Through a Peace College Child Development course, Peace students are reaching out and learning about their community.

 

The course, Research Spotlight: Boys & Girls Clubs and Beyond, teams up with local Boys & Girls Clubs to allow students to explore the concepts of national youth development organizations. Through the course students are able to learn about international non-government youth development agencies and discuss differences and similarities among organizations worldwide.

 

Students researched various countries including Dubai, Russia, the Netherlands, India, Italy, Germany, Peru, Australia, Canada, Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Peru and Germany added to the international aspect of the course as the instructor's countries of origin.

 

Senior Christina Vick's international project focused on China. With her group project she learned from club members why they attend and what programs they participate in.

 

"This class gave me the hands on knowledge of how important the children and our community are. The Boys & Girls Club is a great place where the kids can find their inner strengths and values. I thank the volunteers and workers of the club because without them the club will not be possible. Taking this course made me realize that children need these clubs to brighten their future even their career," Christian Vick '09.

 

The relationship between Peace College and the Boys & Girls Clubs does not end with the course. Ana Gray also serves as the Chairman of the Latino Outreach Initiative (LOI) at the Boys & Girls Clubs. In a recent LOI meeting, Peace College Board Member Trent Ragland stated, "I am very pleased to hear that this course is offered and part of the curriculum at Peace College. It is important that young people learn about their community and that we are able to collaborate and deepen our existing relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs."

 

For more information on the course, Research Spotlight: Boys & Girls Clubs and Beyond, please contact Ana Gray. You can also visit the Child Development web site to learn more. For information on the Boys & Girls Club please contact Valeska Wittek, Director of Development & Marketing, vwittek@wakebgc.org or (919) 834-6282.