The Haiti Compact Model: A Critical Lens for Alternative Breaks and Community Engagement

The Haiti Compact Model: A critical lens for Alternative Breaks and community engagement

IARSLCE, NEW ORLEANS SEPT-OCT. 2014

Presenters  Courtney Holder- University of Maryland  Melody Porter- College of William & Mary  Jessica Viramontes- Loyola Marymount University  Jasmina Camo-Biogradlija- Eastern Michigan Univ.  Shoshanna Sumka- American University  Gabrielle Vincent- Sonje Ayti

The Emergence of a Compact

January 12, 2010: Devastating earthquake in Haiti

Exploratory Trip: June 2010 Original Members: 1. Break Away 2. Loyola Marymount 3. University of Maryland 4. American University 5. College of William & Mary 6. Indiana University

Guiding Values      

Dignity Reciprocity Horizontal leadership Social justice Critical service-learning Sustainability

Reverend Djalòki Jean Luc Dessables

Numbers at a glance: 2010-2014 Number of Haiti Compact Trips Staff/Faculty Participating

16 17

Students Participating

104

Total Service Hours Hours of Community/Issue-Based Education

1,380 4,090

Hours of Post-Trip Advocacy Monetary and In-kind Contributions

294 $64,344

Social Justice Topics

Women’s Empowerment Sustainable Development Maternal and Child Health Small business development Education Public health Environmental sustainability Microfinance Community Empowerment Food Security

Community Partner Organizations Na Sonje Sonje Ayti Mennonite Central Committee Fonkoze Association of Peasants of Fondwa Mouvman Peyizan Papay Groundswell Intl. / Partenariat pour le DĂŠveloppement Local (PDL)

Documenting the Compact Produced collaboratively: • Exploratory Report • Two Year Report • Four Year Report • Website, newsletters, blogs

Resource to Institutions Working in Haiti Colleges and Universities who are also working in Haiti: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Bellarmine University California Lutheran University Concordia University Gannon University Hood College Lafayette College Purdue University Rhode Island College Sewanee: The University of the South

10.South Dakota State Univ.

11.SUNY Geneseo 12.The College of Lake County 13.University of Oregon 14.University of the South 15.Virginia Commonwealth Univ.

16.Warren Wilson College

Current Haiti Compact Members 1. Break Away 2. University of Maryland 3. College of William and Mary 4. American University 5. Loyola Marymount University 6. Middlebury College 7. Eastern Michigan University 8. University of Connecticut

The Compact Model • Built on relationships • Collaborative, not

cooperative • Goal-oriented • Process-focused • Sum is greater than the parts

1. Compelling and timely

idea for action 2. Identify and build the core 3. Galvanizing event 4. Continue developing goals and deepen original commitment 5. Plan an exit and turnover of leadership

The Compact Model Compact Element

 Compelling and timely idea

for action

In the Haiti Compact • •

Haiti Earthquake in 2010 Eagerness of students to “do something”

The Compact Model Compact Element

 Identify and build the core

In the Haiti Compact •

•

•

Break Away selected five staff at founding member schools Clear commitment to exploratory trip and four years of alternative breaks.

Developed structure for weekly conference calls.

The Compact Model Compact Element  Galvanizing event

In the Haiti Compact • •

Exploratory trip, summer 2010.

Developed fast intimacy, allowed space for questions and formation of best practices..

The Compact Model Compact Element

 Continue developing goals

and deepen original commitment

In the Haiti Compact • • • •

Continued support among Compact members Presentations at conferences Collective advocacy Publication of reports to share success and refine goals

The Compact Model Compact Element

 Plan an exit and turnover of

leadership

In the Haiti Compact •

•

Original Compact members have recommitted for another four years Three new schools have joined the Compact to continue the work in the future

The Compact Model  SEC Compact  Trunkpact

Community Impact Outcomes As a result of partnering with a Haiti Compact Alternative Break experience, community partners and members will be able to: ● Establish reciprocal partnerships ● Share personal experiences, stories and perspectives ● Gain increased capacity to achieve their own mission and goals

Community Voices Gabrielle Vincent, Sonje Ayiti

Community Voices

Student Learning Outcomes As a result of participating in a Haiti Compact Alternative Break experience, students will be able to: ● Examine US and Ayiti relations ● Advocate for positive policy, organizational and grassroots change ● Apply Haiti Compact experience ● Cultivate meaningful relationships ● Engage in best practices for ethical and responsible international service-learning

Student Voices

Best Practices ● ● ● ● ●

Assessing Community Partnerships Community Voice Sustainability & Longevity Orientation, Education & Training Immersion

Best Practices ● ● ● ● ●

Assessing Community Partnerships Community Voice Sustainability & Longevity Orientation, Education & Training Immersion

Best Practices Emerged ● ● ● ● ●

Assessing Community Partnerships Community Voice Sustainability & Longevity Orientation, Education & Training Immersion

Best Practices Emerged

Best Practices • • • • •

Assessing Community Partnerships Community Voice Sustainability & Longevity Orientation, Education & Training Immersion

Best Practices Orientation- Site Focused

 Kreyol, Cultural Awareness  Mission/Vision of Organizations

Education- Issue Focused  Common Read  Guest Speakers

Training- Skill Focused  Pre-Trip Service

Best Practices ● ● ● ● ●

Assessing Community Partnerships Community Voice Sustainability & Longevity Orientation, Education & Training Immersion

Future Directions       

Pre-Trip Planning Program Development Post Trip Action Plan Institutional Partnerships Community Partnerships Assessment Expanding the Compact

Future Directions Pre Trip Planning  Community member involvement, beyond partner staff  Pre-trip project planning  Pre-trip educational meetings  Student conference calls and common read Program Development  Community capacity building, including skills-sharing workshops  Long-term goals Post-trip Action Plan  Community involvement in developing a student-led post-trip action plan

Future Directions Institutional Partnerships  Faculty and departmental for community based learning Community Partnerships  Consistent local community partner  US-based organizations connected to issues Assessment  Tracking projects from year to year  In-depth evaluations with community partners  Student writing and digital stories  Longitudinal studies Expanding the Compact  Add members

Thank You! For more information:

 http://haiticompact.org  Upcoming

book