Cummunity -University Project for Literacy

1. Cummunity-University Project for Literacy English

2. Course Description Courses EN284: Language, Literacy and Community (Fall) EN285: ESL Tutor Training Seminar (Spring) The Community University Project for Literacy (CUPL)combines academic study and civic engagement focusing on the recruitment and training of a diverse pool of undergraduate students to work as tutors in community-learning centers in Greater Boston. S Students enrolled in CUPL tutor forty hours each semester while attending a weekly seminar that provides theoretical and practical foundations of tutoring and a forum for tutors to share experiences and problem-solve together.

3. Project Team • Cheryl Nixon, English Department Chair – Support all community outreach planning and programming; work to integrate existing English department reading program (“Guys Read/Girls Read”) into the Walter Denny Youth Center activities; assist with all course re-design and scheduling, assuring coherence with English department curriculum; publicize outcomes of project within department and college to gain support for future initiatives. • Carol Chandler-Rourke, Senior Lecturer, English: Re-design course content and activities; review and re-design current program assessment; attend CESI workshops and other professional development workshops; mentor work-study students; coordinate community outreach and team planning; document all project activities and results. • QueenetteSantos, Site Director, Walter Denney Youth Center: Participate in planning service activities for CUPL tutors at Walter Denny Youth Center; help with review and re-design of current program assessment and evaluation of community impact. • Jean Marc Jean Baptiste, Executive Director, Haitian-American Public Health Initiative (HAPHI): Participate in review and re-design of current program assessment; help to expand services to include civic participation and evaluation of community impact.

4. Project Goals • Redesign current course content to reflect an emerging need to add a youth service component to CUPL • Strengthen partnership and community planning for youth development and civic participation in community service projects • Redesign program evaluation processes to better assess project impact • Explore the possibility of expanding current course offerings of EN284 and EN285 to include winter and/or summer sessions.

5. Project Outcomes • Better integration of youth development content in current courses to better meet the needs of community youth and undergraduates working with them. • Enhanced community services through additional planning with the Walter Denney Youth Center and the Haitian American Public Health Initiative • Support undergraduate CUPL tutors and integrate “Guys Read/Girls Read” model using graduate student mentors; development of civic participation activities at the Haitian American Public Health Initiative (HAPHI). • More effective program assessment through review and re-design of current evaluation processes (including assessment of student and community impact). • Increase annual participation and community support during winter and/or summer sessions based on student and community needs; this may include on-line/blended course models.

6. Workshops • Course development and sharing promising practices • Assistance with developing standardized and streamlined procedures for operational project components such as CORI checks, liability issues • Being part of a larger network of faculty and community partners involved in civic engagement scholarship; and finally, gaining the support of a work-study student

7. Other • Looking at other development/structural support such as: • Work-study students, 4 credit courses, internship models, community-service club, collaboration on outreach to new students, interdisciplinary projects/courses, events which bring students together to share their experiences