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Becoming Involved with Literacy in Your Community Dr. Ann Russell Director of Writing Programs Madonna University

Becoming Involved with Literacy in Your Community Dr. Ann Russell Director of Writing Programs Madonna University.

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Becoming Involved with Literacy in Your Community Dr. Ann Russell Director of Writing Programs Madonna University

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  1. Becoming Involved with Literacy in Your CommunityDr. Ann RussellDirector of Writing ProgramsMadonna University

  2. “To be literate is a uniquely human experience, one that enables us to deal with ourselves and better understand one another. It is never a mechanical process that is solely dependent on skills that are taught.”--Denny Taylor and Catherine Dorsey-Gaines, Growing Up Literate: Learning from Inner-City Families.

  3. What is community literacy?

  4. Community literacy is a form of literate action that allows: • Everyday people within the urban community to take agency in their lives and for their community; • Everyday people from places of privilege to participate in this struggle for understanding and social justice. • Linda Flower, Community Literacy and the Rhetoric of Public Engagement

  5. What kinds of projects are considered “community literacy” projects? Here are a few examples….

  6. Forging school-community partnerships that can increase students’ success. • Tutoring K-12 students in writing and reading. • Tutoring/mentoring community members who want to earn college certificates or degrees. • Providing students and other community members with access to and knowledge of technology.

  7. Bringing literacy activities “to the streets.” • Working with community members to gather and publish life stories. • Working with community members on writing that addresses public issues.

  8. Helping the community produce “street papers,” newsletters, creative work, etc. to strengthen community identity or disseminate information of importance to the group.

  9. Fostering an ongoing constructive dialogue between groups at odds with each other for the purpose of solving differences and/or fostering better understanding. Teens and school authorities. Parents and educators. Local merchants and city government. Groups whose cultural differences affect interactions. Community and police, etc.

  10. For good examples of projects--with thoughtful reflections--read Writing and Community Engagement: A Critical Sourcebook (2010) Thomas Deans, Barbara Roswell, and Adrian J. Wurr

  11. What is a community partner, and why is one needed?

  12. Community partners are stakeholders. Community partner: a local institution, civic body, organization, neighborhood, etc. that is invested in the community and shares similar or complementary concerns and goals with the university group.

  13. A literacy project needs one or more community partners because they connect us with the community. They can teach us a lot about the people they work with and the challenges in their own neighborhoods.

  14. Over the years, Madonna University’s mission, which includes “a commitment to serving others through a liberal arts education,” has inspired a variety of community-focused projects. These experiences benefit both students and community, and promote Madonna University’s mission and core values

  15. A few years ago MU Writing Program faculty members decided to explore starting a community literacy project. There was an obvious place to start—Southwest Detroit.

  16. SWEEP—The Southwest Women’s Educational and Empowerment Project—is a coordinated outreach effort between Madonna University and the Religious of the Sacred Heart...

  17. …that focuses on low-income, non-traditional (working adult), minority (principally African-American and Latina) women who, for economic, geographic, or other reasons, have been unable to pursue a college degree.

  18. Through the SWEEP program, Madonna has been involved with postsecondary education for nontraditional students in the southwest Detroit area since 1998.

  19. But preparing for postsecondary education needs to start earlier in students’ lives. All kinds of literacy initiatives can help.Our group began by asking how we could assist several already-established programs in Southwest Detroit.

  20. How our first project started:Step one: Invited instructors and tutors to volunteer for the project.Present team: seven faculty and staff members with backgrounds in teaching and tutoring writing, reading and English as a Second Language.

  21. Step Two:Learned more about the area and specific community organizations. Read more about others’ community literacy projects and experiences.

  22. Step Three:Met with several potential partners and heard their concerns. Eventually:--partnered with Southwest Solutions Learning Lab and Urban Neighborhood Initiatives,--focused on adult basic education, and--agreed our roles would be to train and consult.

  23. MU now has three small, separate projects. The newer ones involve working with a core team of area high school writing teachers and offering a writing/publishing project for students at SWEEP.

  24. Guidelines that we’ve set for ourselves:1. Clearly identify your group’s reasons for getting involved in community literacy.2. Do some homework: know something about the local literacy programs, the neighborhoods, the students/clients with whom you’ll be working.3. Assess your combined skills/knowledge so you’ll know exactly what your team can offer.4. Agree on general goals and pedagogical approaches.5. Don’t bite off too much; start small and build your resources. 6. Focus on what your community partners want/need.7. Make a long-term commitment to your partners.

  25. 8. Evaluate your project on a regular basis. 9. Take responsibility for the preparation and performance of tutors/students, etc. from your institution.10. Build in continuity and incentive for the students/clients.11. Connect with others who are involved in community literacy.12. Be imaginative, creative. Have fun!

  26. Although we’re still in the early stages of our projects, we will gladly share our experiences, our group’s guidelines, and community literacy bibliographies.

  27. We hope you’ll share your own experiences, insights, and information about your projects on this website.

  28. Please send questions, comments, and information toDr. Ann Russell Communication and Writing 2418 Academic Bldg. Madonna University 36600 Schoolcraft Road Livonia, MI 48150-1176 (734) 432-5438arussell@madonna.edu

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