Learning Buddies Network: Indigenous Outreach Project
“As an aspiring social worker, the opportunity to work first-hand with an Indigenous community was an immensely beneficial experience in terms of helping me understand how to build and strengthen community connections, as well as applying what I’ve learned in university classes to tackle social issues affecting Indigenous peoples. In other words, putting knowledge into action!”
Christian was a recipient of the Centre for Community Engaged Learning’s Chapman and Innovation Grants in the 2022-23 school year.
Project Description
This project aimed to expand Learning Buddies Network’s (LBN) reading program to a remote Indigenous community in Bella Bella, BC. This was accomplished by remotely connecting high school and university mentors from the Lower Mainland to elementary-aged students from Bella Bella Community School. Mentoring sessions took place regularly during the summer and after school in the fall, over a span of six months.
Community Partner
Learning Buddies Network is a registered charity that provides free 1-on-1 mentoring to elementary-aged students performing below their grade level in reading or math. More information about the Learning Buddies Network can be found here.
Lessons Learned
Christian shares his reflections and learnings from starting and finishing a community-engaged project:
“I learned that the best learning comes from simply trying. As someone who has not executed a project of this magnitude before, I came into the project not knowing what to expect. However, the success of my project began with a simple idea. My first idea for the project came to mind on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the year before I applied for a CCEL grant.”
“I was reflecting on what the day meant for everyone involved, with the idea of bringing LBN’s mission and my passion for community work together. From my one idea, many other ideas have unexpectedly emerged over the course of the project, especially a visit to Bella Bella which has taught me a lot of lessons about Indigenous culture and will help me in my future career. Now that the project is complete and our long-term plans for our Indigenous programs have commenced, I look back at the experience fondly and look forward to what comes next!”
“As an aspiring social worker, the opportunity to work first-hand with an Indigenous community was an immensely beneficial experience in terms of helping me understand how to build and strengthen community connections, as well as applying what I’ve learned in university classes to tackle social issues affecting Indigenous peoples. In other words, putting knowledge into action!”
Project Outcomes
Christian shares the many successes which have emerged from connecting the Learning Buddies Network to the Bella Bella community:
“Our fall program with Bella Bella was met with positive feedback from parents. Sharon Wilson, our teacher liaison, site supervisor, and consultant, shared with the LBN team that parents have noticed an improvement in their child’s reading at home.”
“Based on the number of students for which LBN has data, 60% of students who participated in Bella Bella’s summer program improved in reading. 100% of buddies in the summer program rated the program at least a 4 out of 5, with ‘5’ being the highest score.”
“Our successful launch of the pilot program has allowed us to continue the online model of program delivery. Currently, a new term of reading and math programs with Bella Bella are underway!”
More information about Christian’s project outcomes can be found here.
Information about CCEL Grants
If you are a student interested in leading your own UBC CCEL project, you can learn more about the application process here. Year round advising for grant projects and applications are available via Zoom or in-person at our office on the UBC Vancouver office from Monday to Friday. For more information about year round advising, please email us at community.learning@ubc.ca to book an appointment.