Fall 2020 prioritized racial justice, language access, education, isolation, and social innovation

“The pandemic has reminded us that no one is saved alone. What ties us to one another is what we commonly call solidarity. Solidarity is more than acts of generosity, important as they are; it is the call to embrace the reality that we are bound by bonds of reciprocity. On this solid foundation we can build a better, different, human future.” — Pope Francis, from the New York Times.

A global pandemic followed by a wave social protests offered a challenge, and an opportunity, to redefine and transform how we collaborate with communities. In Fall 2020, Duke Service-Learning focused its efforts on the “Opportunity of Now” and offered programming, strategies, and initiatives in the following areas:

Fall 2020 SLCE course collaborations focused on Durham organizations that were particularly hard hit by the pandemic. With reduced capacity and an increased need for ‘people power’ to meet project goals, students partnered with communities to enact strategies that prioritized racial justice work, education, language access, elders living in isolation, and local businesses.

See the Report