Spring Break
Community center approved for Prospect Terrace public housing development
by Holly Leighton
News | 11/20/07
Posted online at 9:46 PM EST on 11/19/07
/ Last updated at 2:29 AM EST on 11/19/07
"We're aiming to have computer access, tutoring, after-school programs available to children," Hannan said. "The center will morph around whatever the community needs."
"The general need is a safe place for children to go after school and on the weekends," Auslander said. "Also there is an outlet for educational enrichment for both the kids and the adults, and there is a deep longing for social connectivity in the community."
Hannah Chalew '09, who is involved with CEL as a community engaged fellow, said she worked with children of the community for three days to create the mural.
"We met the kids on Friday, and they all seemed so excited and ready to share their ideas and work with us," she said during an interview. On Saturday and Sunday Chalew and the students primed and painted the wall.
"It was a challenge to put all the ideas into one big image, but it was a lot of fun," Chalew said. "I think that it's important that we continue involvement, because it adds another dimension to our education and theirs."
"I have lived here for five years," said Marie Paul, a tenant who moved her family from a shelter to Prospect Terrace. "I think it's about time that an opportunity like this has occurred."
Paul has two daughters who still live with her in Prospect. "The kids won't have to walk to the library. They can stay here and parents can better supervise," Paul said.
"Kids in the community are really excited," said Izamonique Edouard, Paul's 11-year-old daughter. "I think it's a fantastic idea. We can play games and get help with our homework."
Tenants, students and faculty alike expressed this same enthusiasm, which is helping plans for the center come together.
"I have so many ideas that are becoming realities," said Goldin, who teaches some courses with CEL in mind, including "Greening the Ivory Tower," a class that invites students to lead environmental projects at Brandeis and in the surrounding community. Goldin said she just got approval to hang large canvases on which the children will paint natural scenes, and the class was just allotted a large space that will hopefully become a sustainable garden for the entire community.
Auslander said he hopes this success for the tenants will mean they will begin to advocate for themselves on important issues.
"I was praying for changes all the time," Paul said. "Now this is my prayers about to come true. The center is something for a lifetime."
"The general need is a safe place for children to go after school and on the weekends," Auslander said. "Also there is an outlet for educational enrichment for both the kids and the adults, and there is a deep longing for social connectivity in the community."
Hannah Chalew '09, who is involved with CEL as a community engaged fellow, said she worked with children of the community for three days to create the mural.
"We met the kids on Friday, and they all seemed so excited and ready to share their ideas and work with us," she said during an interview. On Saturday and Sunday Chalew and the students primed and painted the wall.
"It was a challenge to put all the ideas into one big image, but it was a lot of fun," Chalew said. "I think that it's important that we continue involvement, because it adds another dimension to our education and theirs."
"I have lived here for five years," said Marie Paul, a tenant who moved her family from a shelter to Prospect Terrace. "I think it's about time that an opportunity like this has occurred."
Paul has two daughters who still live with her in Prospect. "The kids won't have to walk to the library. They can stay here and parents can better supervise," Paul said.
"Kids in the community are really excited," said Izamonique Edouard, Paul's 11-year-old daughter. "I think it's a fantastic idea. We can play games and get help with our homework."
Tenants, students and faculty alike expressed this same enthusiasm, which is helping plans for the center come together.
"I have so many ideas that are becoming realities," said Goldin, who teaches some courses with CEL in mind, including "Greening the Ivory Tower," a class that invites students to lead environmental projects at Brandeis and in the surrounding community. Goldin said she just got approval to hang large canvases on which the children will paint natural scenes, and the class was just allotted a large space that will hopefully become a sustainable garden for the entire community.
Auslander said he hopes this success for the tenants will mean they will begin to advocate for themselves on important issues.
"I was praying for changes all the time," Paul said. "Now this is my prayers about to come true. The center is something for a lifetime."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mark Auslander
posted 11/20/07 @ 5:18 AM EST
I'm pleased that The Justice has written an article about this important development at Prospect Hill Terrace. But it is very disappointing to see that Professor Ellen Schattschneider and her class Anthropology of Gender (Anth 144) are not credited. (Continued…)
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