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R Community
1. What is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates
community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic
responsibility and strengthen communities. Service-learning is
education through experience with civic engagement. We R Community
is a prime example of how students develop invaluable life skills through
interacting with members of their community.
2. What is We R Community?
We R Community is a student grant-making and volunteerism program for
teens. Best used in the classroom setting, it can also be used
as a club or other youth group project. Students extend their
classroom learning by operating much like a mini-foundation. Groups
or classes of teens are given $5,000, which they must award to nonprofit
organizations and school programs of their choice. Volunteerism
is also a component of this program.
We R Community is a service-learning tool that
teachers can use to enhance their curriculum. It is a flexible but structured program which
takes place during a typical school year. Students learn about
issues in their communities and are empowered to make a difference by
being involved.
The concept was pioneered by the El Pomar Foundation
in Colorado. In
1997, The PGE Foundation in Portland, Oregon, began “Community 101” based
on the El Pomar program. Since its inception, more than 5,000 students
have been involved at an average of 25 schools per year. It is
now a model program with more than $1 million distributed to Oregon nonprofit
organizations. The Public Education Foundation is adopting the
program, naming it “We R Community,” with the belief that public education
should provide students with the opportunity to engage in service-learning.
3. What is the mission of We R Community?
The mission of We R Community is to provide teens with the opportunity
for real-life learning through philanthropy and volunteering. Teens
discover that they can make a positive difference in their community
by being involved.
4. How do I apply to have We R Community at my school?
The Public Education Foundation welcomes applications from innovative
teachers who want to add a community service-learning component in
their classroom. Please contact The Public Education Foundation
for more information on how to apply.
The We R Community application process generally
occurs in January/February and may involve a teacher interview. The Public Education Foundation
notifies applicants of the outcome by May-June. Teachers receive
the “We R Community Advisor/Student Handbook” and are invited to attend
a teacher/student workshop in September.
5. What is required to use We R Community?
- A completed teacher commitment form.
- Funding
for grant-making.
- Student volunteerism. Students are
asked to perform and document two to four
volunteer hours per month September through April. (Volunteering
does not have to be done in connection with We R Community.)
- The We R
Community Advisor/Student Handbook.
- A teacher or advisor who makes a two-year
commitment to teach this program.
- A minimum of 10 students with a regular
meeting time who are committed to completing the program in its entirety. (The
program runs seven to nine months, though exceptions can be made for
specific circumstances.) Program
time requirements average four classroom hours monthly, beginning in
September and ending in April-May.
- Attendance by teacher (and one or two
students) at We R Community training workshop.
- Optional: A We R
Community volunteer may provide technical assistance to the teacher
and students and oversee the program on behalf of The Public Education
Foundation.
- An
awards presentation by We R Community students.
- Student fundraising is
welcomed and must be done in the name of We R Community.
- Program recognition
by school and community.
- Completed monthly progress reports.
6. How long has We R Community been in operation? Where did the idea
come from?
The concept was pioneered by the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado. In
1997, The PGE Foundation in Portland, Oregon, began “Community 101” based
on the El Pomar program. Since its inception, more than 5,000 students
have been involved at an average of 25 schools per year. It is
now a model program with more than $1 million distributed to Oregon nonprofit
organizations. The Public Education Foundation adopted the program
during the 2008-09 school year, naming it “We R Community,” with the
belief that public education should provide students with the opportunity
to engage in service-learning.
7. Where does the funding come from?
The Public Education Foundation seeks corporations, foundations and individuals
to sponsor programs so that more young Nevadans can experience this
opportunity to learn about civic engagement and social responsibility. Sponsors
make a financial commitment of $7,500 annually for two years. This
funding provides a class or group of students with $5,000 for grant-making
each year. A $1,000 stipend is given to the classroom teacher
for the coordination and facilitation of the program each year. The
additional funds are used for capacity building and materials.
8. What is The Public Education Foundation?
The mission of The Public Education Foundation is to mobilize community
and global resources to support and impact public education through
initiatives, programs and promising practices designed to improve student
performance and advance quality educational opportunities for all children.
Our solutions to the challenges of educating
a growing and diverse Southern Nevada population are impacting public
schools and the school district at multiple levels from grassroots
classroom participation to systemic reform. Our initiatives and
programs empower teachers and students, reduce bureaucracy, ensure
accountability, leverage resources and deliver results.
9. What is a grant?
A grant is the award of funds to an organization or individual to undertake
charitable or tax-exempt activities.
10. What is a 501(c)(3)?
The 501(c)(3) status is a designation given by the IRS (Internal Revenue
Service) to an organization that exists for a charitable purpose, is
a nonprofit organization, and is tax exempt. The IRS has a number
of different designations for nonprofit organizations. A “nonprofit”
organization could be one of a number of kinds of nonprofits. Just
like a person might be a doctor, that person could be one of a number
of kinds of doctors. It is helpful for you to know that organizations
such as schools and governmental (city, county) entities are the government
equivalent of nonprofit organizations.
11. What are the most common grants awarded by We R Community students?
We R Community grants are required to be in accordance with the focus
areas of education, healthy families,
arts and culture and environmental
enhancement. Grants usually range between $500 to $2,000.
12. Does We R Community have to be implemented in a high school class
curriculum?
We R Community is extremely flexible and can be incorporated into almost
all curricula. Examples of some programs that have been successful
in the past are elementary, high school and college classes, language
and culture classes, alternative schools, after-school clubs, academic
competitions and juvenile justice centers. Teachers use the program
as a tool to enhance the class curriculum by providing a service-learning
opportunity.
13. Where do I begin researching nonprofits in my area?
There are resources available for students to investigate nonprofits. The
easiest place to start is the Internet. Check out links to nonprofit
search engines in the workbook. Other options are the library,
local government offices, information offices and the good old-fashioned
telephone book. Another great resource is talking with your friends
and family. You will be surprised how many agencies you hear about
just by starting a conversation!
14. How would my organization or nonprofit get involved?
For more information about how your organization or nonprofit can get
connected to a group of We R Community students, contact the We R Community
program manager at The Public Education Foundation.
15. What is the role of a We R Community volunteer?
Volunteers facilitate the implementation of the We R Community program
with a teacher or youth advisor. They provide technical assistance
to teachers and students and keep The Public Education Foundation and
funding sponsor updated with the program’s progress.
16. How do I apply to be a volunteer?
Applicants should contact the We R Community program manager, or submit
a letter of interest for the We R Community volunteer position at the
address below. Please include leadership experience and career
objectives along with a resume.
Please submit your letter of interest to:
We R Community
Leslie DeVore - Program Manager
The Public Education Foundation
3360 West Sahara Ave., Suite 160
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
702-799-1042 - main
702-283-1182 - mobile
Or email: ldevore@interact.ccsd.net
17. How does The Public Education Foundation evaluate participating
schools?
Participating schools are required to
complete and submit a We R Community progress report monthly. This
progress report provides a snapshot of the many activities that the teacher
and students have been involved in throughout the month and helps determine
whether or not a particular school program will receive continued funding.
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