OVERVIEW OF 2010-2011 LEARN AND SERVE PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA

MULTIPLE SITE LEARN AND SERVE PROGRAMS

University of Georgia, 4-H
A Learn and Serve incubator program to award two sets of mini grants that will introduce service learning to local school systems and to school principals and teachers, plus provide small amounts of funding for first year service learning projects. Locations: up to 30 counties; statewide eligibility.

Heart of Georgia RESA
A ten-county program of Learn and Serve sub grants divided into three levels; $500 mini grants for programs new to Learn and Serve, $1,000 grants for implementation at schools with trained faculty, $5,000 competitive grants for schools with previous Learn and Serve experience.
Locations: Bleckley, Dodge, Dublin City, Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, Wilcox counties

Communities In Schools
A partnership Learn and Serve program with Communities In Schools affiliates targeting disadvantaged students to prevent dropouts and increase graduation rates at eight participating alternative schools. Goal is to motivate unsuccessful students to learn how an education provides the foundation for job and life skills through out-of-classroom service projects.
Locations: Barrow, Berrien, Catoosa, Cobb, Douglas, Laurens, Marietta City, Americus-Sumter

Crossroads Second Chance Alternative School
An experienced and successful former Learn and Serve sub grantee, this school proposes to be the hub for service learning projects involving other alternative schools in Fulton County. The focus is on civic engagement and academic achievement for at risk middle and high school students. Locations: to be determined within Fulton County

SINGLE SITE LEARN AND SERVE PROGRAMS

Cross Keys High School
Focus on graduating seniors, partnering with Ga. Dept. of Labor for job skills, career choices. Service project with Woodward Elementary School focused on childhood obesity.
Location: Atlanta

Emory University
A partnership between Emory University’s Office of University – Community Partnerships office and Sammye E. Coan Middle School in Edgewood neighborhood of Atlanta. Emory faculty and students mentor middle school students and guide service projects, create pathways from middle school to higher education.
Location: Atlanta

Valdosta High School
Building on previous experience with service learning, this project targets student behavior problems and absenteeism with activities that connect students and public safety officials to improve community disaster response.
Location: Valdosta

Fort Middle School
The entire student body of 500 plus will participate in this Learn and Serve project that focuses on transferring math and science skills to outside the classroom service. Goals are to connect math and science to daily living skills and academic applications in the workforce / careers.
Location: Columbus

Pulaski County Middle School
A project connecting classrooms to technology, careers and environment through service, this Learn and Serve program has been implemented for the past four years. Service projects include a Job Shadow Day for 8th graders, a community computer lab and environmental projects on the Ocmulgee River.
Location: Hawkinsville

DeKalb High School of Technology South
The focus of this veteran Learn and Serve program is stemming dropouts by preparing students for success in college and generating a strong sense of civic responsibility. The service projects chosen to meet these goals are focused on disaster preparation.
Location: Decatur

Turner Elementary School
A Title I school with one year of Learn and Serve experience, this project will use a school bank and bank “jobs” for students as well as energy efficiency activities as service projects.
Location: Albany

DeKalb Alternative School
This alternative school will focus on bullying and violence prevention to raise attendance, increase student engagement and motivate students to graduate.
Location: Stone Mountain

Service-learning is a teaching methodology that connects meaningful community service with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. These programs help youth see beyond the classroom, and into the community, where they learn by addressing community needs and solving real-life problems in the areas of education, public safety, human services, the environment, and disaster preparedness/Homeland Security. Students benefit as they learn to understand more about the world around them, comprehend academic content and apply their knowledge in contributing to the well being of their community.

Learn and Serve - Georgia also promotes partnerships between community agencies, institutions of higher education, and public/private schools. The programs are built around local community needs and interests and involve diverse partners, including nonprofit organizations and social service agencies.

Community involvement in such programs not only increases visibility of community service and committed institutions but also provides an opportunity to address concerns that previously were beyond one organization's scope of action.