The Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA program strategically connects college resources with communities in need. Corps members gain valuable experience and educational awards. Campuses expand

their civic outreach. And community partners receive critical support.  

 

Engaging campuses in service to the community. Ohio Campus Compact VISTA Impact Report 2010-2011:

Lorain County Community College  

 

COMMUNITY IMPACT The greatest thing our Lorain County community could do is educate future generations to become civically engaged members of the community. By teaching students about diversity, the economy, and current social concerns and engage them in the solution, we therefore begin to raise awareness, turn thoughts into action, and breed a healthier community. This is what LCCC has been doing with this past year, 648 people engaged in various forms of service to the Lorain County community. The majority of this population was students and through the efforts of these 648 people, ~114,846 community members were impacted, 10,316 hours were served, and the monetary impact upon the community totals around $191,254.00!

Poverty Alleviation Focus Area: Nonprofit capacity Building, community partnerships VISTA Corps member: Julia Provoznik (440) 366-4104 • jprovozn@lorainccc.edu Site Supervisor: Marcia Jones (440) 366-4729 • mjones@lorainccc.edu Ohio Campus Compact VISTA Sr. Program Director: Lesha Farias (740) 587-8571 • lfarias@ohiocampuscompact.org

www.ohiocampuscompact.org  

HISTORY & BACKGROUND The Lorain County (LC) community is no stranger to the phrase “doing more with less”. With the LC unemployment rate of 7.5% (May 2011 - ODJFS), LC food insecurity rate of 16.2% (2009 Feeding America), the LC persons below poverty rate of 14.4% (2009 Census Bureau), and the $8 billion dollar State of Ohio deficit, times are challenging and local nonprofit organizations are citing an increase in needed services with a decrease in funding. The Lorain County Community College has had the assistance of Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTAs for the past two years in community engagement efforts that not only address our local community needs, but also help to civically engage students, improving their academic success while providing them with real world experiences. Service Learning is a newer initiative on campus with its beginnings in 2006 that involves applying student learning course objectives with meeting community needs. In the past few years, research and studies have proven that service learning is a win-win situation for achieving desired results for both the campus and community.

SUCCESSFUL  -­‐  COMPLETION.  This  is  where  we  want  to  see  our  students.  With  a  certificate  in  their  hand  and  a  smile  on  their  face.  Whether  it  be  completion  from  the  M3C  Fellows  AmeriCorps  program  for  Frank  (above)  completing  300  hours  of  service  in  1  year  or  the  achievement  of  an  Associates,  Bachelors,  or  Masters  and  beyond.  For  most,  colleges  are  the  pathway  to  a  bright  future.  Why  not  better  your  community  while  reaching  your  goals?    

“Community is one of LCCC’s four cornerstones and I am proud

to see our students, staff and faculty recognized for their

dedication to community service and the positive impact it has

on Lorain County,” - LCCC President Dr. Roy A. Church

 

 

The VISTA Impact by the numbers (10-11):

Civically  Engaged  Volunteers:   274  Service  Learning  Students:   352  

AmeriCorps  Members  (M3C/SIS):     26  

10  Student  Scholarships:   $10,792  Grants:   $1,200  

Community  Organizations  Outreach:   48  Site  Visits:   31  

Service  Learning  Courses   20  Service  Learning  Faculty:   12  

Total  Service  Hours:   10,316  Total  Community    

Members  Impacted:   114,846  Total  Value  of    

Community  Engagement*:   $191,254  * 1 hour = $18.54 (Ohio Value of Volunteer – Independent Sector)

About Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA

Ohio Campus Compact is a statewide nonprofit coalition of colleges and university presidents and their campuses working to promote the civic purposes of higher education. Ohio Campus Compact provides resources, services & partnerships to help Ohio campuses deepen their ability to educate students for civic and social responsibility and to improve community life. AmeriCorps*VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. The Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps* VISTA Program places and supports VISTAs who create and expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. VISTAs serve in the poorest areas of their communities to tackle poverty-related problems such as hunger and homelessness, financial literacy, veteran student services, public health and college access. More information at: www.ohiocampuscompact.org

With LCCC’s community engagement, not only are short-term community organizations needs met in the form of meals served, canned foods collected, or free community health fairs provided, but those who are a part of the community are learning to engage in long-term solutions for a healthier and more aware community. Imagine a healthy community where each citizen is a part of the solution to its social issues! We can see the immediate impact now and we see the long-term impact in the form of student reflections citing…

CAMPUS IMPACT Giving, in the form of community service, is not a one way street. Those who are involved in community engagement activities, especially Service Learning, also harvest the benefits. There are pages upon pages of research data emerging to explain why volunteering and Service Learning are beneficial to those who participate. If we focus strictly upon Service Learning’s student benefits, at the top are:

• Higher grades • Higher persistence rates • Higher levels of academic engagement • Greater interaction with faculty • Greater tolerance and reduced stereotyping • A predictor of increased student learning outcomes

** Data gathered from AACC, AACU, & LEAP studies This year, 352 LCCC students participated in experiences that not only helped them to understand their course material and apply it to a real world project affecting the community, but also went through life changing experiences that helped to mold their future paths. Students have changed their majors or chosen to further their education due to an experience such as tutoring with the Early College High School. The benefits do not stop with only the students. The instructors and the college as a whole benefit from the experience. Student Success and Retention is a major topic in the Higher Education world and LEAP (Liberal Education & America’s Promise) along with the AACU (American Association of Colleges and Universities) have identified Service Learning as one of the “Five High-Impact Educational Practices on Learning Outcomes, Completion, and Quality.” On a college campus, student success = college success… and service learning is the answer.

KEEPING THE PARTNERSHIP STRONG: OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE To ensure the past 5 years of success continue and grow, it is imperative that the Lorain County Community College recognizes Service Learning’s potential for increasing student success rates and merges it with current initiatives and planning. The college also must show its support for faculty engagement in the program verbally and with possible incentives. Lastly, developing and maintaining community partnerships require personal connections between organizations. The college must not lose the past connections made and continue to provide support for program staff.

“As a result of this assignment to get involved in an event in the community and the overall happiness which it has brought me personally, I have decided to get involved in other events…hopefully by doing so, (I’ll be) making the community I live in just a little better place than it was before.” - Michael, Service Learning Student (BIOG 151 HIV/AIDS)

 

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn."

-Benjamin Franklin