Community Service Leadership Project
HISTORY
“In the Community Service Leadership program, we have a sense of community and we learn how to become responsible young adults.”
Launched in 2006, the Community Service Leadership Project (CSLP) is a competitive entry program that provides training to middle and high school students to become better listeners, communicators and leaders in our community. The CSLP training includes job interview skills, peace education & team building techniques, peer training, writing & reflection journaling, and conflict mediation. Since the program's creation, PS87 Afterschool has hired 20% of graduate participants to work in our own afterschool program; over 45% of graduate participants reported having found a job where they were able to use the skills learned at the Community Service Leadership Project.
“I really feel that this program has been so helpful. I feel a lot more responsible.”
CURRENT WORKS
“Maybe we could have an updated (conflict mediation) training video so that it seems more real and modern?”
Thanks to the generous support of Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and additional support from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, we have completed the first of two planned conflict mediation training videos,
“r u listening?”
Written, performed and produced by participants of CSLP, these modern training videos are targeted to today’s youth, exploring conflict mediation in an age of social media.
FUTURE PROJECTS
“CSLP has an excellent structure that gave me the abilities to learn and the tools to teach.”
In the upcoming years, we will introduce several new directions for the CSLP project, while continuing the principal current work of providing peace education and vocational training to middle and high school students. These projects may include community outreach beautification efforts, financial literacy study and training in advanced mediation techniques. Within the next two years we will complete the second of two planned conflict mediation training videos created by CSLP participants and graduates, and hope to share this updated training tool with peace education advocates and school age care providers in our community and nationally.
To get involved, provide grant assistance, or collaborate on organization outreach with PS87 Afterschool Program’s Community Service Project, contact CSLP Director:
Alberto Cruz
212-873-0490
acruz@87afterschool.org