Stride Rite Community Scholars Program
The Stride Rite Community Scholars Program is a cooperative venture between Northeastern University, the Stride Rite Foundation and five community agencies designed to offer intensive full-time service-learning position to college students on a competitive basis. Becoming a Stride Rite Community Scholar is an opportunity for students to apply their skills and interests to the needs of the agency and their clients. This program enables students who cannot afford to donate their services and cover college costs an opportunity to participate in community service. Scholars are selected and supported by the NU Center of Community Service.
Program Duration
Scholars will perform 35 hours of service a week for the duration of
their six month coops. The specific hours of each position can be negotiated
by the organization and Community Scholar dependant on the needs of
the organization and service role of the student.
Stipend
Community Scholars are paid weekly from a stipend of $7,200.00 for the
six months of service. Student participants may continue their service
after the completion of their commitment to the program as a volunteer
or through the use of their work-study allocations, if the organization
and student wish to continue their partnership.
Orientations & Reflection Sessions
Community Scholars receive an orientation from both the program director
and host organization within the first week of service including position
and program requirements, expectations, and an introduction the community.
All five Community Scholars also come together with their peers and
the program director every other week for two hour reflection and in
service training sessions to examine and address any challenges, accomplishments
and questions that arise throughout their service experiences.
Timesheets & Service Accomplishment Reports
Community Scholars are required to submit weekly timesheets
and monthly Service Accomplishment Reports which allow the program director
to track student hours and activities, as well as receive a more in
depth reflection of each students challenges and accomplishment.
Portfolios Development & Resume Support
Community Scholars are required to create individual portfolios of the
work that highlights the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout
the program to present and discuss with their fellow Community Scholars.
Community Scholars are also directed in updating their resumes in order
to prepare them for the next stage in their professional development.
Qualifications and Eligibility:
Applicants are required to,
• Have experience with, or interest in, coordinating service programs
and initiatives
• Have experience working with young people from diverse backgrounds
• Be enthusiastic, motivated, creative, and able to take initiative
• Have excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal
skills
• Be a NU undergrad in good academic standing, co-op eligible,
and able to commit to 35 hrs/wk for six months
Application Process
• Applications are available at the top of this page.
• Application must be returned with Resume to the Program Director
at Center of Community Service, 304 CP (716 Columbus Ave, suite 304)
• Interviews are scheduled with the program director, who will
hire students into the program before interviews are scheduled with
the host site supervisor to determine the final site placement.
Current Five Site Options
Include
1. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs) NU 435 Columbus Place
Program Description: The GEAR UP programs is a partnership between Northeastern University, Boston Housing Authority and CCHERS. The Project is designed to provide a comprehensive education, health, cultural, and social programs for 150 youth and their families who reside in four Boston Housing Developments; Alice Taylor, Whittier, Bromley/Heath Park and Cadem/Lenox Park. This program aims to raise post secondary expectations among middle and high school students, promote equal access to education, enhance classroom teaching, tutoring and support services and assist students and their families with the college application process. There are several components to this program, including tutoring, adult education, mentoring, a summer youth program, professional development workshops, and a health and wellness campaign.
Position description during Fall/Spring: Tuesday-Saturday,
the Scholar will:
• Manage and participate in the activities for the Saturday tutorials
and field trips
• Oversee the daily management of office operations (payroll,
budgets, filing, phone, reports, etc.)
• Assist with the coordination of outreach activities at BHA developments
and the Boston Schools
• Additional responsibilities include planning specific events,
field trips, projects, etc.
Position description during Summer: Monday-Thursday, the Scholar will
• Update the database of GEAR UP students and their families
• Assist in coordinating the summer work program for eligible
teens
• Fulfill office duties in the mornings and tutor youth in the
afternoons Monday-Wednesday
• Assist with the development of the curriculum for the fall GEAR
UP program that will ensure student success on the MCAS and increase
their over all preparation for college applications
• Additional responsibilities include planning specific events,
field trips, projects, etc.
2. HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE - 375 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain
The Task Force strives to “build the skills of youth and adult residents so that they are empowered to enhance their own lives and develop a stronger, more peaceful and vibrant urban community.” Scholars will work along side the HSTF staff to create an enriching learning environment for the youth in our community through literacy, math, and art projects. Learn about HSTF mission and work towards helping us achieve our goal to empower the young people of the community and their families. (Spanish speaking applicants encouraged to apply)
Project Overview - The Stride Rite Scholar will serve in the position of a Literacy, Arts and or Music Specialist, primarily in the Kennedy After-School and Summer Literacy Camp, and at times, in other Hyde Square Task Force youth programs. The Kennedy After-School program serves predominantly Latino students from 2:30 –5:30 Mondays – Fridays during the school year. The major objectives of the after-school program are; to increase the overall academic achievement of the students; to expose the students to arts and cultural activities; and to engage the students in a variety of literacy activities including games, poetry, and publishing.
