The document discusses Community Service Alliance (CSA), a non-profit organization based in the Dominican Republic that facilitates international volunteer and academic service learning programs. CSA aims to contribute to community development while facilitating personal growth for participants. It offers programs in areas like education, public health, and Spanish language immersion. CSA works with local communities and universities to design programs that meet student interests and community needs. It has experience partnering with various organizations on projects in public health, infrastructure, and youth programs.

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.