We believe that through engaged service, students and communities can be transformed.
Our Mission
The Civic Fellows Program at George Mason University is a one-year engaged service program. The Civic Fellows program pairs students with community-based organizations to support community led programs and services. Students build relationships with community partners and get real world learning experiences, all while participating in training and workshops that will deepen their understanding of social justice, equity and antiracism. Civic Fellows believe that through social justice, communities can be transformed so that all people have access to the resources they need to thrive. All Civic Fellows commit to eight or more hours of service per week through this partnership and up to two hours of personal, professional and/or leadership training bi-weekly with other students in the program. Through this critical service opportunity, each Civic Fellow will be able to better understand issues in the community, social responsibility and their commitment and connection to change.
Overview
Using our three-level framework over the academic year, Civic Fellows will work to deepen and develop their understanding and critical thinking around community service, social justice, equity, and antiracism in the Fairfax community-at-large and the D.C. Metro community.
Our three-level framework:
Level 1
Understanding myself
Understanding Community Engagement
Why we do this work?
Approaches to community engagement that reduces harm
Level 2
Understanding Racism
Social Inequity
Root Causes
Ways to make change
Level 3
Thematic understanding of Community Placements
How do (our) organizations make change?
Learning Outcomes
Our learning outcomes are that Civic Fellows understand principles of anti-racism and how it relates to community engagement, and that they can name and identify root causes of injustice with the service partnership in mind.