Transcript Service-Learning Orientation

VOLUNTEER & SERVICE LEARNING CENTER
Cleveland Hall 306
Buffalo State College
716-878-5811
Laura Hill Rao, Coordinator
SERVICE-LEARNING
ORIENTATION
www.buffalostate.edu/offices/cdc/vslc
Look for service-learning designated
courses in the course catalog.
WHAT IS SERVICELEARNING?
A form of active learning that links learning
in the classroom with activities that
students participate in to address the
needs of the surrounding community.
Reflection
Academic
Goals
THE TRIANGLE OF
QUALITY
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Community
Need
* Connecting with a new neighborhood
* Improving your resume
* Replacing a class paper or presentation
* Exploring professional fields
* Making a difference!
WHAT ARE THE
BENEFITS OF
SERVICE-LEARNING?
* Developing and improving skills
LAST YEAR
@ BSC
* 38,493 hours of service
* 86 service-learning courses
* 7 events
SERVICE-LEARNING
ACROSS CAMPUS
* 1,677 students
National Association of Colleges and Employers, Class of 2013
BSC STUDENT REPORTED
BENEFITS OF
SERVICE-LEARNING
* Working as part of a team
1.
Communication skills (verbal)
2.
Ability to work in a team
*Communication skills
3.
Problem-solving skills
* Problem-solving skills
4.
Plan, organize and prioritize work
5.
Ability to obtain and process
6.
* Research skills
information
* Analytical skills
Ability to analyze quantitative
* Critical thinking skills
data
* Computer skills
7.
Technical skills
8.
Computer skills
* Social self-confidence
9.
Communication skills (written)
* Public speaking skills
10.
Ability to sell or influence others
* Real world experience
NOTICE ANYTHING?
TEN TOP SKILLS
EMPLOYERS WANT
78 % would encourage
best when connections are
other students to try
made to real life
service-learning
93% felt they learn from
88% felt they could make
people who are different
a difference in the
from them
community
STUDENT
POST-SURVEYS
83% learn course content
BUFFALO’S ASSETS
* People
* Recreation
* Architecture
* Arts and Culture
* Great Lakes
* Higher Education
* Cost of Living
* Urban Gardening & Farming
* 2,000 people are homeless on
any given night in Buffalo.
* the 2nd most abandoned
homes in the USA.
* 49% of Buffalo’s children
(under age 5) live in poverty.
* Buffalo’s housing vacancy rate
(15.7%) is triple the rest of Erie
County.
* 1/3 of the adult population in
Buffalo live below the poverty
line.
* the 5th most segregated city in
the country.
* 33% of women in Buffalo have
experienced domestic violence.
BUFFALO’S
CHALLENGES
* the 3rd poorest large city in the
nation.
* Many settle on the
West Side due to
abundant and low cost
housing, as well as easy
access to public
transportation.
* 24% of all refugees that come into
New York State settle in the Buffalo
area.
* In 2011 Buffalo resettled 1,600
refugees; the expected number in 2012
is over 2,000.
*Buffalo’s most diverse
region with over 70
languages are spoken,
with countries of origin
including Bhutan,
Ghana, Somalia, Sudan,
Burma, Bangladesh,
Thailand, Nepal,
Afghanistan, Iraq, and
Pakistan.
NEW ARRIVALS ON
BUFFALO’S WEST SIDE
* There are four
resettlement agencies
and 2 post-resettlement
service agencies located
in or within 2 miles of
the West Side.
* Poor children are twice as
likely to have repeated a grade,
to have been expelled or
suspended, or to have dropped
out of high school.
* The high school graduation
rate for the city is 54%. Without
a high school diploma, a young
person is twice as likely to be
unemployed.
* 85% of all child care programs
in Buffalo do not meet national
standards.
BUFFALO’S YOUTH
* 42% of youth (ages 5-18) in the
city of Buffalo live in poverty.
* Increase the number of
clients served
* Incorporate new ideas
* Better meet community
needs
* Increase services offered
* Increase mentoring
services
* Make new connections
YOUR
SERVICE-LEARNING
EXPERIENCE
HELP COMMUNITY AGENCIES
THAT PARTNER WITH YOUR CLASS TO:
GETTING STARTED
* Introduce yourself, identifying your college, class
and professor
* Be respectful of time constraints they may have
* Be as flexible and accommodating as your
schedule allows
YOUR
SERVICE-LEARNING
EXPERIENCE
* Be professional
EXPECTATIONS
* Be reliable
* Be respectful
* Be responsible
* Be willing to learn new skills
* Communicate effectively-speak to the
appropriate person
YOUR
SERVICE-LEARNING
EXPERIENCE
* Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things
* Keep an accurate
record of your service
hours.
* Have the community
agency or staff verify
your hours and sign your
service log.
* Sign and return to
your professor.
YOUR
SERVICE-LEARNING
EXPERIENCE
SERVICE LOG
Check the VSLC website www.buffalostate.edu/offices/cdc/vslc
or call the office at 878-5811 for information about:
* upcoming events
* additional servicelearning courses
* AmeriCorps Peer Leader
Program
Service-learning students have the opportunity to attend an 8 hour
workshop presented by the BSC NCBI Coalition Building Team,
“Welcoming Diversity and Inclusion”. Talk to your faculty member or
the VSLC for more information.
WHAT’S NEXT?
* current volunteer
opportunities
*120-400 hours of service is required and should span your
career as a BSC student.
* Visit the VSLC website
www.buffalostate.edu/offices/cdc/vslc for details.
CERTIFICATE OF
RECOGNITION FOR
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
* BSC students can now earn a Volunteer and Service-Learning
Center (VSLC) Certificate of Recognition for Community
Engagement for their extended involvement as a BSC student
in community service, service-learning, and other community
based work.