teaches Social Activism and Advisory Class at Boston Community Leadership Academy (BCLA).
Art Teacher Joan Syms & Samantha Dawson (right)
Collaboration with BCLA
Advisory Teacher, Andrea Haney &
Art Teacher, Joan Syms;
Beth Israel Hospital; Cadbury Commons; Casey Klofstad, Doctoral Candidate, Harvard University; International American Red Cross; MA Coalition for the Homeless; NE Shelter for Homeless Veterans; Lee Academy; Little Brothers for the Elderly; Pine Street Inn; Project Bread; Volunteers of America; Women’s Circle Griffin House
| Classroom Activities | |
• |
Research local non-profit organizations |
| • | Select individual social issues or topics of interest |
| • | Write papers on how non-profit organizations impact on social issues |
| • | Invite Guest Speaker to classroom |
| • | Reflect on how young people can get involved with community issues by staging a Servathon |
| • | Divide into groups |
| • | Select non-profit organizations to visit & arrange interviews (see Partners above) |
| • | Investigate impact of international non-profit organizations on global tragedies |
| • | Organize key chain sale in school & community |
| Community Activities | |
• |
Hold round table discussion with Guest Speaker on political socialization of young adults |
| • | Visit selected non-profit organizations |
| • | Interview organizations’ representatives |
| • | Schedule time to serve at selected organizations during school’s two Servathon days |
| • | Sell BCLA Tsunami Relief key chains to family, friends & community members |
| • | Donate profits from sale to International Red Cross |
| • | Share information on non-profit organizations & Servathon reflections with school, families & partners |
I have never been so moved by the way our students grew as leaders while serving others. They were less involved with themselves and each other and more concerned about those they were helping. Their pride and obstinacy melted away as they cleaned bathrooms and folded used blankets. They became thoughtful, responsible citizens giving back to the community. These students are also more able to identify fixable problems, find ways to alleviate them, and actively participate in the solution. They are now not only more aware of how to link the issues they research with a way to help, but also more inclined to take action.
I know that when we first talked about doing a Servathon, I didn’t like it. I thought that it didn’t have any relevance to graduation or life. But then it all changed. Going into the projects and helping the children at their school really enlightened me in a way I never thought community service could do. It changed my whole outlook on helping people. I didn’t know that contributing to the community would make me a better person, and that the hours I spent helping would change other lives and mine forever. I never thought that doing this would make a difference, but it did. Now, I know how to identify the problem and be a part of the solution.
