Welcome to Just Connections 2013
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
2012 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 Fdn. KY, NC, VA
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.
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