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Programs

 

Educational Equity

The Swearer Center is building an approach to educational equity and opportunity that works with students and families across a continuum of time and through a combination of research, direct service, policy work, and advocacy. Our current programs provide the starting point for this effort:

** Education Equity website

Elementary and Middle School

Language Arts Program

The Language Arts Program provides writing support for children at the William D'Abate Elementary School in Olneyville and Asa Messer Elementary School in the West End. The program works with children at the third, fourth and fifth grade levels. Coordinators: Nicholas Chung and Michael Lee.
Contact: Ah-Young_Song@brown.edu; Britta_Han@brown.edu

John Hope Mentoring Program

The John Hope Mentoring Program is a partnership with the John Hope Settlement House, an agency that offers a variety of services to culturally diverse children and families in Providence. The program pairs Brown volunteers with youths who participate in the John Hope After-School Program, or whose families are involved in the John Hope Department of Social Services. Mentors provide educational, social, and emotional support for children through weekly tutoring sessions and youth development activities. While much of the work in this program happens in individual tutoring sessions, special events also bring youth and mentors together as a community. There are also a number of events in which parents join the mentors and mentees, creating a stronger system of support for these youth. Coordinator: Afshan Amjiri
Contact: Afshan_Ajmiri@brown.edu

No Small Parts

No Small Parts is an acting and play-writing program encouraging improvisation and the creation of new theater. Participants work through their own interpretations of existing plays and discover new ways of performing, rewriting, and making them their own. The program allows students to be performers, playwrights, and directors. All pieces are performed at a group showcase. Coordinator: Dilania Inoa
Contact: Dilania_Inoa@Brown.edu; emma_price@brown.edu

Project Eye to Eye

Project Eye-to-Eye pairs learning disabled Brown students with learning disabled children from the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence. The pairs share their experiences, offer academic support and engage in after-school art activities. Coordinators: Kori Schulman and Adam Koplewicz.
Contact: Kori_Schulman@brown.edu; Adam_Koplewicz@brown.edu

Providence Science Outreach

Providence Science Outreach (PSO) sends Brown students into Providence elementary schools to organize hands-on science projects with kids. Volunteers try to ignite interest in science by showing children that science is exciting, fun and useful. By serving as role models and organizing simple experiments, volunteers show children that anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or age, can succeed in science. Projects have included building bridges, growing plants, testing electricity, and making ice cream. Volunteers teach in teams of four or five, going to the same site weekly. Coordinators: Aaron Becker and Neha Zope.
Contact: Aaron_Becker@brown.edu; Neha_Zope@brown.eduVISIT THE PSO SITE

Swearer Classroom Program

The Swearer Classroom Program provides hands-on literacy training to student volunteer tutors at the William D'Abate Elementary School and Asa Messer Elementary School in Providence. Brown student volunteers work, one-on-one, with elementary school students on their reading. Coordinator: Dilania Inoa
Contact: Dilania_Inoa@Brown.edu; Joshua_Curhan@brown.edu

Community Outreach Through the Performing Arts (COPA)

Community Outreach through the Performing Arts (COPA), places Brown students in arts classes at Providence after school programs at public housing sites. COPA seeks to build relationships between college students and children in Providence to encourage confidence, inspire learning and foster creativity for all participants. Classes, including instruction in creative writing, dance, choir, are taught by Brown student volunteers. The year culminates in the COPA performance festival (COPA Fest) on the Brown campus. Coordinators: Alice Nystrom
Contact: Alice_Nystrom@brown.edu

CityGirls/CityBrothers

CityGirls and CityBrothers pairs boys and girls ages 8-14 from Bridgham and Gilbert Stuart Middle Schools in Providence and Goff Junior High in Pawtucket with a volunteer college mentor. The program's focus is around campus visits, programming in the schools, special events and activities. Special programming encourages academic enrichment, leadership and community service. Program Coordinators: Anna Rasulova. CityGirls Site Coordinators: Kathleen Lavery, Jemilla Michael, Jakina Debnam, and Rebecca Lebowitz. CityBrothers Site Coordinators: Stefan Lallinger, Kyle Nordrum, Jake Izenburg, and Paul-Emile Dorsainvil.
Contact: Anna_Rasulova@brown.edu