March Summary

This past month we have had the opportunity to explore the community of Elkhart, Indiana to find out about the programs, projects and initiatives that were being offered. This allowed us to get a macro-level perspective but also to get an idea of the role that community educators play on a daily basis.

Our second project this month allowed us the opportunity to look at specific community problems and then figure out how specific groups (identifying the main stakeholders) have been able to collaborate and form partnerships to address these problems.

Scott Rafalski

What have I learned?

For me this was a good month. In our group Katrina and I work together but at two different locations but we sat down and had a nice conversation about this class and our group. I think it was good to really just talk and communicate face to face. I also had a chance to meet Jillian and speak to her face to face. Both of those interactions have honestly made me more accountable to the group because I feel like I have a better relationship with these people and don’t want to let them down. Our communication has greatly increased also and we work well before due dates and timelines now.

Another big part of this month for me was realizing the power of partnerships. We read, looked at case studies and learned so much about the true power of collaboration. The ability to make a true difference and invoke lasting change has a lot to do with the ability to create and foster relationships. Most great leaders of community education know they cannot do it alone and are only as great as the team that they are part of. The ability to communicate effectively is so critical. I thought job description of a community educator was interesting also because I felt like several of the requirements were outside of just being educated. They dealt with a lot of the things I previously mentioned in the paragraph.

Jillian Scholten

Our group is definitely coming together and learning how to work as a team. We had a rough start to the semester, but learned from that experience and have moved into a good place. I was able to meet Katrina and Scott (in the same day!) at Ivy Tech Community College. I can’t believe we have been working so close together and did not even know! As Scott mentioned, it is great to put a face with a name. That is my struggle with online courses – the interaction. I know we post discussions and work as a group, but to me, it just isn’t the same. I need the opportunity to get to know my peers and feel I meet those needs in the classroom setting.

I learned a lot about my hometown of Elkhart with our previous project. I remember in college going home to a depressed area with a 20+ % unemployment rate and wondering if my father’s business would last another week. It was nice to actually research the city and see what came from all of the bad times. I also enjoyed learning about community partnerships and the specific organizations we focused on in our last assignment.

John (Adam) Murray

Over the past month I feel our group has done a better job of communicating through email. Checking my email history, we haven't gone more than five days without communication between us, but we typically contact each other every three days. Delegation has been more succinct so that confusion is minimized. Unfortunately I am the only member of our team to not be able to meet my fellow group members in person due to being so far away.

Our community examination of Elkhart and community partnership projects have assisted in deepening my appreciation for the widespread necessities that come with community development. Speaking first to our research of Elkhart, it became clear that though there are numerous outlets, collaboration is typically a slow process. I have learned this first hand in my new position in Chicago trying to recruit schools and other non-profits to come onboard in regards to incorporating our life-skills curriculum. Often the response is that they are interested but need time to discuss logistics, or they require assistance to make it work in their budget.

The community partnership case study helped renew my faith in the positive outcomes that can come about from forming healthy partnerships. Reading my team member's case study helped to reinforce this optimism. It is good to gain a deeper understanding of other partnerships, and the structure surrounding them. This to me is the value of working as part of a group.

Katrina Owens

In the last month as Scott and Jillian has stated the three of us were able to connect in person.  This was very helpful for me to see and connect with those that I work with online however do not get to see on a weekly basis as we would in a face to face course.  Scott and I do however work together but mostly in different locations so therefore we do not see each other on a regular.  However Jillian and I meet by chance in which it was a pleasure meeting her.  

The assignment this past month that I enjoyed most and learned a lot from was the community programs paper.  I found Elkhart, Indiana to be very fascinating as I had never desired going there or looking to the area other than for this assignment.  After this assignment however I am intrigued and would even like to visit.  I was most impressed with the community school and continuing education programs that are offered to adults in order to develop skills and learn new hobbies.  The sheriff's department offers programs that educate the population on gun safety, marksmanship and respect for the law and officers.  Next there is the community college that I work for, Ivy Tech, offers a program called PULL (Potential Unlimited Learning Lab).  This program is constructed to help transition students into the college infrastructure. Lastly the Elkhart area career center along with the Tolson and Elkhart community and youth center provided many other services and programs to enhance the lives of those that live there.

Needless to say this month learning about Elkhart and all that is offered and available there was very enlightening and intriguing at the same time.  I would have never imagined that I would ever think to visit Elkhart, Indiana however that is why research is important to gain knowledge about things or places one never knew about prior.