University Community Links
The St. George Youth Center is one of the sites that make up the UC Links network, which is a collection of after-school programs that are based on partnerships between universities and communities. The UC Links program is founded on the principles of research, teaching, and service, and provides opportunities for undergraduates to engage in practicum courses with a strong civic engagement component. Through these courses, students have the chance to share the knowledge they have gained from their university studies with their community partners, while also learning from the students and parents they interact with. Additionally, faculty members play an important role in the UC Links program, teaching classes and overseeing programs designed to benefit K-12 students.
What do we do?
UCSB offers undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about critical pedagogy theory and educational ethnography techniques. These students work on-site to provide homework assistance and offer advice on the importance of completing high school and preparing for college. Since Fall 2015, the UC Links Project has been working with faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students to implement after-school activities focused on developing cognitive and problem-solving skills, and fostering interest in science content and careers.