Specific Duties may include:
• Research, prepare and facilitate curriculum and activities for
the After-School and Summer camp
• Coordinate literacy activities with READ Boston literacy consultants
• Assist in the implementation of the Accelerated Reading software
program for elementary students.
• Assist in publishing newsletters and journals of elementary
after-school students
• Assist in coaching volunteers and teens in leading activities
• Assist in coaching students on specific projects such as poetry,
publishing, theatre, etc.
• Assist in coaching teen community organizers on specific projects
• Assist the organization is related project and initiatives that
support the overall community.
3. MISSION WORKS - 39 Smith Street, Roxbury
Mission Works is a small non-profit social service agency located within the Mission Main housing development. Incorporated in 1999, our core purpose is to assist families who reside in the Mission Main development, to gain greater self-sufficiency for themselves and their families, through education, preparation for employment, job training, computer training, employment and access to career ladder.
Position Description: Community
Scholars work to provide a safe space for youth to be able to build
skills that will help them to develop positively in the drop in center.
Community Scholars work with staff to develop a calendar of recreational
activities for youth ages 13-17, and host or supervise events and activities
in collaboration with a cadre of volunteers, conduct focus groups with
teens to determine their interests, and plan additional events based
on teen interests. The scholar will conduct outreach, develop fliers,
coordinate targeted mailings, facilitate planning meetings with volunteers,
recruit additional volunteers (if deemed necessary), coordinate logistics
for events (such as room set up or follow up phone calls to participants),
and represent Mission Works at the Mission Hill youth collaborative
meetings. Community Scholars also support the organization in meeting
grant requirements, and planning community strengthening activities,
include health walks, races, etc.
4. PEACE GAMES AT THE TOBIN SCHOOL - Smith Street, Roxbury
Peace Games is a small nonprofit organization that partners with elementary schools to teach children conflict resolution and peacemaking skills. The organization began in 1992 at Harvard University as an annual festival where students gathered to play cooperative games and learn about peacemaking. In 1996, Peace Games became incorporated under the leadership of President and Co-founder of Peace Games, Eric Dawson. Peace Games was founded on a simple belief that violence is learned, and if violence can be learned, so can the skills of peacemaking.
Position Description for Fall & Spring: The Peace Games approach to promoting peacemaking encompasses five program areas: students & curriculum, staff, families, volunteers, and school climate. Community Scholars will teach or co-teach Peace Games classes and will support the site manager in focusing on improving the students and school climate, supervisor college volunteers, and coordinate the teaching schedule as well as initiatives that strengthen Peace Games partnership with the Tobin and the community. This position may also include work on research and evaluation, training, or curriculum modification and development.
Position Description for Summer:
Community Scholars will work in the downtown main office and the Tobin
to assist in preparing for the partnerships, curriculum, and volunteer
recruitment for the next academic school year, as well as conduct or
revise tools for research and evaluation, trainings, or curriculum modification
and development.
5. UNITED SOUTH END SETTLEMENTS: ARTS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (AIP) – 566 Columbus Ave.
The mission of United South End Settlements (USES) is to act as a catalyst, bringing together the resources of participants, the community and the agency to: promote the stabilization and well-being of individuals and groups at risk within the community, nurture personal growth and development, build a sense of community and foster an environment where all can thrive.
The Arts Incentives Program (AIP) is a clinically informed,
arts-based, youth development program that works with high-risk girls
ages 11-18. Our mission is to help those young people living at the
cusp of trauma and disregard be successful in all areas of their lives
through skill-building in the arts, arts-based mentorships, art making,
performance, and exhibition of their work. Through AIP, girls participate
in identity forming, arts-based activities and mentorships to improve
their psychological functioning, school performance, and future orientation.
Each girl’s participation in AIP is tailored to her own circumstances,
areas of interest, strengths and clinical needs. Students working with
AIP can take on either coop roles as a direct Mentorship & Case
Manager or Research and Evaluations coop.
Contact Information
Kristen Simonelli
Associate Director & Service-Learning Coordinator
Phone: 617-373-7883 / Fax: 617-373-5608
k.simonelli@neu.edu