training

Facilitation techniques Reflection responses Professionalism Problem-solving

Understanding of Social Justice Theories Types of service and justice Stakeholders in service Reflection and process Power and Privilege

Social issues in Philadelphia/Camden Familiarization with Organizations in

Philadelphia/Camden

Faith Community at SJU- Process Faith-Justice- Students learn to model those loving

relationships as part of a just community outside of the Service-Learning program, on campus or in the community and beyond their time as an undergraduate

Activities to Promote Faith-Justice Scholars:

Facilitating class discussions Supervision and guidance Regular meetings with professors Responding to journal entries

Placement Liaisons: Facilitating service training for students Developing relationships with organizations Arranging and attending regular community meetings

Leadership at staff meetings Community meetings for group

education/reflection

Basic Elements of Community Diversity of perspective for dialogue and learning

Just relationships for empowerment and understanding

Shared values or goals for common purpose

Critical analysis of issues for justice and change

Co-creation of experience for meaningful action

Community Outcomes Continued support from peers after graduation

Example: Julian Tools to build community in future career and

civic roles Example: Stanley

Understanding of social change as a collective effort Example: Ashley

Skills to build healthy and just relationships Example: Cassie

Self-Reflection of purpose and vocation Example: Allie

Questions for Discussion 1. How is community built in your program or classroom?

2. Why is building community important to training students in civic engagement?

3. What knowledge, skills and motivations do you think are necessary for students to build a “just community”?

4. How might issues of power, privilege and identity be different in communities on campus than those students form “outside.”

5. How might civic engagement faculty and/or students navigate perspectives that may be different or even at conflict with one another when attempting to build a strong community of learners?

6. What role does the faculty or staff member have in a student community in civic engagement? How are professional and administrative responsibilities balanced with modeling just relationships and community for (and with) students?