Brock University’s Community Learning group is pleased to announce funding for a new community-university initiative in Niagara, with a $10,000 grant from Accenture.

Participants at a recent Community Learning conversation café in Niagara.

The six-week community-university initiative, “PSE 101: Community Development,” is aimed at motivated adults, selected by community organizations, who have been unable to experience post-secondary education. Brock students interested in community development will also be invited to take part in the class. Professors and graduate students will volunteer to lead academic sessions.

“The aim of this initiative is to create a welcoming and informative introduction to the world of post-secondary learning,” says Kate Cassidy, director, Community Learning at Brock. “This partnership will help to create a supportive educational experience that can serve as a springboard to further community involvement or education.”

Michelle Leone, program co-ordinator, adds that the course “will be barrier-free.”

“Bus fare, child care, school supplies, class materials and meals will be provided to participants who are referred by non-profit agencies,” says Leone. “There are no tuition fees for this program.”

“Brock University’s Community Learning initiative falls within Accenture’s global Skills to Succeed commitment to help address the need for job skills that open doors to employment in Canada and around the world,” said Michael Wilson, managing director, Accenture, Canada Corporate Citizenship.

“We are excited to be teaming with Brock University to create an educational learning community for those interested in furthering their education.”

The program is partly funded by a $10,000 grant from Accenture. The contribution reflects the company’s global corporate citizenship initiative, “Skills to Succeed,” which plans to equip 500,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. The grant consists of cash as well as the time and skills of Accenture employees who will present a resume workshop to program participants.

Brock’s department of Community Learning is dedicated to individual and community development through lifelong learning activities. These activities are carried out with a particular value for community, diversity, educational access, citizenship, 21st-century skills and fostering a regional culture of curiosity.