St. Paul Education Project

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Organizing Activity

Submitted by crossingbarriers on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 15:39

In Saint Paul, we have connected non immigrant students and students of color that want to address emerging issues in schools and other services.
 
Student leaders of St. Paul Education Project have among other things worked to address the issue of bullying in their neighborhood high schools.They have also helped parents who have language barriers learn how to navigate the schools successfully, and conducted youth group sessions to address issues that concern them in the community through focus groups and leadership development sessions.
 
CrossingBarriers conducts these presentations and workshops to local schools, teacher training programs, community centers and student organizations.
 
■ The risks and rewards of advocacy through community partnership.
■ Issues in education relating to students of color who are are not succeeding in the public school.
■ A child’s Right to Education.
■ Working with ELL students.
■ Family resources available to immigrant and refugee families.
■ Improving police relations and immigrant youth.
■ Suggestions about working with English Language Learners.
■ Public engagement in immigrant communities.
■ Issues facing Somali youth how to stop youth violence.
■ Issues, the need for civic engagement and advocacy strategies of CrossingBarriers.


Activity Information

What students and communities are you focusing on for this organizing activity?
What educational elements and reforms are you focusing on for this organizing activity?
What core organizing issues will be addressed by the activity?
Identify and recruit new allies, members, and participants
Identify or strengthen the group’s common vision and values
Develop the group’s skills, knowledge, and capacities
Identify overall organizational needs and plan how to meet them.
How will the activity improve individual and group understanding of key organizing concepts?
Explore how community organizing can improve the lives of participants and non-participants.
Learn more about self and others, including issues of power, bias, and misunderstanding.
How will the activity strengthen relationships within the organization and in the community?
Strengthen interpersonal bonds, trust, inclusiveness, and a sense of community feeling
Strengthen group dynamics, teamwork, and cooperation for action
Identify and explore common problems and potential solutions
How will the activity strengthen specific individual and group capacities?
Build personal and group power through knowledge, relationships, influence, and action
Develop general leadership skills and the capacity of individuals to contribute to change
How will the activity address power issues?
Understand the existing power structure and politics that affect community issues
Understand the power base of participants-allies and identify how to strengthen this base
How will the activity contribute to other advocacy and organizing steps?
Learn about the history and substance of an issue
Plan action steps for successful advocacy/organizing
What core organizing issues will be addressed by the activity?
Identify and recruit new allies, members, and participants
Identify or strengthen the group’s common vision and values
Develop the group’s skills, knowledge, and capacities
Identify overall organizational needs and plan how to meet them.
What are the other outcomes of your organizing activity?
New members recruited
Stronger relationships within the group
Group is more organizationally prepared for future action
Members have developed skills and knowledge for future use
Group has a stronger base and/or greater influence

Activity Links and Media

Links to Relevant Websites

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