COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUGGESTED PROJECTS  

YWCA/USF Family Village Child Development Center: Contact Person-Brett Engisch 727-827-0357, 429 6th Ave. South

We have students from 2 months to 5 years of age. We would be delighted to have students come to a classroom each week for forty minutes to an hour and teach a game or activity from a different culture. Students could bring in pictures, songs or materials to help the students gain an appreciation for the differences in cultures as reflected in the ways they play or celebrate. This project would be with the twos, threes or fours. 

We do have different cultures and languages represented in our school. Some of our students are not entirely fluent in English and could use a friend to talk, interact and help with their language acquisition skills each week.

Babies and toddlers are amazing to observe. Recent brain research tells us they are processing and acquiring information at a rapid pace throughout the first three years. From a psychological perspective, someone could interact with and record their progress over a period of time. Language acquisition is a major goal for our toddlers and any extra attention in the form of play, stories and songs would benefit each child.

There are probably many other projects that students may propose. We would welcome suggestions. Our students are eager to learn through play. Teachers would , of course, always be present and available for feedback. Brett Engisch would be available for consultation. In order to volunteer at the YWCA, one must complete a form that verifies your moral character as well as an application form. The Affidavit of Good Moral Character must be notarized. Dress is casual. We are a smoke free environment.

 Pinellas County Schools, Safe Schools and Healthy Student Initiative: Contact Person: Cindy A. Flora 727-586-1818 florac@pinellas.k12.fl.us

      1) Student could assist in the implementation of the Pinellas County Schools Talking Schools Program, which is an initiative under the Safe Schools and Healthy Student Grant.  The program is a series of intergenerational, small group dialogues (study circles) hosted by district high schools which allow adults and high school students to come together to address an issue, examine different viewpoints on the issue, and find common ground for constructive action.  Student could participate in these culturally diverse dialogues, assist in their coordination, and provide follow-up services in regard to the action plans developed by the participants.  Computer experience with Mac and/or Windows would be a plus, but a willingness to interact with others and learn from that interaction is even more important.

      2) Student could assist in the coordination of services and training for Pinellas County School's Principal's Multicultural Advisory Committees (PMAC) and their multicultural liaisons and committee sponsors. Working with personnel from the Office of Community Services and Human relations, the student would become acquainted with many district initiatives directly related to multicultural education.  Student would be able to observe and attend committee meetings, assist in providing materials and services for liaisons and committees, and possibly serve in a community advisory role for selected committees.  Computer skills on Mac and/or Windows would be a plus, but a willingness to connect personally with schools and promote student leadership is even more important.

 United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, English as a Second Language Program: Contact Person: Martha A. Lane 906-8003; marthaalane@earthlink.net

 1.  Take a quick introduction to teaching English from UMCM and then have an opportunity to observe a lesson, then teach 6 or so  lessons on their own. We go into some homes, teach others at our literacy office.

 2.  Record and prepare for publishing on our website some oral histories of Southeast Asian families.

 3.  Help people practice English via computer and video programs.

 4.  Help people practice for taking their American citizenship test, learn work vocabulary, or other special need.

 5.  Perhaps observe and serve as a classroom aide in our preschool for Southeast Asians

Other ideas:

1. Teaching Beginning English, one-to-0ne, to individuals or families.  2.  Capture Oral histories of refugee families, individuals - post on UMCM web.  3.  Organize, advertize and carry out field trips for people new to American culture an event that’s “very American” - garage sale, baseball game, etc.  4.  Help people practice English via computer, the web.  5.  Help people practice for their INS citizenship test.  6.  Perhaps observe and serve as a classroom aide in our preschool for SE Asians.  7.  Develop a public awareness and tutor recruitment campaign - we are very short on volunteer tutors.  8.  Write and post to UMCM’s web page simple lesson units based on Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences that introduce newcomers to life in the Tampa Bay area, American everyday culture, etc.  9.  Research what happens to families who were served in UMCM’s SE Asian preschool.  10.  Research the most common job opportunities and Stumblingblocks for newcomers who don’t speak English.  11.  Prepare short fact sheets on the cultures and countries of refugees now coming to Pinellas County - pattern such material after Center for Applied Linguistics resources.  Prepare powerpoint presentations highlighting who is coming to America now - for use in tutor training workshops, online resources, etc.

