Carolina Center for Public Service - Public Service and Engagement at Carolina

2008 Robert E. Bryan Fellows

Erin Barger

A first-year Master of Social Work candidate, Erin will evaluate and strengthen the Summer Work and Wellness program of the Arc of Orange County. The Arc enables adolescents with developmental disabilities to experience various work and recreational activities with the end goal of preparing them for successful transitions into adulthood and employment. The proposed “North Star” project will address existing program challenges, including improving success, youth participation, and sustainability.

Area served: Orange County
Faculty Mentor: Susan Parish, School of Social Work
Community Partner: Robin Baker, The Arc of Orange County

 

Emily Eidenier

A first-year Master of Public Health candidate, Emily will collaborate with the Rogers/Eubanks Coalition to End Environmental Racism (CEER), a community-based organization in Orange County, through community service and participatory research. The project will provide community service by assembling an archive of documents relating to the thirty year struggle over the Eubanks/Rogers Road solid waste landfill, and community-based participatory research through photovoice, a grassroots approach to photography and social action, to engage residents about quality of life issues.

Area served: Orange County
Faculty Mentor: Eugenia (Geni) Eng, School of Public Health
Community Partner: Robert Campbell, Rogers/Eubanks Coalition to End Environmental Racism

Jennifer (Jenny) Hinkle

a Junior Political Science and Spanish double major, will serve as the Dean of Students for Student U., a summer program for middle school students with academic and financial need in Durham. Her project will address both academic and non-academic factors that affect the academic achievement of students. An initial assessment of these factors followed by the development and implementation of an individual action plan for each student will help the students prepare for and succeed in middle school.

Area served: Durham County
Faculty Mentor: Natasha Bowen, School of Social Work
Community Partner: Daniel Kimberg, Student U.

Leah Perkinson

A first-year Master of Public Health candidate, Leah will coordinate Project DIVE: Developing swimming skills and Invoking Voice to Empower youth. The two-week youth development project will be integrated into Chatham County's Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services (FVRC) Camp Firefly. By including swimming lessons and creative arts and crafts activities in the camp curricula, project DIVE hopes to facilitate positive youth development in the lives of children ages 6-17 who are primary and secondary victims of violence.

Area served: Chatham County
Faculty Mentor: Kathryn (Beth) Moracco, School of Public Health
Community Partner: Jo Sanders, Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services

 

Crystal Yarborough

A first-year Master of Social Work candidate, Crystal will lead the coffee shop project. This project will consist of an eight week group learning series on job readiness skills with African American women living with HIV/AIDS and other consumers at CAARE, Inc. Additionally, this project will organize the members of the Positive Acting Women's (PAW) support group in establishing a socialization space (the coffee shop) for use by all of the consumers at CAARE, Inc.

Area served: Durham County
Faculty Mentor: Vanessa Hodges, School of Social Work
Community Partner: Sharon Elliot-Bynum, Healing with CAARE