In the fall of 2007, a partnership was formed between AHRC New York City and Pace University.  Initiated by Dr. James Lawler, Professor at Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, and AHRC Board Member, Dr. Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz, the partnership offered an opportunity for Pace University students to collaborate with people receiving services through AHRC NYC’s Day Services, (ADS,) while participating in Community Service-Learning Projects.

About Service-Learning

Service-learning is a method by which young people learn and develop through active participation, in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet the needs of their communities.  These service experiences are integrated into the students’ academic curriculum and include student-prepared written accounts of their real-life community-based projects.  This continuing partnership has included a technology project to improve ADS departmental operations, as well as Person-Centered Planning projects in which Pace students were partnered with individuals from Walter and Evelyn Redfield Day ServicesBetty Pendler Day Services, and Stephen B Seigel Day Services, to collaborate in a variety of activities, such as music and artistic expression, cooking, drama, sports, photography, horticulture, and travel training.  The success of this partnership has prompted an expansion of the collaboration between AHRC NYC and Pace University.

Dr. Lawler’s expanded initiative for community engagement, partners Pace University students with students attending AHRC Middle High School, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York.  While earlier initiatives have focused on the engagement of Pace students with young adults and senior citizens with disabilities in AHRC NYC’s Day Services programs, the current initiative focuses on person-centered planning and technology-based projects, as Pace students mentor to the students of the Middle High School.

“These are individuals who can go to community college, if not a college, and transition through a university where the community college has a partnership with the university,” says Dr. Lawler. “I feel that they could also be in disciplines of science and technology as well, as a long-term goal.

Under the partnership, the Middle High School students gain skills that will be helpful to them as they transition from high school into the adult world, such as resume-building, and general use of the computer and computer applications.

Since the students have begun working in this program, I’ve seen big improvements in their computer skills and in their social interactions,” says Martyn Jones, Technology Trainer at AHRC Middle High School.  “They even tell their friends about the program when we return to the school.  They’ve been very enthusiastic!

A Student’s Perspective

Describing her experiences, Hope Garfield, a Pace University student participating in the program as a Student Mentor, says, “In this program, I am working with high school students and helping them create a PowerPoint visual resume.  The slides include information regarding their biography, family, hobbies, and most importantly, their career interests.  It is highly important for them to promote their vocational skills so that they could have greater opportunities to seek and obtain jobs.  Their motivation to learn how to use various computer programs and their significant progress in the acquisition of computer skills contributed to my further understanding, appreciation of, and sensitivity toward individuals with disabilities.”  

From Collaboration to Presentation

The collaboration began in October 2010, and included 17 students from the Middle High School.  On May 4, 2011, AHRC Middle High School students participating in the partnership program presented their own person-centered plans to their fellow students and to the staff at the Middle High School, using mini-movies that they created in partnership with the students from Pace.  These 17 students continue to grow through the partnership, during two-hour sessions which are held at Pace University each Tuesday.  According to Jim Mara, Principal of AHRC Middle High School, 7 more students joined the partnership in the fall of 2011, each attending weekly sessions, held on Fridays.

In October, Chris Muccioli, Director of AHRC NYC’s Educational Services and Dr. Lawler presented an overview of the partnership at the 62nd Annual NYSARC Convention in Albany, New York.  Their presentation noted the productivity, feelings of self-confidence, and community involvement that both the Pace and AHRC Middle High School students have gained through this partnership.