COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING INITIATIVE

The Community Service Learning (CSL) initiative is a program hosted by Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach, in partnership with Isaac’s Quarterly, LLC, and The Reentry Theater of Harlem. This initiative aims to inspire and equip youth and adults, ages , from diverse programs including the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), Industry Scholars Program (ISP), Youth Action YouthBuild, Housing Works and the Navigator Service Learning Project at John Jay school of Criminal Justice. Through a blend of community service and digital media education, participants engage in valuable experiences that foster community connections and instill crucial skills for personal and professional development.

EMPOWERING THROUGH SKILLS

The CSL initiative goes beyond traditional service programs, incorporating a unique focus on digital design and documentary filmmaking. Participants receive hands-on training in these creative domains, enabling them to capture and convey compelling stories that resonate with the heart of East Harlem. This integration of technical skills empowers our youth to make a meaningful impact while honing their abilities in an increasingly digital world.

Empowering Residents and Strengthening Communities

FACILITATING DIALOGUE AND CHANGE

At the heart of the CSL initiative lies a mission to catalyze open discussions and collaborative solutions. By working closely with the youth and young adults, our goal is to address critical issues such as poverty and violence within the vibrant tapestry of New York City. Through their voices and insights, we seek to gain a deeper understanding of public safety concerns and identify the essential resources, tools, and skills that will guide them towards a path of success and resilience.

ENRICHING ACTIVITIES

The CSL initiative offers a diverse range of activities that provide participants with a holistic learning experience:

Food Pantry Assignments
Clothes Pantry Assignments
Communications and Public Outreach
Community Art Projects (including community murals and art boards)
Digital Design and Media Production

B L O C K -B Y- B L O C K: Young Voices on a Changing East Harlem

A Community Conversation

by The Confined Arts at Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach

When a neighborhood changes, it usually means that working-class families get pushed out by wealthier folks moving in. This process is often described as “gentrification”. In the United States, given histories of segregation and disinvestment in communities of color, this gentrification usually happens along racial lines. Simply put, white people with money move in, and Black and Brown residents who have lived in a place for generations get forced out. When this happens, the whole feel of a neighborhood - its culture, its personality, and its soul - starts to change.

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"The Reason Why" - A Performance by the Community Service Learning Initiative 2024 Summer Cohort

Welcome to "The Reason Why," a powerful and evocative performance brought to you by the Community Service Learning Initiative 2024 Summer Cohort. This performance delves into the theme of why young people wear masks in life—masks that protect, help them survive, and enable them to succeed. Through dance, storytelling, and affirmation, this piece explores the causes behind these masks and the courage it takes to remove them.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our community partners—Isaac’s Quarterly, LLC, and The Reentry Theater of Harlem—for their invaluable support in bringing this initiative to life.