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Dubuque County Extension AmeriCorps

Another key component of the Dubuque Partners In Learning AmeriCorps project is Member Development. Before beginning their placements, all Members complete intensive training sessions during which teamwork is developed and essential information and skills are provided.

Each Member becomes certified in Universal Precautions, First-Aid/CPR, and Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting. Members placed during the school year, develop fundamentals of supporting learning in reading and math as well as the basics of mentoring youth in kindergarten to 12th grades.

Teamwork, leadership and communication skills are built upon using a Challenge Course. The Challenge Course is a portable low-ropes course on which the Members are encouraged to challenge themselves to a task. Following the Challenge, the Members discuss application of these new skills in the community. Members report feeling like they really know each other by the end of the day!

	This team tries to look ahead to see what challenges they face while on the "bridge".
One Member tries to direct her blindfolded partner out of the "minefield"

A number of additional Member Development opportunities are offered throughout the year. For example, during the school year, Members are encouraged to be involved in a Poverty Simulation. Members take on the role of a family living in poverty. The simulation requires the Member to pay the bills, attempt to find needed financial support from different agencies (represented by role-playing community members), and still maintain their health. It gives Members an opportunity to experience first hand the challenges some individuals face, along with the chance to examine and reexamine their perceptions.

Members placed in summer programs receive training in a number of educational curriculums. The curriculum kits travel weekly to each playground site and provide topics of interest for children. This includes Growing in the Garden, Digging Up Dinosaurs and Fizz, Bubble, Goo!

Members complete portfolios outlining their placement and learning experiences.

To visit Portfolios click here.

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Author: Date:3/9/2005