Introduction - Danz Elementary - Living Abroad

Hello everyone! My name is Ellen and I am part of ART 150: Multicultural America. 

I recently finished my Service Learning Requirements in the U.S. before I set off to stay with family abroad for the rest of the semester. In the U.S., I spent my time volunteering at a school called "Danz", which was an elementary school located in my hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin. There I worked with kids in an after school program called "Academic Success". It's a program that is part of the Boy's and Girl's Club. (Danz is just one of the many locations that programs like this is offered through the Club.) 

Although most of the students I had actually came from Danz, kids that don't attend the school can also participate. The program is aimed to help students successfully get through school by working on homework, literacy, math, and computer skills.

Danz Elementary School, Green Bay, WI.

"All young people, regardless of background or circumstances, should be equipped to reach their full potential"-Boys and Girls Club

This program is especially important in my area because many of the students lack the resources and support to successfully get through school. It is amazing the difference that just a couple hours after school of homework, tutoring, and fun can change a student’s outlook on school.

Some interesting demographics about Danz that contribute to my emphasis on the importance of this program:

This school is a Spanish Immersion school, meaning that every other day is taught in Spanish. Most of the student body is Hispanic. In fact, Hispanic students make up 68.8%, 15.3% are White not Hispanic, 8.6% are Black not Hispanic, 6.3% are Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1.0% are American Indian or Alaska Native.

Out if this student body, 59.1% are “Limited English Proficient” and 89.8% are Economically Disadvantaged.

Taking into consideration that the majority of the kids participating in the program come directly from Danz, these demographics from the School’s most recent Report Card available (2013-2014) are generally transferable as demographics of the kids participating in the program. Once again, for this reason, this program is crucial for my community to have and plays a significant role in shaping these kids lives.

Why am I abroad and why does that have anything to do with this course?

I am currently living with family in Turin, Italy as of February 17^th. Although I finished my Service Learning Requirements in the U.S., I wanted to continue volunteering in a similar setting while I living abroad. I have family here that offered me the opportunity to stay with them for the semester, and that is definitely a chance I would never pass up! I think volunteering in a similar setting will give me an interesting perspective to compare and contrast with the volunteer work I’ve done in the U.S already (Danz). I’m excited to learn about the differences that each place holds concerning issues of race and diversity, and other relations to this course.