Gordon in the News: last updated 10/20/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Cyndi McMahon
Office of College Communications
978.867.4236
WENHAM, MA - Girls Incorporated (Girls Inc.) of Lynn recently honored Gordon College with a Community Partnership Award to thank Gordon, its students and faculty, and the Gordon-in-Lynn program for its dedication and service to the community.
"Gordon College and the Gordon-in-Lynn Program has provided our organization with volunteers, tutors, assisted our teen and middle school programs, organized and led the Girls Incorporated Chorus, implemented a Black History celebration, as well as conducted sociology research, surveys, literary reviews and detailed reports on teenage key influence factors, says Pat Driscoll, Executive Director at Girls Inc. "The students from Gordon College have been a tremendous resource for our girls and teen women."
The College's work with Girls Incorporated is part of its Gordon-in-Lynn program that involves students as volunteers to support community service organizations already working in the city. "We are deeply honored to receive this award," said R. Judson Carlberg, president of Gordon College. "We are also grateful to our partners in Lynn who provide these service-learning opportunities. Since its inception two years ago, Gordon students have completed 13,982 recorded hours of service-learning in the Lynn community."
A key highlight from the ceremony was the recognition of the direct impact Gordon College is having on the city. "Dr. Judith Oleson, associate professor of social work at Gordon College, utilized her Research Methods class to help us with a major organization relocation project," Driscoll told the crowd of over 75 guests and attendees. "As a small agency we were thankful for the additional support. Their research helped us develop a programmatic plan for our new space." Dr. Oleson and the students researched urban youth needs for girls in the city, including months of analysis on factors that influence involvement in Girls Inc. Their research included surveying female students in three grades at the Ford School and interviews (in both English and Spanish) with parents. The research provided both quantitative and qualitative data. "The Gordon-in-Lynn program helped facilitate the learning opportunities for my classes," said Oleson. "As a result, the social work and sociology students were able to experience a course incorporating applied research-a unique experience at the undergraduate level."
Girls Incorporated of Lynn has been operating programs and advocating for girls since 1942. For over 60 years, the organization has responded to the changing needs of girls and their communities by providing essential resources and programs to at risk, low-income girls and their families. Last year Girls Inc. served 2,132 young people, ages 6-18, in various programs at the center, in schools and in the community.
Gordon-in-Lynn is a community partnership intended to connect Gordon College students with service organizations and neighborhood agencies in the city. The students form mutually beneficial partnerships to address current community needs. Community partners include: Boys and Girls Club, Bridgewell, Community Minority Cultural Center, East Coast International Church, Food Project, Ford Elementary School, Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., International Rescue Committee, Lynn Community Connections, Lynn Community Health Center, Lynn Economic Opportunity, Lynn Housing Authority, Operation Bootstrap, New American Center, North Shore Community College, St. Joseph's La Vida, Y.E.S., and the Educational Opportunity Center-Talent Search. The Gordon-in-Lynn program is located at 120 Munroe Street in downtown Lynn.
For information on this award and the Gordon-in-Lynn program, contact the Office of College Communications at 978.867.4236.
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Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 36 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.
