William Simon Foundation Community Grant

The Sociology & Urban Studies Department has received a second-year renewal of its William E. Simon Foundation Community Partnership Grant. In the initial year we worked with five community service agencies in Jersey City to increase their effectiveness in carrying out their missions. Each organization was paired with a college class, faculty and students.

Fairmount Housing Corporation
Watch Video	Helping to Create Affordable Housing in Jersey City; Working Together at Fairmount Housing Corporation Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Jim Fontanilla, Robin Freels, Daniel Garza, Savannah Gonzalez, Tiffany May, Carlos Navas, Dominic Sims FACULTY: Professor Donal Malone, Sociology/Urban Studies Department

Head Start
Watch Video	Head Start Self-Study Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Harold Aguas, Boryana Dimitrova, Michael Bruno, Jim Fontanilla, Dianna Gomez, Savannah Gonzalez, Daisy Guasch, Joseph Long, Jonathan Pimentel FACULTY: Professor Joyce Henson, Business Administration Department and Professor Alex Trillo, Sociology/Urban Studies Department
	Examining Social Issues: Parents & Education; Safety Net for the Poor; Impact of Government Cutbacks on the Unemployed Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Romaine Greer, Camia Murdaugh, Carol Tyler, Rhonda Wiggins, Celsie Williams FACULTY: Dolores Perry - Jersey City Child Development Centers - Head Start

Learning Community Charter School
Watch Video	After School Programs: I Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Janice Davis, Tamel Hunt, Kristina Micu, Nyesha Stiles FACULTY: Professor Donal Malone, Sociology/Urban Studies Department
	After School Programs: II Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Jim Fontanilla, Dianna Gomez, Savannah Gonzalez, Cecilia Peraza, Julie Anne Saporito, Glenny Tanchez FACULTY: Professor Alex Trillo, Sociology/Urban Studies Department

New City Kids After-School Program
Watch Video	Leaders of Tomorrow Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Rachel Goodstein, Susan Mascolo, Marie Mesidor, Angelique Rios, Edward Ryan FACULTY: Professor Jennifer Ayala, Education Department

York Street Homeless Family Shelter
Watch Video	Social Service Database Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Megan Halma; Frank Holder; Maryam Javadi; Joe Long; Esther Lee; Tina Laoudis; Gloria Padilla; Mailen Palacios; Michail Pintchiouk; Sherry Ramdial; Richard Roman; Glenny Tanchez; Yahaira Villafane FACULTY: Professor Alex Trillo, Sociology/Urban Studies Department
	The Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Read Research Report RESEARCH TEAM: Samantha Chrapkowski, Mailen Palacios, Yaihaira Villafane, Tim Sacerdote FACULTY: Professor Alex Trillo, Sociology/Urban Studies Department

Specifically the goals of the project in the first-year were to work in partnership with these organizations to do the following:

Develop a comprehensive needs assessment, by researching and assessing their practices based on other such agencies that have faced similar challenges.
Cooperatively develop an action plan for each target agency to successfully address its challenges or weaknesses.
Provide agencies with technical tools and/or training to work on their areas of need which will enhance self-sufficiency and sustainability
Assist in institutionalizing improvements needed based on needs assessment
Increase the capabilities, self-sufficiency and growth of these organization
Fulfill educational goals of Saint Peter’s faculty in terms of incorporating community based activities in the curriculum.
Foster within students the Jesuit ideal of service to community.
Train and engage students in community awareness and in developing solutions to community needs.
Learn from these agencies how to better prepare Saint Peter’s faculty and students for future community efforts.

College and Community Conference

The first year was highlighted by a day long conference on May 5, 2006, entitled College & Community: Building Bridges for a Better Jersey City. Part II of the conference will be held on April 26, 2007.

The second year of funding will allow expansion of these activities to seven sites.