Berkshire Humane Society is a private, nonprofit, open-admission animal support organization with a twofold mission:
1. to ensure the compassionate care, treatment, and whenever possible, placement of homeless animals through the shelter operation, and
2. to promote and improve the welfare of all animals through community education and outreach
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/berkshire-humane-society
The mission of the Berkshire Immigrant Center is to assist individuals and families in making the economic, psychological and cultural adjustment to a new land, not only by meeting basic needs, but also by helping them to become active participants in our community. The Center also aims to build bridges of understanding and cooperation across cultures, to fight racism and discrimination in all forms, and to advocate for the rights of immigrants from all backgrounds. The Center offers comprehensive services for individuals from more than 80 countries to promote civic engagement, facilitate cultural integration, and assist in navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/berkshire-immigrant-center/
This Winter Study course features a 2-3 week teaching practicum in a resource-challenged New York City public or charter school (2013 Course Enrollment: 12). Contact Tracy Finnegan, Tracy.C.Finnegan@williams.edu and visit learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/courses-teaching/teach-in-new-york-city.
The mission of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (NBCC) is to improve the quality of life for people in northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/northern-berkshire-community-coalition
There are many options at Williams for experiential learning in Africa! Placement assistance and some funding are available for student fieldwork opportunities through Winter Study travel courses and independent studies (WSP99’s), summer policy research, teaching, and community development internships and spring break service projects in South Africa, Ghana, and other African countries. Visit here for more information or email Dr. Consolini at pconsoli@williams.edu.
The Pittsfield Prevention Partnership unites the community in order to produce positive youth development by reducing youth substance abuse rates in Pittsfield.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
Project Description: This winter study teaching experience is available through PSCI 21 Fieldwork in Public Affairs and Private Non-Profits. Up to 2 students will work as Teaching Associates during the entire winter study period teaching and developing curriculum for El Centro Educativo La Palma (El Centro), a pioneering PreK – 6th Grade elementary school in the northeast of the Dominican Republic. They will support the teaching of English through creative approaches of their choice in areas such as art, environmental studies, and/or music education. El Centro would really benefit from creative students willing to work with the teachers to establish a curriculum that will suit the learning needs of the children at the school. Teaching Associates will be provided with a list of themes being covered in other subjects so that these can be incorporated into the projects as time permits.
The Town: El Valle is located in the province of Hato Mayor Del Rey and it is located approximately three hours from the capital. It is in a rural area so access to many products and services is limited; however, the TAs will be able to meet their basic needs with what’s around. It is important that the Williams students understand that El Valle is a small and poor town. Needless to say, there are ways the TAs can keep busy. The town has a small park, and many dance floors (to learn the bachata, merengue, and salsa). Williams students can also continue consulting on the programs and activities they create once they return to the U.S.
The School & The Workday: The school day typically runs from 8am-4pm. Lunch will be provided at the school for the Williams students.
Funding for the school comes from two major sources: Inasca Agroindustrial and Fe y Alegria. Inasca is a palm oil company owned and run by the Crouch family (the family of a Williams’ alum). Most of the students at El Centro have parents who work at Inasca, as the school was initially built to provide education for the many children of Inasca’s workers. Fe y Alegria is a Jesuit non-profit organization that helps with the set-up of schools in impoverished areas all over the world. Aside from paying the teachers, Fe y Alegria provides the school with materials, training, and support.
Living Arrangements: The Crouch family will provide the participants housing with available Wi-Fi, food (breakfast and dinner during the weekdays) and in-country transportation, including a few weekend trips around the beautiful Island. The expense for the students will be the transportation to get from their homes to the Santo Domingo airport and back to Williams. The financial aid limit for this fieldwork is $1000 (the maximum for all winter study fieldwork courses).
Dress Code: No flip-flops, shirts without sleeves (bare shoulders), shorts, or very tight pants. Sneakers should be fine, and jeans too, with a t-shirt or a polo shirt.
**Important** Is this project right for you?
Please keep in mind that we are looking for students who:
-understand and can speak Spanish
-take initiative and are creative
-are flexible and open to changes and new ideas
-are keen to work with children
To find out more in the meantime: Email Paula Consolini at clia@williams.edu or Elle Montoya-Kelner at crm1@williams.edu
The Mount is a National Historic Landmark and cultural center that celebrates the literary, artistic, and humanitarian legacies of Edith Wharton.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/the-mount
The Nutrition Center‘s mission is to inspire a healthy relationship with food through counseling, nutrition, and culinary education.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/the-nutrition-center
The Wilderness Society‘s mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We contribute to better protection, stewardship and restoration of our public lands, preserving our rich natural legacy for current and future generations.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/the-wilderness-society/
The mission of Timberlawn Elementary School is to teach and learn with purpose, passion, and perseverance. We will achieve our mission by working together to ensure that every Timberlawn Bulldog excels academically, socially and emotionally. Students recite the Timberlawn Mission Statement at the beginning of each school day.
Timberlawn Elementary School is one of 38 elementary schools in the Jackson Public School District. It serves students in grades pre-K-5. Timberlawn is located in a low-income community. It is a Title 1 school; 97% of students live below the poverty line. For more information on the school, please visit timberlawn.jpsms.org.
Additional Information & Current Opportunities:
learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/opportunities/timberlawn-elementary-school
Both a Winter Study course (ECON 22/POEC 22) pioneered by Professor Lucie Schmidt and a community service program (Purple Valley VITA) this initiative provides low income taxpayers free filing assistance. IRS-certified student volunteers, who train through the winter study course, help local clients retrieve over $150,000 annually in federal and state tax refunds. For more information, contact VITA program administrator and CLiA Director Paula Consolini at pconsoli@williams.edu and visit learning-in-action.stage.williams.edu/courses-teaching/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-program.