Emory & Henry College (Emory,
VA)
Communities
Allied to Uplift Success in Education
Summary
Emory & Henry College and its Appalachian Center for Community Service
developed the CAUSE (Communities Allied to Uplift Success in Education)
Initiative, a collaborative partnership supporting the educational success
of children and youth in neighboring rural communities.
The Practice
Despite many successes, the Appalachian Center for Community Service grappled
with the gap between its commitment to rural communities and the shortcomings
of existing service-learning opportunities. During the 1999-2000 academic
year, this gap between ideals and practice led the Center to host and
facilitate a series of community focus groups, consisting primarily of
citizens from the rural communities neighboring the College. There was
a mutual commitment to create new opportunities and support for youth
of the area. CAUSE Initiative activities have included after-school enrichment,
mentoring, and youth leadership development programs, based both on campus
and in the rural communities.
Through the CAUSE Initiative, the College has developed an annual Youth
Summit that engages college students in supporting and developing high
school and middle school youth leaders. Community and school leaders presented
the workshops while college students were trained to lead the small group
discussions and team-building activities. College students also assisted
in the overall organization and implementation of the summit. The summit
is now an annual event that includes five middle schools and five high
schools, and provides school-based student teams with mini-grants to fund
project ideas conceived at the summit. College students work with each
of the school-based teams and each year work to assist with planning and
implementing the summit. This year, for the first time, a summer celebration
and a fall leadership retreat for Summit participants has also been implemented.
Effectiveness
The one-time Youth Summit has become a year-round Youth Empowerment Leadership
Project that engages over 200 students per year in leadership training,
community service, and civic involvement. Some students have learned to
write grants and have been awarded grants to fund school and community
projects. Prevention-based activities and evaluations have also been incorporated
into the programs. Over 90 percent of student participants reported that
they learned skills and techniques for preventing suicide and avoiding
substance abuse. Over 95 percent of students reported a greater sense
of connection and engagement in their local communities. Additionally,
the capacity of the College and of local organizations has been strengthened
through this partnership, and has led to a number of shared grant projects,
some of which have been successfully funded.
Resources
The Emory & Henry College website
provides information on the Appalachian Center for Community Service and
its programs, including the CAUSE Initiative.
Contact Information
Scott Tate
Director of Campus Service Programs and the CAUSE Initiative
The Appalachian Center for Community Service
Emory & Henry College
P.O. Box 947
Emory, VA 24327
Phone: 276-944-6901
tates@ehc.edu
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Effective
Practices Exchange
