Local philanthropists have donated funds so students can support local Civic Action Projects
Over the last two years local philanthropists have contributed funds so high school students can learn about the joys and challenges of philanthropy and so students who want to do civic projects can easily secured needed supplies. Many thanks to Hugh and Mair Lewis.

You can support this project with your time as well as dimes.
Please email and let me know how to reach you and in what way you would like to participate - as a student, service site sponsor or project mentor.

email : mcphers@pacifier.com

You can financially contribute to this program by donating to the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington ( www.cfsww.org) and requesting that the funds be designating for the the Community Conversations Project.

Donations are tax-deductible donation and will provide scholarships, transportation and support so low income students can participate in the Community Conversations summer “camps”.

• Planning and staffing the summer Civic Action Camps

• Covering the costs of transportation and supplies for the summer program, facilitation training and fall conversations.

• Developing and providing Community Conversation facilitation training for students.

•Developing web pbased resources for students

Some changes in the Partners
• The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington is serving as the fiscal partner for the project.

• Sam Gilroy Hicks is currently the manager for Evergreen’s Civic Action requirement.

• Union High School is currently more directly involved in this project and we are working with Connie Hennesey, the Culminating Project manager.

• We plan to work more directly with parents, connecting with them during their junior year and promoting summer and community opportunities

• While we do hope to eventually work with the Mature Learning Center at Clark College to offer intergenerational service, that will not take place during this initial year.

Change in the Process----
Several changes in the timeline and activities have developed because the structure of the Civic Action Projects has changed. We have modified the original plan and developed the following series of activities.
1. New Summer Civic Action Camps
In partnership with Evergreen Community Education we will offer several 4-day community immersion programs so students can learn about specific issues and how they impact the community. Participants will see how non-profit, civic, faith-based and for-profit organizations and individuals are working together to address a community priority. They will also serve at local organizations and explore ways they can continue to address the issues through volunteering, advocacy, philanthropy and personal action.

Students will attend these optional summer Civic Action Camps between their junior and senior year after they have chosen and researched an issue.

2. Facilitator Recruitment. Two- to four students from each “camp” will volunteer to help facilitate the fall Community Conversations. In addition, we will recruit in the fall for additional students

3. Fall Conversation Facilitators Training
Students will receive training to help them facilitate intergenerational conversations with adults.

4. Community Conversations….
The exact structure of these Community Conversations will vary depending on the school. Some conversations will happen at school during class periods and other conversation will be held in the community. We will work with students and school staff to determine the best time and location.

5. Student-designed Civic Action
All high school seniors will still be required to plan and implement a project that contributes to the community.