A team of Clinton School students conducted research this semester for a nonprofit that is fighting poverty in Phillips County, Ark., one of the most economically distressed counties in the state.
Clinton School students Kent Broughton of Pine Bluff, Ark., Krystle Chipman of San Jose, Calif., Calandra Davis of Brandon, Miss., and Matt Orr of Texarkana, Texas, spent seven months preparing an analysis of initiatives in Helena-West Helena, Ark., that complement the mission of Delta Circles, a nonprofit that is working to maximize efforts to fight poverty.
The students’ work involved planning, researching and conducting interviews with faith-based, government, healthcare, business, non-profit, education and social service organizations in the community.
The purpose of the interviews was to find existing assets and initiatives in the area that complement the Delta Circles mission. In conducting these interviews the looked to identify opportunities for collaboration among the organizations.
“This project is important for the community because as students conduct interviews with stakeholders it brings the issue of poverty to the forefront. It provides an opportunity for businesses, organizations, and individuals to play a roll in addressing the issue,” said Patricia Ashanti, executive director of Delta Circles.
“Delta Circles is important to the community because it provides the support that is often lacking for an individual or family to get ahead in their lives. It also recognizes the ability of an economically disadvantaged individual to still be an effective leader,” Ashanti said.
The Clinton School team will present their results on April 16, 2013 at the Pillow-Thompson House at 718 Perry St. in Helena-West Helena.
The students completed the project as part of the Clinton School Practicum program, which sends students into the field to complete a comprehensive public service project as part of the Master of Public Service degree program.
About Delta Circles:
Delta Circles’ mission is to get out of poverty and inspire communities to commit to long-term solutions for addressing poverty. Delta Circles is a holistic approach that focuses on all sectors of a community by engaging local government, faith-based institutions, businesses, and educational institutions in building social capital in the greater community.
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