The Center for Community Development and Social Justice (CCDSJ) is a Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) originally funded by the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of University Partnerships and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Now institutionalized by the College, the CCDSJ has maintained its approach to community work, using the principles of Asset Based Community Development and community-based research, which emphasize existing capabilities, effective capacity-building, and social justice. We work to build the capacity of non-profit organizations and endeavors, and to strengthen neighborhoods within the City of Lynchburg. We have maintained many of the long-term community partnerships in the three inner city neighborhoods that our COPC work originally focused on, while also forming new partnerships as the community’s emphasis on various issues shifts.
Along with its commitment to the needs of the community, the CCDSJ is simultaneously strongly focused on student learning and development through its facilitation of the Bonner program, community-based research (CBR), service-learning opportunities, social entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. We are dedicated to creating and maintaining effective partnerships among students, faculty, and staff and the community at large. The CCDSJ is strongly student-centered while also remaining committed to specific projects and initiatives that are driven by community needs and requests. Our experience indicates that this seemingly dual focus serves all participants well. Learning and personal and professional development are fostered while gaining direct experience in helping solve real community problems and improving the quality of life for others.
Students at Lynchburg College can learn more about the CCDSJ and how to become engaged in the community through an introductory course for freshmen:
GS 135- Introduction to the Center for Community Development and Social Justice is designed to introduce students to the College's engagement in the Lynchburg community through the work of the Center for Community Development and Social Justice. As part of Lynchburg College's Learning Communities, students discover the collaborative process of learning together the basics of applied social research, community development, and social justice. This course is part of the Freshman Learning Community class entitled "What's Your Calling? Exploring Your Talents (and possible majors) Through Service" and is linked to ENGL 111 (freshman English) and GS 105 (career development).
In GS 135, students are required to complete 12-18 hours of service within agencies and organizations in the City of Lynchburg following the principles of the Asset Based Community Development Model (ABCD) by John Kretzman and John McKnight. In written work and class discussions, students reflect on both the purpose of that work and its limits as a response to specific needs within the community and more general problems of social justice. Students also explore issues of social responsibility and citizenship in the professions and business world in relation to the social problems that they become acquainted with through their community work.
For further information on the Community Outreach Partnership Center, CCDSJ, and GS 135, please contact:
| Patricia D. Price Associate Director Lynchburg College Lynchburg VA 24501 434/544.8576 Price.p@lynchburg.edu |
or | Lisa M. Whitaker Associate Director Lynchburg College Lynchburg VA 24501 434/544.8156 whitaker@lynchburg.edu |