Community Projects

The Community Projects committee of YUFA (YUFA-CP) supports social justice work in the communities within and surrounding York University through funding new community projects and supporting ongoing programs, in addition to other means.

If you would like to learn more, please visit our website:

YUFA-CP WEBSITE

Remit & process

The Community Projects Committee (YUFA-CP) is a standing committee of the YUFA Executive. Its mandate is to facilitate YUFA’s work with community groups to promote engaged citizenship through access and equity programs, and to undertake community-based research. Priority is given to initiatives focused on improving access, opportunities, and outcomes for groups currently underrepresented in post-secondary education.

In light of the increasing popularity of community partnerships in university mission statements, YUFA-CP is distinct in its emphasis on a democratic model of engagement in both process and practice. That the YUFA-CP’s work is guided by a commitment social justice unionism and the shared development of knowledge is especially significant.

Our process includes regular monthly meetings where ongoing projects are reviewed and new initiatives considered. YUFA members who represent the different constituents of YUFA, and who have both a strong interest in community-based equity initiatives and the time and energy to actively participate in YUFA-CP work, are particularly encouraged to join.

To fulfil its mandate, the Committee builds on community networks and the feedback those networks provide. YUFA-CP has both an integrative and facilitator function:

to support and coordinate existing faculty-community projects
to contribute to the design and implementation of new projects

To date, one of the primary objectives of the YUFA-CP has been to collaborate with the Jane-Finch community on initiatives that enrich the educational experiences and outcomes of neighbourhood kids and young adults. Projects have ranged from funding scholarships and bursaries, to running summer programs, to providing ways for high school students to earn enhanced educational credits, to organizing workshops.

Reports & resources

Co-Chairs

Raymond Mar: Psychology, Health
Molade Osibodu: Education

Members

Natalia Balyasnikova: Education
Norda Bell: Libraries, Student Learning & Academic Success Department
Lorna Erwin: Sociology, LAPS
Jenny Foster: Environmental and Urban Change
Estee Fresco: Communications Studies, LAPS
Valini Geer: School of Nursing, Health
Kalina Grewal: Libraries
Amy Hillis: Helen Carswell Chair in Community-Engaged Research in the Arts, AMPD
Luin Goldring: Sociology, LAPS
Carl James: York Centre for Education and Community (YCEC)
Jude Dzevela Kong: Mathematics & Statistics, Science
Taien Ng-Chan: Cinema & Media Arts, AMPD
Joel Ong: Computational Arts, AMPD
Gillian Parekh: Education
Vidya Shah: Education
Jessica Vorstermans: Health Policy & Management, Health
Wendy Wong: Design, AMPD

Contact

Community Projects welcomes new members. For more information, or to get involved, please email [email protected].