Community

Most successful postsecondary programs are actively engaged in their community. Community engagement is a win-win relationship as the community gains valuable contributors to the community and the program participants participate in service learning, gain experience, and build relationships. The purpose of engaging in the community is to help students be productive citizens in their community. Being involved and establishing relationships within the community partnerships can be beneficial to programs as well, specifically in areas such as employment and internship placements, fundraising, and spreading awareness.

Some ideas for building community involvement include:

• Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club involvement
• Patronizing desired business partner’s establishments
• Building relationships with other community service providers
• Providing  free disability training to businesses
• Utilizing social media for cost efficient marketing

AmeriCorps at On Campus Transition at UNF
http://www.fltpsid.info/files/AmeriCorps_at_OCT_HW2012.pdf
  Charlotte Temple, Advocacy Director, Arc Jacksonville
AmeriCorps comes to The Arc Jacksonville On Campus Transition program at the University of North Florida. Learn first-hand the value of national service in the area of transition. 
Proceedings of The 3rd Annual Hartwick Symposium on Postsecondary Education & Intellectual Disabilities, October 31 - November 2, 2012, Jacksonville, FL

Resources

Principles of Community Engagement from the Committee for Community Engagement
http://www.cdc.gov/phppo/pce/part2.htm
This site covers a broad area of engagement, but provides a helpful list of principles that serve as things to consider before starting a community engagement effort.

Abravanel, Susan A. Building Community Through Service-Learning: The Role of the Community Partner: ECS Issue Paper. Denver: Education Commission of the States, 2003.
This issue paper has been designed especially with the community partner in mind. This paper highlights effective strategies, using best practice examples to illustrate the potential impact on the service-learning partnership. The paper's focus is on school-based, as distinct from community-based, service-learning.