Special skills or abilities needed for this service learning opportunity: (Computer, heavy lifting, Some requre computer or creative writing skills.  UMCM would provide any training needed.

Boys and Girls Club: Contact Person: Carl Lavender, executive director, 5111 66^th st n, Suite 200,St. Petersburg, FL 33709; 546-1032; carl.lavender@bgcsfl.org

Students will be responsible for after school tutoring and homework assistance program.  Students will also be responsible for creating a cultural audit of the organization, so that we can determine the next steps regarding arts & cultural expression and exchange.

 Special skills or abilities needed for this service learning opportunity: (Computer, heavy lifting, How to:  conduct surveys, manage children, organize activities, speaking skills, computer skills Collecting and recording oral history of local citizens of African descent, and documenting in Heritage News Journal.  Assist with marketing the Heritage News through offering media exposures in exchange for sponsorship. 

Special skills or abilities needed for this service learning opportunity: (Computer, heavy lifting,  Computer, layout and design, good customer service, and marketing skills needed.         

 Florida Humanities Council; Contact Person: Susan Lockwood 553-3807 slockwoo@helios.acomp.usf.edu

 1) Working with Fl. Center for Teachers on teachers' survey re using diversity seminars in their classrooms.

 2) Working with Speakers Bureau on survey of speakers doing diversity presentations, in terms of audience reactions, need for more.  Needs work. David Reddy the contact.

 3) Working on Parallel Lives ‑ addressing issue of race relations. What works? What doesn't? Janine the contact here.

 4) Grant program: Working with Joan Bragginton on diversity grantmaking.  What we've done? Evaluate Common Path initiative.  Impact on small sponsoring organizations? small towns and rural communities?

Florida Holocaust Museum; Contact Person Noreen Brand 727-820-0100; nbrand@flholocaustmuseum.org

1) Research for Holocaust Survivor Interviews

2) Docent and speaking about museum (training provided;

 3) Project research

 4) Exhibit Preparation

 5) Collections Management

St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Contact: Dawna Sarmiento  821.1200    dawnaspfc@aol.com

 1. Working with the homeless by serving at the Community Kitchen at the Free Clinic’s Mens’ Shelter and assisting with referrals at their Thrift Store.

2. Assisting at USDA Food Distribution sites and working in We Help Food Pantry

3. Assisting at their clinic for the medically needy by doing intake, readings, internet research, journal readings. Students may also conduct telephone interviews/conversations with people in other cities who are working with similar populations.

4. Grandparents Support Group help is need to coordinate resources available through the Free Clinic to grandparents and other caregivers raising children other than their own.

 The Sunshine Center – Office on Aging, Marti Frappier 893.7101   MMFrappi@stpete.org

1. Attract intergenerational groups to senior center and enhance existing health promotion programs.

2. Initiate college classes at the Senior Center.

American Indian Movement, Contact: Sheridan Murphy 826.6960  amifl@aol.com

1. Assist in organizing a large scale resistance to the Chasco Festival, a regional celebration deemed by many to be offensive and demeaning to Native Americans and their history.

2. Legal and clerical work within the organization.

Juneteenth of Tampa Bay, Inc., Contact: Jeanie Blue 821.3833  Juneteenth@gte.net

 1. Collecting and recording oral history of local citizens of African descent, and documenting in Heritage News Journal.

2. Assist with marketing the Heritage News to the community through offering media exposure in exchange for sponsorships.

 National Conference for Community and Justice, Contact: Mike Trepper  or Roy Kaplan  568.9333   rkaplan@nccj.org

1. Help in the development and implementation of the Partners for Peace program. This project involves training and creating teams of volunteers who will introduce multicultural diversity and conflict resolution materials in area elementary and middle schools.

 CASA Center Against Spouse Abuse, Contact: Nina Smith 895.4912   nsmith@intnet.net

1. Child Advocate Assistance: Help supervise children’s groups, help develop crafts/learning activities, assist with tutoring

2. Legal Advocate Assistant: Interview clients and assist them with court process.

3. Community Education and Resources: Help supervise volunteers, canvas businesses, prepare press releases, research funding sources, act as community developer.

Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program, Contact: Gigi Camara 893.1311 x 213   gcamara@ccdosp.com

1. Assist a small group of refugee children with their homework and other school related activities.

2. Work with refugee children in their own classrooms helping them with oral language skills.

3. Research with the children to learn about resources that are available to students.