[COMM-ORG] query: agency-based educational experiences regarding urban inequality

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed:  while LeeAnn's question is placed in a social service context, 
there may be lessons from urban community organizing efforts that still 
apply, so please feel welcomed to copy those to the list.]

From: LeeAnn Lands <llands at kennesaw.edu>

Hi,

I am working with a social service organization associated with an 
Atlanta congregation.  Besides offering emergency assistance to the 
poor, the organization is a site for summer-long, full-time internships 
(usually college students), pastoral education, and short-term, one day 
to one week community projects for church/educational/social groups 
looking for service activities.  

While I am at the site working in a different capacity, the 
staff/volunteers and I have discussed the challenges of educating the 
interns, students, and episodic volunteers about urban inequality (and 
urban inequality specifically in Atlanta).  Certainly, the staff 
examines these issues with the interns, students, and others, but they 
are considering introducing a more sustained and structured program to 
accompany both the long (8 to 12 week) internships and educational 
placements and the short, episodic community projects.

I am familiar with the curriculum that is used in youth empowerment 
projects and (adult) study circles, photovoice, etc., but I'm coming up 
short in trying to identify models of popular education work focused on 
adult education and regarding urban inequality.  (I am familiar with the 
_history_ of popular, radical education -- highlander folk school and 
the like.  And I am well versed in service learning, etc., -- but this 
would not be a university-based program; it would be owned and delivered 
by the agency, even if educators were involved.)

Do any of the list members have such programs in place, programs that 
examine urban inequality historically or sociologically, based out of a 
non-profit, and that augment on-going training, intern experiences, or 
community volunteer work? or can you point me to any?  

I appreciate the help!

LeeAnn Lands
Atlanta, GA