CSUN to receive funds for community services

Cal State University Northridge (CSUN) has received a grant from the federal government for $40,000 over the next three years to support community-service learning projects at the university.

The money comes from a federal Learn & Serve sub-grant from the Corporation for National Service through the California State University Chancellor’s Office.

Community-service learning combines explicit academic learning objectives, preparation and reflection with work in the community.

Students participating in the community-service learning projects provide direct service to nonprofit and public organizations as part of their requirement for academic credit, while professors help them understand the connection between the tasks they perform and their academic course work.

The projects include bringing music from around the world to elementary and middle school students, creating a "Lunchtime Handbook" for people serving jury duty in downtown Los Angeles, teaching at-risk youths in foster care the skills they need to function independently in society, teaching the elderly how to use the Internet and serving as teaching assistants in middle schools.