Exploring Family Service Learning as a Framework for Community Engagement

Exploring Family Service Learning as a Framework for Community Engagement

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  TEMPLATE DESIGN ©2008 www.PosterPresentations.com Exploring Family Service Learning as a Framework for Community Engagement Ann Anaebere-Aneke, RN, PhD Omenala Service Learning Collaborative Introduction Family service-learning can be an accessible approach that strengthens both families and communities by combining meaningful service with intentional learning. Through service-learning, families can participate, grow together and serve their community regardless of experience or resources. Beyond meeting community needs, family service- learning promotes civic engagement, educational growth, career exposure, stronger family relationships, and personal development. It also has the potential to contribute to long-term community infrastructure due to sustained family community service activity. A review of the literature was conducted to identify and explore a family service-learning model and discuss how it can be applied to real-life family service- learning activities. This approach helps us examine strategies to promote family engagement, address community needs, and strengthen community connections. The purpose of this presentation is to describe how the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) Six- Step Family Service-Learning Model was applied by our community service group, Omenala Service Learning Collaborative. The presentation highlights strategies to support families in implementing service- learning initiatives within their communities. Service-learning is an instructional strategy that has linked community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility and strength communities. It is a tool to encourage students to participate in community service, while at the same time making sure that academic learning is a part of service. Service learning has mutual benefits for both the student and community development. Approach Putting the NCFL Model into Practice Direct •Involves person-to-person service where the project benefits an individual directly. •Examples: reading to kids, tutoring, providing health/legal education to juveniles or foster youth, health screenings for seniors. Indirect •Projects that benefit the community. •Examples: Habitat for Humanity, tree planting, neighborhood beautification, food drives, fundraising, web design. Advocacy •Educating individuals about issues that impact the community. •Examples: Writing, speaking, lobbying, or grassroots action. Research •Identifying new information that leads or guides action. •Examples: Collecting data to address community issues. Examples of Service Learning Benefits Contact information Benefits of family service-learning can include forging stronger family relationship and increased community connectedness. It can also provide educational enrichment and provide opportunities to engage in career exploration. Finally, family service-learning can encourage civic responsibility, provide mental health support, and forge opportunities for long-term community development. Family service-learning can be a very practical tool that helps families build human connectedness while strengthening communities. Continued family participation can create meaningful and sustainable positive change. Adarlo, G. (2020). Service-learning as global citizenship education: Acting locally on global challenges and concerns. IAFOR Journal of Education, https://doi.org/10.22492/ije.8.3.01 8(3), 7- 23. Cramer, J., & Toso, B. (2015). Family Service Learning brief. National Center for Families Learning and the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED593411.pdf Eppler, M., Ironsmith, M., Dingle, S., & Errickson, M. (2011). Benefits of service-learning for freshman college students and elementary school children. Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 11(4), 102-115 Mitchell, T., & Rost-Banik, C. (2019). How Sustained Service Learning Experiences Inform Career Pathways. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 25(1), 18-29. For questions or a complete list of references contact: Ann K. Anaebere-Aneke omenalaservice@yahoo.com What is Service Learning? Purpose Conclusion Highlighted References Our developed community service group, Omenala Service Learning Collaborative (OSLC) is a family- centered initiative that promotes meaningful community engagement through service-learning. OSLC seeks to encourage parents and children to identify community needs, collaborate on service projects, reflect on their experiences, and build a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility. Through service activities that benefit schools, churches, and local organizations, OSLC seeks to promote family service-learning by encouraging families to serve together, thereby strengthening both familial relationships and community connections. Application of NCFL Family Service Learning Model Step 1: Investigation Description: Parents and children investigate community problems. Our Application: Review local media, schools, and church concerns to identify community needs and service opportunities. Step 2: Planning/Preparation Description: Parents and children plan and prepare. Our Application: Use the who, what, when, where, why, and how framework to organize the project and coordinate with community collaborators. Step 3: Action Description: Parents and children carry out the activity. Our Application: Parents and children work together, with everyone contributing their time, talents, or resources to complete the service project. Step 4: Reflection Description: Parents and children reflect. Our Application: Discuss experiences, emotions, lessons learned, project outcomes, and ideas for improving future service projects. Step 5: Demonstration/Celebration Description: Parents and children share their activities and celebrate. Our Application: Share the project's impact through photos, stories, presentations, and local media while celebrating participants' contributions. Step 6: Continuation/New Action Description: Parents and children use what was learned for future service. Our Application: Evaluate experiences from an array of completed projects (i.e.: community clean-ups, donation collection and advocacy activities) to plan future service- learning projects that address ongoing community needs.