COLLABORATIVE LEARNING is used to share ideas and experiences, to analyze the root causes of the problems we face and to strategize about how we can take action together to resolve these problems in a way that values the voice, perspective and contribution of every person.
In 2003, Make the Road by Walking initiated a rigorous Adult Education Program that includes English as a Second Language (ESL) and computer literacy classes for our members. Our intensive three-hour classes with a small student-to-teacher ratio and one-on-one support for students goes well beyond traditional instruction by integrating issues of social justice for communities into the curriculum. In this way, our members develop a growing sense of self- empowerment while building collective power to address the oppression and discrimination they face in their everyday lives.
After-school Youth Programming
Youth Power Project offers several learning opportunities for Make the Road by Walking members between the ages of 8 and 21. Weekly poetry workshops, hip-hop workshops, a basketball club, and organizing campaign meetings gave Youth Power teen members opportunities to develop literacy, leadership, organizing, and group work skills.
Learning Circles and Organizing Training
Make the Road by Walking uses popular education techniques to develop leaders and catalyze grassroots civic participation. Make the Road by Walking also identifies emerging community leaders and provide them with our Encuentros de Lideres (Leadership) workshop. This workshop develops residents¹ organizing, analytical and group work skills, and deepens their understanding of the law, New York City organizing history and the legislative landscape. The workshops enable participants¹ to better understand organizing work and put neighborhood concerns in a broader context in order to identify large public policy challenges. To date, over 150 members have graduated from our intensive Encuentros de Lideres.
For more information, contact:
Oona Chatterjee (English/Spanish), oona @ maketheroad.org
Julie Quinton (English/Spanish), julie @ maketheroad.org