Community Partnerships
Akwesasne Semester: This partnership will pilot during the Fall 2006 semester. Ten students (six from SLU and four from SUNY Potsdam) will participate in a unique and engaging semester. This cohort represents a group of students who will build the path for future students and future academic semesters on the Akwesasne reservation. Students participating in this off-campus program will take 4.0/4.5 units of course work. In conjunction with their course work, students will be placed at various tribal agencies as part of their community based learning component. Students will spend a total of four hours per week doing some type of service work for their respective agency. In addition to the agency work they will be involved; students will also spend two hours daily mentoring the youth at the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club.
Canton Culture Club: Through a partnership with the Canton Central school district, student from the elementary and middle schools are given the opportunity to be exposed to a wide variety of cultures. Through exploratory exercises, students learn the dynamics of particular cultures ranging from food, dress, song and dance, language and other customary traditions. This is an after school program and transportation is provided. Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5255(Brenda) or 229-5095(Julie).
Community Arts Programs: The goal of this project is to increase performance arts and other works of art within the canton and surrounding communities. This project also explores the use of vacant retail/community space that could be used for SLU to collaborate with schools and community members to offer a variety of community based arts programs. The old Jubilee space off Miner Street is the main focus of usable space; currently conversations are taking place with the St. Lawrence County Economic Developer about other opportunities. The Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership has also reached out to many local schools and has worked SLU faculty to create program events that will showcase the work and talent of local people. In addition to our efforts, a community partner of ours, NYSARC-the New York State Association of Retarded Citizens, also has a community arts program within their overall program services. “The St. Lawrence NYSARC (www.slnysarc.org) Community Arts Program is made possible through a generous grant from the Alcoa Foundation. The program seeks to provide cultural opportunities to individuals with disabilities in the areas of theatre, music, dance and visual arts” (borrowed from their web site). Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5255(Brenda) or 229-5095(Julie).
Families in Distress: Supervised Visitation Program: through a partnership with the local DSS and local Court systems, St. Lawrence University offers the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership as resource for the facilitation of court ordered supervised visitations. Students and volunteers are trained by the DSS staff development office and by representatives of the court system. Student must commit to a whole semester and may continue if interested. The center operates on a business schedule of Monday through Friday, 4-6pm only. Students who wish to participate in this program will also have the opportunity to observe court proceedings and act as a representative of the CCEL in preparing families for their visitation at the center. Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5255(Brenda) or 229-5095(Julie).
Farming Opportunities: at the present time, our center has established opportunities for student volunteers to assist two local organic farming communities. Birdsfoot farm and Bittersweet farm offer students a variety of alternative farming methods. Those wishing to learn more about “intentional communities” should consider Birdsfoot Farm. Those wishing to work with livestock and participate in the processing of chickens should Bittersweet Farm. Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5255(Brenda) or 229-5095(Julie).
Free Will Dinner Program: on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesday of each month, the Canton United Methodist Church hosts a free dinner for Canton and surrounding communities. Everyone is invited to attend. Donations are accepted. Volunteers are often needed to help with preparing for the dinners on Tuesdays and helping to serve the dinners on Wednesdays. Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5255(Brenda) or 229-5095(Julie).
Senior Buddies Program: this program is fairly new and is a partnership between the center and the Canton United Helpers Canton Nursing Home. Much like the SLU buddies program. Students and volunteers are given the opportunity to pair up with an elderly from the local nursing home. In this buddy program, student and volunteers can plan activities for their buddy on and off site. In planning such activities, always get the final approval from the Activities Director before finalizing details. Students and Volunteers can pick their best available times, keeping in mind, in schedule of their buddy and the agency visiting hours. Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5255(Brenda) or 229-5095(Julie).
SLU Buddies: is a school-based mentoring program with Canton Central School and St. Lawrence Central School whereby SLU mentors are matched with Canton or St. Lawrence Central elementary and middle school-aged children based on interests, needs and desires. Mentors help with homework, play in structured activities, talk about everyday happenings, listen to concerns, and serve as role models, friends... buddies! Buddies meet one day a week for a minimum of 1 hour at the schools, for a required 2-semester commitment. The day/time of meeting will be pre-arranged and parents/teachers will be notified. A SLU van is available to take volunteers to the school site during their after school hours. Volunteers who want a more flexible schedule will need to arrange for their own transportation. Students and volunteers interested in participating in this programs, should contact the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership at 229-5652(Anne Townsend) or 229-5095(Julie Johnson).
Pending - Prisoner Education Project: This project will explore the possibility of offering post-secondary courses in one or more of the region's prisons. Why teach in prisons? In the '90s, New York State cut funding for post-secondary education in the state's prison system. The North Country is home to thousands of incarcerated people. No continuing education is offered to these people, beyond the G.E.D., in spite of the stunning statistical support for the positive impact of education on reducing recidivism.
Pending – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA) Program:
Other Opportunities:
The following web site provides a detailed list of student driven organizations on campus. Each organization gives a brief description of their mission and lists a contact person. For your benefit, we encourage you to scroll through the list and take advantage of the many opportunities to become a civically engaged student on campus.
http://www.stlawu.edu/activities/student.directory.htm
For opportunities within the local communities, we will divide agencies/organizations into categories:
Education and Youth Programs:
Elderly Programs:
Families in Distress and Crisis Support Programs:
Hunger and Poverty Programs:
Special Needs Programs:
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NYSARC-Community Arts Program and Buddy System
Other Opportunities Include:
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American Red Cross
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Birdsfoot Organic Farm
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Bittersweet Organic Farm
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Canton-Potsdam Hospital
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St. Lawrence County Historical Association
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Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY)
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Planned Parenthood of Northern New York
