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Public Achievement
Public Achievement is a national youth initiative that engages young people in community based civic education and public work. Public work is the difficult process of working with a group of diverse people to solve public problems and make a lasting contribution to our communities and world. The larger goal of the program is to expand the notions of politics, democracy and citizenship by empowering individuals as agents of public change. Currently, five students at Colorado College meet with small groups of Wasson High School students every Tuesday to implement student-led service-learning projects, develop important civic skills and mentor students. The student groups this year are addressing the issues of teen violence, poverty in Colorado Springs, the achievement gap, discrimination, environmental sustainability, and high school academic preperation. The Public Achievement process includes brainstorming issues that are imporant to the students, researching the issues, narrowing down the focus from the larger issue to the problem, addressing the problem through a service-learning project, reflecting on the process, and celebrating their efforts. Overall the students are empowered to facilitate change and share their important perspective as youth in this community. Coaching Opportunity
The Colorado College students that participate in Public Achievement are known as "coaches." This opportunity is available to work-study elegible students or volunteers. It is a powerful and extremely rewarding experience for those that want to enhance youth voice and teach the value of public work. Please contact Kira Pasquesi at (719) 227-8270 if you are interested in this opportunity. Coaches are trained at the beginning of the academic year and serve over the course of both semesters with two different groups of students. There may be additional opportunities in the future as we look to expand to more K-12 schools. Check out A Tale of Two Playgrounds: Young People and Politics by Harry C. Boyte and the Public Achievement website for background information on the program. Resources for Current Coaches
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