Degree Name

MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management

First Advisor

Janaki Natarajan

Abstract

The following research paper examines the inner workings of a full-service community school known as Pearce Community Resource Center in Zion, Illinois. This qualitative case study explores the perceptions of thirteen stakeholders. The purpose of this research was to determine how the school programs and social service agencies housed within this space were perceived to function in relationship to one another. Through one-on-one, small group, and electronic interviews, the researcher determined whether collaboration was perceived to be taking place and identified opportunities to maximize this space for the community’s residents.

Pearce Community Resource Center has a dental clinic for youth, a pregnancy and family resource center, a church, a substance abuse counseling and anger management program, four school programs, three of which are connected to the community’s high school, and an organization that provides clothing, basic home goods, and car repair services. All of the study’s participants either worked for one of the school programs or agencies or had a consulting relationship with staff at Pearce Community Resource Center.

The author explored Chicago-based full service community school models in relation to Pearce and used the work of Joy Dryfoos and The Children’s Aid Society to further her analysis. The case study ends with a series of recommendations based on the feedback the author received from participants and an understanding of other community school models similar to Pearce.

Disciplines

Civic and Community Engagement | Community-Based Learning | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Educational Sociology | Social Work

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