The Big Idea

http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/philanthropy/21873-tiny-foundation-big-idea-foster-civic-engagement-with-focus-on-community-college-students.html

              How can we promote civic engagement within a community? Well, In California a program known as, The Rappaport Family Foundation thrives on promoting civic engagement among community colleges. What’s more powerful than teaching involvement within an institution that already revolves itself around the community?

            Although community colleges aren’t as praised as a four- year college, it probably shares more importance because those students who attend are making a difference. Whether the students come from a low-income family, are single parents, have disabilities, and/or work, they are making a difference because they chose to be there despite personal struggles that may have held them back from going strait to a four year University. Rick Cohan the writer of the article points out that community college students, “are among the most dedicated, hardworking, and intelligent because they had to make a absolutely productive decision in their lives… and what they wanted to do.”

            So since the majority (nearly half) of the U.S. population attends a community college due to expense, personal struggles, or just plain convenience, the RFF takes advantage of the high population of students and sees a higher potential of engagement.  Because students may have experience, it is more likely to have a better understanding of real like situations that they may relate to. So, when doing community service or learning about civic engagement, the students may be more engaged and actually want to get involved.

            I chose this article because I feel that community college is a great place to address since they have more of a connection to the community. If we take the ideas of the RFF from California and bring them to San Antonio, our community colleges can benefit from the program. Not only will they gain knowledge for themselves, but would be civilly involved within the community, while teaching others. The RFF has already raised $800,000 from small grants to help guarantee active programs. One of the programs listed was called the SMAC (Students Making A Change). The SMAD wanted a change to a policy, and got a revised placement on the policy. Since the students got what they fought for, in the end we understand that change is possible.

            The article states that, “The best way to save a college is to fix it.”  So the needs of students are first that is why the RFF addressed those needs by creating a resource for immigrant student, free public transportation, and etc.

            This article proves that there is hope for change and that change starts in our schools that derive on community. This relates to me because if it weren’t for my father working at St. Mary’s University then I probably wouldn’t be here due to expense and would attend community college because it is a lot cheaper. Even without the opportunity to attend a four-year college, I would still be making a difference in my community by taking that step to higher my education at a community college, and getting involved with my community.