Wendy Ewald. From In Peace and Harmony: Carver Portraits
Thursday, September 6th
Today we had the opportunity to visit VCU's 'Carver Promise," which describes itself as
"striving to create a shared urban community with a commitment to improving the neighborhood’s quality of life including its health, community development, youth development, safety and neighborhood school, while extending the experience of the community into the classroom and the university. The goal of the partnership is to create a safe and nurturing community for everyone who lives, works and studies in the area."
With program coordinator Ron Brown leading the way, we ate cookies (thanks kate!), discussed our inspirations/reasons for taking and teaching the class, and learned briefly about the history of the Carver neighborhood (used to be called Sheep Hill...bahhhhhdd things happened to sheep...sorry) as well as VCU's role within that community.
Ron provided information on the physical function of the space (education and empowerment for kids, tech resources for adults) as well as the less tangible ways in which the center has, and can be a positive force within the local community.
Good discussions took place surrounding the complex and potentially problematic role the college, as well as it's students play within Carver, and Richmond as a whole.
Avenues for further/future student engagement were discussed...more information here;
Great minutes, Mark. Thanks!
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