Fearless: Immersion Projects

Students on an Immersion Project in New Orleans are definitely doing some great work this week! The students spent part of the week working with Grow Dat Youth Farm in New Orleans City Park, an organization that hires youth from the city to work at the farm. They sell 60% of their organically grown food at whole food markets and restaurants and they donate the rest to their student workers. The organization strives to teach their volunteers responsibility, team work and commitment. [excerpt

Developing Community Partnerships to Reach Underserved Diverse Populations

[Excerpt] Like much of the U.S., Massachusetts is becoming increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. Studies show that the state’s future population growth will come through immigration. Meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities from diverse backgrounds has historically been a challenge for our service systems. With changing demographics, it is more important than ever. Workforce and disability staff may feel uncertain about how to reach these potential consumers. One effort agencies have made is to increase the diversity of their own staff. While this is important, there is an additional strategy you can try: building connections to local community-based or faith-based organizations