Swearer Center for Public Service
 

Swearer Center for Public Service

Through programming, advising and fellowships, the Swearer Center engages the university in collaborations with local partners to strengthen communities and better prepare students to lead lives of effective action.
 
 

Education-Adult and Intergenerational Learning

Genesis ESOL

Teaching Brown students to teach adult ESOL learners (with the Genesis Center and other adult learning programs)

The Genesis ESOL program provides Brown students an opportunity to observe and reflect upon adult ESOL classes taught at the Genesis Center, and to enter into a process of learning about adult education teaching approaches, methodologies and philosophies.

Students observe classes weekly at the Genesis Center and other adult learning programs in Providence (once or twice), meet weekly with others in the group and with co-coordinators, and submit written reflections of their time at Genesis to coordinators. Over time, they take on responsibilities for classroom activity, working with adult ESOL and literacy learners and practitioners.

 

Contact:
Amber Lee
Janet Isserlis

MET Family Literacy Program

Adult English language, computer and Spanish language classes, literacy learning for children and activities for adults and children together (with the MET High School Community Outreach)

MET Family Literacy Program, a partnership with the Met School, offers classes two evenings per week to parents and children. Classes include ESOL, computer literacy, and Spanish language. Volunteers work with learners to encourage language and community development, and to assist learners in meeting their self-defined goals.

Contact:
Patricia Chou
Joshua Prenner
Janet Isserlis

Olneyville ESOL

Offering adult English classes in the Olneyville community (D’Abate Community School)

The Olneyville ESOL Program offers ESOL classes four evenings per week. The classes are held at the William D’Abate Elementary School / Olneyville Community School. Volunteers work with learners to encourage language and community development, and assist learners in meeting their self-defined goals.

Contact:
Robert Hunter
Janet Isserlis

PAL - Partnership for Adult Learning

One-on-one tutoring for adults with developmental disabilities living in the greater Providence community.

 

Partnership for Adult Learning (PAL) pairs student tutors from Brown University with adults with developmental disabilities living in the greater Providence community. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for mutual growth through personal relationships that are formed around the shared pursuit of continuing education. PAL has a learner-centered focus, in that we encourage learners to choose the topic(s) on which they will collaborate with their tutors (job-related skills, academic subjects, hobbies, etc.).

 

Contact:
John Bui
Sujaya Desai

Space In Prison for the Arts and Creative Expression (SPACE)

Creative workshops that provide a supportive environment inside the prison where inmates can explore their talents and personal voice (ACI)

In an environment with limited opportunities for individual expression and artistic exploration, SPACE provides inmates with a rare forum for critical engagement and creative thought.  Working in teams of two or three, Brown students design and lead weekly workshops that emphasize participation, performance, play, collaboration, reflection, skill-building and creative expression within a safe and constructive space.  For inmates who wish to showcase their work, SPACE publishes an annual collection of inmate art and writing and hosts a Gala exhibition open to the community.  In addition to granting inmates a sense of ownership and pride, these productions give voice to traditionally silenced members of society.

Contact:
Jessica Bendit
Tomas Landes
Janet Isserlis

Writers' Group

Creative writing workshops to increase the expression and communication while decreasing isolation of developmentally disabled adults (with Blackstone Valley Industries)

Writers' Group offers developmentally disabled adults at Blackstone Valley Industries a forum to express themselves through creative writing. Writers' Group encourages both developmentally disabled adults and Brown student volunteers to develop their personal creativity and communicative skills through weekly  writing workshops. The program strives to foster understanding between volunteers and writers and to increase awareness of the challenges facing the developmentally disabled community.

Contact:
Riana Dutt
Adam Davis
Alan Flam