Action Research Center Internship

Chelsea Hillyer and Lauren Yearsich in front of the CLA Research Lab

2006 Syllabus

2008 Syllabus

The internship is second in ARC's three course action research sequence. It enables students to deepen the relationships they made with community partners in the first semester through an internship. Periodic campus briefings and presentations allow a support group on campus to stay informed about ongoing community projects.

PSCI 397 / SOC 397 Internship Seminar

ARC Internships for Spring 2009

Those interested in applying should see Professor Jim Simeone, Professor Jim Sikora, or ARC Coordinator Deborah Halperin.

1. Implementing a Community-Based Action Plan

   Project: Westside Revitalization Task Force
   Partner Organization: Bloomington City Council
   Contact: Dennis Arnold, Task Force Member

2. Surveying an Historic District

   Project: Building Inventory of the Warehouse District
   Partner Organization: Bloomington City Council
   Contact: Karen Schmidt, Ward 6 Council Member

3. Cultivating International Relations

   Project: International Business Initiative
   Partner Organization: Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council
   Contact: Marty Vanags, Executive Director

4. Reaching Out to At-Risk Youth

   Project: Gang Intervention Program
   Partner Organization: Western Avenue Community Center
   Contact: Greg Patton, Project Coordinator

5. Improving Safety for Renters

   Project: Off-Campus Renter Safety
   Partner Organization: American Red Cross of the Heartland
   Contact: Carolynne Saffer, Health and Safety Coordinator

6. Managing a Social Capital Database

   Project: Social Capital for People with Development Disabilities
   Partner Organization: Marcfirst
   Contact: Laura Furlong, Vice President for Human Resources and Technology

7. Building an Assets-Based Community Development Plan

   Project: Community Needs Assessment
   Partner Organization: Hispanic Families Work Group
   Contact: Alex Cardona, President

8. Encouraging Entrepreneurship

   Project: Business Skills for Youth
   Partner Organization: UNITY Community Center
   Contact: Tabitha Major, Executive Director

9. Growing a Garden, Growing Community

   Project: Community Gardening
   Partner Organization: Old Towne Neighborhood Assn
   Contact: Valerie Dumser, Master Gardner

10. Developing a Job Training Program

    Project: Computer Recycling with Teens
    Partner Organization: Blue Jay Computers
    Contact: Jay Meyers, President

11. Monitoring Legislation Affecting Seniors

    Project: Advocacy for Seniors
    Partner Organization: East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    Contact: Tami Wacker, Operations Manager

12. Creating a Strategic Plan to Close the Achievement Gap

    Project: Achievement Gap Task Force
    Partner Organization: District 87 & Unit 5 School Districts
    Contact: Tom Laxton, State Farm Education Leadership

13. Researching Early Learning Needs in McLean County

    Project: Expansion Viability
    Partner Organization: Milestones Early Learning Center
    Contact: Dana David, Executive Director

14. Coordinating an Environmental Education Program

    Project: The “Life on the Farm” Fifth Grader Field Trips
    Partner Organization: Spence Farm
    Contact: Marty Travis, Steward

15. Building a Social Utility

    Project: Preparing a Plan for 211 in Thirteen Counties
    Partner Organization: PATH (Providing Access to Help)
    Contact: Karen Zangerle, Executive Director

16. Curating Local History

    Project: Researching the History of Water Use in McLean County
    Partner Organization: Mclean County History Museum
    Contact: Suzan Hartzhold, Curator of Collections and Exhibits

17. Valuing Salvage

    Project: Old House Society Inventory Audit
    Partner Organization: Old House Society of McLean County
    Contact: Karen Finchum, Treasurer
    

18. Writing a Federal Grant

    Project: Westside Lead Paint Abatement Initiative
    Partner Organization: City of Bloomington Legal Department
    Contact: George Boyle, City Attorney

19. Assessing Educational Outcomes

    Project: No Child Left Behind Standards Assessment
    Partner Organization: Heartland Head Start
    Contact: Debbie Ditchen, Executive Director

20. Persuading the Public, Advocating for a Cause

    Project: Media Plan for Illinois Clean Elections Effort
    Partner Organization: Agenda for a Living Democracy
    Contact: Donella Hess-Grabill, President

21. Creating Inter-Cultural/Inter-Religious Awareness

    Project: Bridging the Indigenous/European American Gap
    Partner Organization: Seven Circles Heritage Center
    Contact: Carol Lakota Eastin, Executive Director

22. Fundraising for an International NGO

    Project: Attracting Donors for a Preventative Health Clinic
    Partner Organization: Lamu Center for Preventative Health
    Contact: Munib Abdulrehman, Executive Director

23. Tracking a Westside Neighborhood’s Vital Statistics

    Project: Affordable Housing Planning
    Partner Organization:  Mid-Central Community Action
    Contact: Rick Barrera, Housing Director

24. Assisting Hispanic Community Members

    Project: Developing a Spanish-English Translation Guides
    Partner Organization: Western Avenue Community Center
    Contact: Saul Pulito, Translation Coordinator

25. Developing a Strategic Plan

    Project: Bridging the Gap for the Economically Disadvantaged
    Partner Organization: Heartland Community College
    Contact: Pam Westerdahl, Director of Workforce Services