Cognizant of the fact that neighbors are
essential to the success of Grace Hill’s programs, a training mechanism
has been established which orients each neighborhood to the procedures and
resources that enable them to serve their neighbors. This mechanism is the
MORE Neighborhood College. It energizes the system by helping neighbors
more fully realize their potential and builds their confidence to assume
roles as leaders. The Neighborhood College also provides direct services
through class participation and outreach.
Most of the classes are taught by Resident
Trainers, qualified neighbors. For each 40-hour course, 20 hours are
spent sharing information within the community.
The College is overseen by a monitoring
committee which is
composed of
professionals and neighbors. Graduates receive an award upon completion of
the course to help reimburse travel and child care expenses, and to serve
as an educational incentive.
Twenty-two courses were offered with
2,310 graduations during 1999. The annual graduation ceremony welcomed
over 60 guests with 25 neighbors recognized for completing ten or more
courses.
