Learning Communities Initiative Participants Review Progress, Look to Future

The second-annual Learning Communities Initiative conference was held May 31–June 2 at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. More than 30 representatives from the pilot Learning Communities gathered with representatives from USA Funds^® and Scholarship America.

USA Funds and Scholarship America helped spearhead the development of the Learning Communities Initiative, which includes a coalition of organizations focusing services on six communities in a bid to improve access to postsecondary education for low-income students.

The conference was an opportunity for Learning Communities participants to interact with representatives of other communities, discuss best practices, and attend sessions about how to make their Learning Communities successful. The sessions covered the following topics:

• Sustaining community engagement.
• Granting writing.
• Strategies for effective program implementation.
• Preparing students and families for postsecondary education.

At the conference Learning Communities Initiative participants planned for the upcoming year.
USA Funds recently awarded grants totaling $900,000 to the six communities. The funding will support key early awareness, preparation and motivational programs from USA Funds and from Scholarship America. Among the programs the grant will support are USA Funds Unlock the Future^®, and Scholarship America’s Scholarshop Sr., ScholarShop Jr. and ParentShop. The grants also will support program coordinators in each community to oversee programming and serve as a liaison between the community and Learning Communities partners.

“The conference was an excellent opportunity for our communities to come together to discuss best practices and develop strategies for the future,” said Kyle Malone, USA Funds access and outreach manager. “Our six pilot communities are working hard to make a difference in the learning environment for the students in their communities.”

On June 1 conference attendees visited the Christamore House in Indianapolis. The Christamore House’s programs focus on the personal and family development of residents of nearby neighborhoods. The organization is a partner in the George Washington Learning Community in Indianapolis, one of those targeted by the Learning Communities Initiative. 

Also included in the Learning Communities Initiative are communities in Tucson, Ariz.; Orlando, Fla.; Okolona, Miss.; Washington, D.C.; and Wind River Reservation, Wyo.

Members of the George Washington Learning Community discussed with conference participants the successful efforts in the George Washington area. Community members, teachers and students gathered to share what the Learning Community means to them and how they are making their community a success.

“I knew that if we didn’t take action, we couldn’t complain,” said Nicolas Abney, a student at George Washington Community School. “We needed to change the social structure for students to succeed, and I saw this was an opportunity to help make a change.”