Community Learning Center

About

CLC Scone Class

ARCafe is a Community Learning Center and provides young islanders with experiential life-skills training. ARCafe CLC also offers all-ages community classes
and workshops related to food preparation and preservation, healthy lifestyles, and practical life-skills, such as self-presentation, entrepreneurship, and applied science
and mathematics.

An integral part of The ARC’s mission to build and strengthen our community, ARCafe Community Learning Center (CLC) connects people from all walks of island life through learning activities and food-related events. In general, the goal of CLC activities is to inspire participants, particularly young adults, to learn valuable life-skills, become
engaged community members, and to explore innovative ideas and business opportunities.

Strategies

CLC classes and activities seek to address several key problems that affect our community.

ARC staff work with many (mostly young) people who typically come to us believing the island offers little opportunity for growth or gainful employment. As an organization, The ARC sees opportunity everywhere. ARC staff and the Vinalhaven community have the opportunity to create sustainable island systems (food, energy, arts, culture, etc.) that meet the needs of island citizens.

The CLC addresses unawareness and disengagement by offering opportunities for people of all ages to connect, share ideas, and learn together, and by exploring and demonstrating new work possibilities.

Limited life-skills, such as sub-standard abilities in basic applied math, money management, and proper self-care are addressed through classes and activities on handling money wisely, tax basics, budgeting, and self-awareness.

Community health issues such as obesity and diabetes are addressed through events such as family and community meals, and through classes on nutritional principles,
cooking basics, food preservation, and food appreciation.

Outcomes

2011
Beginning in October 2011, offered two to three weekly classes and workshops related to food preparation and preservation, healthy lifestyles, and practical lifeskills,
such as self-presentation, entrepreneurship, and applied science and mathematics; open to all community members; average class size – four participants, ages 10 to 60+

Anticipated Outcomes 2012
Conduct a total of 56 twice-weekly classes, events, and activities (food preservation, money management, cooking, financial literacy, community meals, etc.) that connect community members of different generations and walks of life. CLC activities will serve 30 adults, 30 young adults, and 50 youth

Gauge CLC skill-building effectiveness through pre- and post- class rubrics to be completed by class participants