| The
Neighborhood Learning Community (NLC) is an example of a whole
neighborhood—schools, local government, neighborhood organizations,
and residents—working together and taking responsibility
for the education of young people. The NLC's goal is for all
young people in the neighborhood to grow up as successful,
engaged citizens.
The
NLC is not a fixed organization. NLC leaders help broker resources,
provide support for civic learning and leadership development,
and connect people and organizations to generate ideas. Programs that have been created through the NLC include: All Around the Neighborhood, West Side Youth Guides, Youth Apprenticeship Project, Teen Scene, and Monday Night Live. The West Side Circulator is also an initiative of the NLC.
A
Way For Young People And Adults To Build Civic Skills
The
NLC creates a space for young people and adults
to develop the skills and habits of active citizenship. A diverse
group of stakeholders takes leadership and is
involved in training of youth workers, design and implementation of programming, and evaluation
of NLC programs. Many of the programs available to youth emphasize leadership development.
History
The
NLC got its start when a diverse group of young people and
adults in the West Side neighborhood of St. Paul, Minn.,
came together around their shared values and interests. They
believed that young people learned better if they grow up
in a place with a culture of learning, where there
are rich learning opportunities and great expectations.
Since 2001, St. Paul's West Side residents and other stakeholders
have worked together to make their streets, parks, and community
buildings places of learning and social connection.
The Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the University
of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs is a lead
partner in the NLC.
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