​ October 19 - 20, Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) students will be putting the “community” in community college as they participate in a tradition, called “Into the Streets,” which spans more than 20 years. This program is one, among many, that CGCC students participate in to make a difference in the communities in and around the school.

Into the Streets is a two-day college project designed to provide community service opportunities and classroom enrichment by directly integrating service with curriculum and assignments. The event, which showcases the CGCC community partnership, is an integral component of a robust service-learning program where faculty incorporate academic instruction with meaningful service in the larger community.  Students will provide service to local non-profit agencies and organizations associated with education, homelessness, senior adults, youth, wildlife, and disabled services.

“Chandler-Gilbert Community College is part of the community and exists to serve the community – programs like this reinforce the deep partnership between the community and the college,” said Alison Whiting, CGCC’s Coordinator of Service-Learning. “Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s tradition of learning outside of the classroom extends to experiences within our community, which allows students to make profound academic and relational connections between their studies and their future endeavors.”

After registration and orientation, on the day of the event, students are bused to a variety of community partners. These partners are selected based on current and future needs. Partners include, but are not limited to, Gilbert Senior Center, Chandler-Gilbert ARC, Riparian Preserve, Chandler Gilbert YMCA, Park Regency Assisted Living, San Marcos, Concordia and Humphrey Elementary Schools.

Once on site, students will serve for several hours at different community agencies in order to meet community needs and to fulfill specific project requests. Students often choose to work with agencies that are related to their chosen area of study or represent the type of work they are interested in pursuing after they earn their degree. Some of the activities students participate in include visiting with residents and participating in daily activities at senior centers and assisted living homes. In addition, students participate in outdoor work and clean up and assist elementary school teachers and individuals with special needs in activities and crafts. Other projects are based on the specific needs of the agencies.

Upon completion of the projects, students gather to reflect on the service they have done and its application to their coursework. During reflection, students discuss the project, present observations and participate in additional assignments designed to create a deeper connection between course work, curriculum and real-world application. Real-world lessons include making the connection between the academic study of communication and its practical application. In addition, it includes learning about the community they live in and the role they play in discovering issues that need to be addressed by individuals and groups. By learning more about community agencies, and the people they serve, students are exposed to the needs of others and learn how to communicate with people who have different life experiences.

Students who participated in previous projects were deeply moved, saying that the experience "opened their eyes and hearts to the social problems in our community.” In addition, they "learned what one person could do to help the community” as well as concluded that the project was “a good way of making research meaningful and exciting."

For more information about “Into the Streets,” to learn how to become a community partner or for the complete partner list, call CGCC’s Service Learning Department at (480) 732-7069 or visit http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/servicelearning