These are clearly challenging and scary times. But we are often at our best when faced with big challenges. We plan to highlight some hopeful stories of kindness, compassion and neighborliness that emerge; and we’d love to hear what you are seeing! I will get this started with my story Read more…
On a crisp and sunny Saturday morning earlier this month, the Woburn Public Library and SCI Woburn joined together to bring a wonderfully unique experience to the people of Woburn. As people young and old gathered near the cozy fireplace in the Frizzell Study Hall walls were broken down, hearts Read more…
A new book “Who You Know”, about the importance of social capital for student success, tops our list of recent social capital reads. Read More…
This program year we are expanding the successful Cultural Connections Supper Clubs. Diverse groups of teens and adults will learn about new cultures by cooking their cuisine together. Read More…
Wow! I realized it has been over a year since I blogged here on the SCI site. Not for lack of blogging though–as some of you know I share my passion for tasty, healthy food on a blog called Cooking Chat. I thought it would be a good time to Read more…
During my drive to the office this morning, I learned about an interesting Milwaukee neighborhood initiative that is taking a “social capitalist” approach to helping young black males. OK, the NPR story didn’t use the term, but I think it definitely applies! When one youth got arrested for some vandalism in the Read more…
I read data about the Millennial generation with great interest. Sure, size has something to do with it. Now the largest and most diverse generation of Americans, Millennials are positioned to have a big influence on our society. The majority of our AmeriCorps members fall into the Millennial category, so Read more…
We are all too aware of the academic achievement gap, which has rightfully stirred much effort to close the gap and create equal educational opportunity for students of all backgrounds. New research indicates there is also a disconcerting gap on civic achievement and social capital that is of particular concern to Read more…
What was President Kennedy’s greatest accomplishment? A good case certainly can be made for avoiding a devastating nuclear war in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis, but his call to service has to be right up there. During one of yesterday’s JFK remembrances on WBUR, I was reminded of Read more…
Want to learn some good tips for engaging volunteers and building community at your organization? Perhaps you should spend a morning at a local farm like I did yesterday! We wanted to get better acquainted with Nina and Archie McIntyre after Nina had come to one of our events awhile Read more…