Service-Learning
Service-learning is at the heart of Beans and Rice's ability to provide community programs with limited funds. During the fall 2003 semester, for example, 102 students participated in our Service-Learning Program. Using the Independent Sector's formula for calculating in-kind contributions, service-learners made an approximate $53,550 contribution in staff time.

We are a placement for students at Radford University and Virginia Tech. Currently, Beans and Rice, Inc. is working with students in three education and courses one Sociology class at Radford University. Additionally, Virginia Tech students enrolled in a Leadership seminar are enrolled in the Service-Learning Program.

As community partners Beans and Rice staff are proactive in approaching faculty to include service-learning in their classes and to place their students in our programs. Staff meet with faculty, do presentations in classes, and engage in follow-up sessions with faculty members. Part of Beans and Rice's proactive stance comes from the service-learning experiences provided in classes taught by Nelda Pearson and the service-learning experiences of staff while students.

The service-learning that created Beans and Rice are two types: ongoing service as part of an academic course and curriculum based alternative break. Both types of service-learning foster dedication to service and develop proactive citizens of students. Students in Nelda Pearson's classes have done alternative breaks with Ivanhoe Civic League, Westmoreland Housing Organization, Hurley Community Development, New River Community Action in Floyd County, and Giles County Development and Housing Authority.

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