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Refugees Come to Campus for Church World Service Family Day
Barry University hosted the Church World Service (CWS) Miami Family Day last month, welcoming some 35 members of refugee families who had recently arrived in the United States.
Families from Afghanistan,
The family members were treated to a day of informative and fun-filled activities, including a presentation about the American college system, art activities for children, and a women’s soccer match.
During their first few months in the United States, refugee families usually experience difficulties of various kinds, said CWS Miami Refugee Resettlement Specialist Phillip Rincon, a Barry alumnus.
“Many of the families rarely leave their apartments,” Rincon explained. “It’s important for them to have an opportunity to socialize and experience American culture as they adjust to their new homes.”
Supervised by the CCSI, Barry Service Corps (BSC) Fellows Naif Alkhathran, Hailee Jeffries, and Presler Maxius worked with Rincon to plan the Family Day, which included the participation of Spanish and Urdu interpreters, coordination of public transportation from the families’ homes to campus, and participation of the Athletics Department (School
BSC Fellows Seretse Davis and Rajon Wright and BSC member Joanna Adams facilitated games for the children.
Service-learning students assigned to CWS this semester supported the event by escorting the families to and from campus on public transportation, assisting with translation, playing games with the children, and preparing gifts for the families. The service-learning students included Elizabeth Muñoz, Anel Ramirez, Yobany Segovia, Mackenzie Shelton, Riccardo Testoni, and Felix Vega Pagan.
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Symposium to Highlight Community Dimensions of Experiential Learning
Barry’s fourth annual Community Engagement Symposium will highlight community-focused dimensions of experiential learning.
As defined in the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), “Experiential learning is a process in which students acquire and apply knowledge, skills, and values in a relevant setting. The process involves linking theory and practice through student engagement and critical reflection.”
Experiential learning includes “high-impact practices” such as service-learning, undergraduate research, diversity/global learning (through study abroad), internships, and capstones. It also includes community-based research, fieldwork, practicum assignments (student teaching and clinical placements), and adventure-based activities.
The title of Barry’s QEP is “Fostering Personal and Social Responsibility through Experiential Learning.” The intended learning outcomes are categorized as (1) ethical and moral reasoning, (2) engaging diverse perspectives, and (3) community engagement and collaboration.
Successful proposals will highlight aspects or features of experiential learning activities that engage faculty, staff, and/or students with community partners at the local, regional, state, national, and/or global levels.
Proposals for presentations should be submitted by January 20.
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Community Engagement Awards: Categories Include Community Partnership
Community Partnership is one of the seven categories of community engagement awards for which nominations are being accepted.
The Community Partnership Award recognizes exemplary partnerships between university and community constituencies that produce measurable improvements in people’s lives while enhancing higher education. Special consideration is given to partnerships that strive to achieve the systems and policy changes needed to address the root causes of social, economic, health, and environmental disparities in the community.
It expected that four partnerships will be recognized in this category. The award will be presented to community partners.
In addition to Community Partnership, the award categories are Community Impact, Community-Based Research, Engaged Scholarship, Community Engagement Educator, Service-Learning Faculty, and Engaged Department.
The fourth annual Community Engagement Awards will be held on March 29. The nomination deadline is January 27.
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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Campaign Continues
The CCSI’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Campaign continues this week.
Launched on Nov. 1, the month-long campaign is focused on refugees and stateless peoples, affordable housing in South Florida, food access and food justice, and teenage homelessness.
The Nov. 1 deliberative dialogue titled “Welcoming Refugees or Closing Our Borders” was a highlight of the campaign. Last Saturday’s turkey drive benefiting families supported by Church World Service was included in the campaign, as was participation in the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ “Behind the Braids” demonstration in Miami.
For further information on the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Campaign, contact the CCSI at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.
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Students Volunteer at Community Health Fair
A group of Barry nursing and physician assistant (PA) students recently volunteered at a health fair for homeless people in Miami Beach. The group provided health screenings as well as wound care.
More than 50 people benefited from at the health fair, which was organized by the Miami Beach Community Church.
Joining the students were Professors Suzanne Jaffe and Faye Milne of the College
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Faculty Invited to Apply for Service-Learning Fellowships
The Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) invites faculty members to apply for service-learning fellowships for the 2017–2018 academic year. Two fellowships will be available.
Through the fellowships, successful applicants participate in a yearlong faculty development program focused on service-learning pedagogy, practice, and associated scholarship. Each service-learning fellow gets a course release to complete a special project and eventually to serve as a faculty mentor and engaged scholar.
Fellowship details and the application form are available in the Community Engagement Management System (CEMS), which may be accessed from the CCSI homepage. The application deadline is January 30.
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Faculty Learning Community Seminar Set for November 22
An engaged scholarship seminar is set for next Tuesday, Nov. 22, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The CCSI will host the seminar in Room 208, Adrian Hall.
Engaged scholarship integrates faculty work in the areas of teaching, research, and service that addresses community issues.
The engaged scholarship seminar is part of the program of the Faculty Learning Community for Engaged Scholarship (FLC).
Any faculty member may join the FLC and attend the seminars scheduled throughout the academic year. Prospective members are urged to attend this month’s seminar.
For further information, contact Dr. Laura Finley, FLC facilitator, at lfinley@barry.edu, or the CCSI.
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CCSI Newsletter
Posted On : November 14, 2016
