Just Connections brings together people from communities and colleges in Appalachia for service-learning, research, and collaborative action that will empower communities for social, economic and environmental justice.   Participating colleges and community organizations are from KY, VA, WV, TN, NC, GA and AL.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED with Just Connections

We welcome community organizers, nonprofit staff, college faculty, staff and students, and others who are interested in college-community partnerships for justice.  Newcomers and interested visitors may attend our quarterly meetings and Vision in Action.  To find out how you, your college or your community organization can get involved in Just Connections, email Robert or Ashley.

Robert Donnan  robert.donnan@gmail.com
Ashley Cochrane  ashley_cochrane@berea.edu

READY TO BECOME A MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

DOWNLOAD  Just Connections Membership Invoice

MAILING ADDRESS:   Just Connections
PO Box 6280, Maryville, TN  37802

2011-12 Board of Directors

Susan Ambler – Maryville College, TN
Marie Cirillo - Clearfork Community Learning Institute, TN
Ashley Cochrane – Berea College, KY
Miranda Coffey – Habitat for Humanity of Blount County, TN
Robert Donnan - Big Creek People in Action, WV
Robin Fife - Tusculum College, TN
Gene Maddox - George Clem Multicultural Association, TN
Billy Newton – New Opportunity School for Women in KY and NC
Annalisa Raymer – Emory & Henry College, VA

Mission Statement

The Mission of Just Connections is to invigorate grassroots democracy among residents of distressed mountain communities by creating and using models for participatory research and service in support of self-sustaining communities that offer equitable access to resources for local citizens.

 Just Connections defines participatory research as a process which places researchers and apprentices at the service of communities seeking help with the exploration of local assets, needs and opportunities, as well as with the planning, implementation and evaluation of development programs. This research model admits that the core knowledge about a situation resides in the community itself, and thus community members are the most qualified to bring meaning to the application of research skills. We believe that participatory research entails an equal partnership between campus and community.

For background and historical information, see the original Just Connections webpage at http://www.justconnections.info.