STARTING A COMMUNITY CLASS PROJECT

Everyone enjoys learning something new.  Often times people living near each other have the same interest and would enjoy a community class.  Not only do community classes teach skills, but they also bring neighbors together, creating a strong, connected, and safe community.  A community class is a project that is done in a classroom setting. The goal is to promote self-esteem and a more positive lifestyle as well as enhance creativity and development among the participants.  Most importantly these classes can also spur an individual’s renewed interest in themselves and their community.

Here are some important steps:

1.        Before you can engage community residents in any group setting, you must first have a shared interest in the classroom project from everyone participating. HINT: You might want to survey the neighborhood for possible class topics as well as class teachers.  Stop the Violence found a resident of the community taught the most successful class.

2.        Set goals and projected outcomes – Let the community decide what they think the class should achieve.

3.        Discuss sustainability and fundraising ideas.  It is important for the participants to become “stakeholders” in the class.  This insures the class will not dissolve quickly.

4.        Set dates and times for class. Make sure the time is conducive for all that might want to participate.

5.        Most importantly, learn and have fun.