NYLC Helps Gulf Coast Students Rebuild Their Communities

This summer, 5th- through 8th-graders in the Gulf Coast region will address their communities’ long-term recovery needs as part of the Gulf Coast WalkAbout. The service-learning-based summer-school program works with youths in school districts where at least 50 percent of students have been displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. WalkAbout engages youths in community-based service projects and strengthens their academic skills. The program was developed by NYLC as part of its Resources for Recovery initiative and funded by the State Farm Companies Foundation.

Five sites (some connecting multiple schools) have been selected to participate in the Gulf Coast WalkAbout. The programs will begin in June. The sites are:

• Charlotte Hyatt Elementary School, Escatawpa Elementary School, and Kreole Elementary School (Moss Point, Miss.)
• Nicholson Elementary School, South Side Upper Elementary, and Center for Alternative Education (Picayune, Miss.)
• Capdau Charter School (New Orleans, La.)
• Sophie B. Wright Charter School (New Orleans, La.)
• DeQueen Elementary School and Port Arthur Alternative Center (Port Arthur and Groves, Texas)

"Displaced youths are still in a very vulnerable position. Their entire lives have been disrupted," said NYLC President and CEO Jim Kielsmeier. "WalkAbout addresses academic needs, provides structure to their summers, and perhaps most importantly, taps young people as community assets. Communities reap tangible benefits, and young people are engaged in active learning. "

At each site, 100-130 students will work with teams of four teachers, nine college students, and two adult volunteers. The teams will assess local needs, plan and implement service-learning projects, and link their work to academic goals. Using NYLC’s WalkAbout curriculum, students will learn about environmental and natural science, emergency preparedness and response, and oral history.

"State Farm and NYLC have partnered for several years on service-learning projects. We are extremely excited about this joint effort and how it will have a positive effect in impacted Gulf states," said Webb Howell, State Farm Vice President.  "WalkAbout helps young people transform themselves from hurricane victims into community leaders. Through these service-learning projects, students in the Gulf Coast area will have a direct role in helping their communities rebuild at the same time as they pursue building their academic skills."

Following the completion of the Gulf Coast WalkAbout, NYLC will use the curriculum and feedback from the Gulf Coast sites to extend the WalkAbout model to other communities.