WorkFest Presentation

http://news.cincinnati.coa .com/article/9999e/99999999/FLASH01/

“I HAVE MANY WANTS BUT FEW NEEDS” SPRING BREAK

ASH01/100409

FEW NEEDS : SPRING BREAK IN RURAL APPALACHIA

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Jessica King2011 UC Diversity Conference

University Honors Programy g

Comprises the top 5% of UC students and offers an engaging environment in which students are inspired to learn more, do more, and be more. Students are challenged through honors seminars and experiential g g plearning projects that focus on:

Community engagementGlobal studiesGlobal studiesLeadershipResearch and creative arts

C d h l d h Committed to helping students maximize their educational opportunities at UC while discovering and pursuing their passions in life and using their gifts and

l k f l btalents to make meaningful contributions to society.

Appalachian Regionpp g

Appalachian Appalachian mountain chain stretches from Mississippi to New York, including parts of Southern Ohio, spanning 205 000 205,000 square-miles

Appalachian Culturepp

In briefIn briefA strong work ethic, independence, self-reliance, pride, religion, humility, modesty, patriotism, loyalty, neighborliness, “un-churched” religion, family bonds

C l d i b i d iCoal and timber industriesDistinct dialectSocial issues

Poverty, isolation, prescription drug abuse, t i t lmountain top removal

“[The Appalachian people are] a misunderstood group, doing the best that they can. Just because they have a different culture, they are not any less important and they work just as hard.” – first year student

Evolution of an Experiencep

Alternative spring break offered in conjunction Alternative spring break offered in conjunction with an honors seminar for a number of years

Appalachian Culture & Intercultural CommunicationAppalachian Culture & Intercultural CommunicationTaught by MJ Woeste, Dept. of Communication

St d t d d t ff i i th Student demand to offer experience in the absence of the course

S i 2010 12 d Spring 2010 – 12 students Spring 2011 – 23 students

Pre-Departurep

General promotion of opportunityp pp yPre-readings and videos, linked in e-portfolio

The Road to Poverty: The Making of Wealth and y gHardship in Appalachia -- Billings & Blee (2000)“Hidden America: Children of the Mountains” – Diane Sawyer 20/20 SpecialSawyer, 20/20 Special

Meeting led by returning students in the last two yearsyears

IcebreakersMore discussion of history and culture,Anecdotes from prior experiences

Christian Appalachian Projectpp j

“Workfest is CAP’s alternative i b k f ll spring break for college

students. The event attracts more than 400 students from

40 diff ll d 40 different colleges and universities each March.

During Workfest, students i i serve in teams to repair

substandard housing and build new homes for low-

f lincome families in eastern Kentucky. No prior

construction or building experience is necessary.”

(christianapp.org)

Workfest

Orientation and welcomeOrientation and welcomeFour work days

Mixed crewsMixed crewsNew builds, rehab projects

Evening programmingEvening programmingHistory of the regionPovertyPovertyFamily dinnerSchool nightSchool nightNightly reflections

Impactp

Credit/service requirements may have been an / q yinitial motivator

Post-experience reflection indicates much moreInterest in continuing to serve in some capacity

Recognizing local needsAltered perceptions of the Appalachian region

Region of contrastsN t d i f d t tNoted some reinforced stereotypes

More complex views about poverty and why it existsexists

Impactp

Ben Schutte (right)

3 year Workfestparticipantparticipant

Long-term Long-term volunteer with CAP

“My perceptions have changed. It is a mixture of poor and not poor at times right next to each other. It has a beautiful landscape right next to a landscape full of garbage. My perception of Appalachia is best defined as one of stark contrasts.” – first year student

“Community service will help me become a better and y pmore understanding student. I want to help those in poverty locally.” – third year student

Urban Appalachian Populationpp p

1 in 4 native Cincinnatians can trace their roots to 1 in 4 native Cincinnatians can trace their roots to Appalachia (uacvoice.org) Particular pockets of this population found in Particular pockets of this population found in communities such as Camp Washington, Northside, Price Hill, etc.

Other People’s Words: The Cycle of Low Literacy, Other People s Words: The Cycle of Low Literacy, Purcell-GatesUrban Appalachian CouncilUrban Appalachian Council

“This trip has encouraged me to stay actively involved in the Cincinnati comm nit beca se po ert is s ch a rele ant iss e here too It has p shed community because poverty is such a relevant issue here too. It has pushed me to want to sort of ‘stop the fire at the base of the flame’ and get involved in education and youth mentoring.” – first year student