www.csadr.org

1. Community Service Alliance
Changing lives, transforming communities.

2. Why participate in international
programs in the D.R.?
 Integrate academic study with substantive volunteer service, creating a
powerful dynamic between direct cultural exposure and academic
learning.
 Gives student a fuller understanding of social issues in our globalized
world.
 Gives students in social service and other disciplines a better
understanding of cultures that are migrating to North American
(growing Latino population).
 Proximity of D.R. to North America
 Low security risks for groups.
 Variety of possibilities for service learning.

3. About CSA
Community Service Alliance (CSA) is a
secular non-profit organization based in
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Vision: Contribute to the positive
development of communities in the
Dominican Republic, while facilitating the
personal transformation of international
participants.

4. Programs & Services
 Academic Service Learning
 Focusing on a specific subject area (Education, Public
Health, Social Work, Spanish and Culture)
 Blend formal learning with hands on work in local
communities
 Volunteer Service trips
-Alternative spring break trips
 Spanish Immersion
-Spanish immersion (1:1)
-Group Spanish classes
 Consulting/community projects
-Training/capacity building
-Program Evaluation
-Support for community projects

5. CSA Partners
 Universities
 International Organizations
-United Nations
-Partners in Health
 Other organizations & churches

6. Planning the Program
 Joint program design with University contact to design personalized programs to
meet students’ specific interests and guarantee academic competencies are
accomplished.
 CSA works with communities to ensure that service learning projects are helpful
and appropriate for both students and community.
 CSA’s multicultural, qualified staff accompanies in each stage of the planning
process.

7. CSA Current Local Projects
Province CSA Partner Description
Elias Pina Partners in Health -HIV/AIDS prevention and care for those living in cross-
border communities
Hato Mayor Juana Saltitopa Building capacity of the women’s group:
Women’s Group *Construction of a community center
*Training
*Development of small businesses to generate income
Neyba PDA World Vision -Health education projects (nutrition education, repair of
homes, reserach, medical outreach, aid to health
facilities)
San Juan Clinica Cristiana -Public health education
-Medical outreaches
Puerto Plata Catholic church- -Improvement of educational infraestructure
Fathers/Claret -Facilitation of children’s summer camps
-Training of youth and teachers

8. CSA accomplishments
 Building of two schools in rural Puerto
Plata.
 Building a house for a family whose home
was destroyed by a hurricane.
 Survey conducted in Neyba with World
Vision in Malnutrition and public health
programs
 Help building organic compost bins for
coffee farmers & reforestation project in
nursery in Villa Nizao.

9. CSA accomplishments
 Medical outreaches that each reach over
1000 people in 5 days.
 Construction of school/community
center in Hato Mayor.
 Construction of 80 latrines in the batey
of Lecheria and Puerto Plata.
 Construction of Tuberculosis clinic in
the batey of Palave
 Conducting leadership training of peer
educators in public health.

10. Previous University Projects
 Daemen College: Public Health focus/15 health studies undergrads
facilitated a week-long health training with 50 women in Hato Mayor,
January 2009.

11. Previous University Projects
 Colgate University: Undergraduate students from a variety of
disciplines work with youth to develop drug prevention plans, paint
murals and conduct nutrition workshops for mothers.

12. Previous University Projects
 Virginia Commonwealth University: Social work students support a
local preschool program after participating in a week of language and
cultural studies.

13. CSA Elements of Success
 Blending of academic study and service project.
 Service project designed to forge personal relationships between students
and communities.
 Win-win relationship: student resources meet REAL needs in the local
communities.
 CSA provides continuity to projects--- each short term support contributes
to a long-term goal.