Loyola University Students Help At-risk New Orleans Children

Loyola University New Orleans has partnered with the North Rampart Community Center (NRCC) through its service learning program, placing college students there to help mentor, tutor and listen to the kids. The center has provided a nurturing, safe haven for inner-city New Orleans children for more than 100 years.

Loyola students help with homework, coach youth basketball teams, lead music and arts activities, and give computer tutoring to children.

While the children benefit from the interaction, the students also get valuable takeaways. Kelly Brotzman, director of Loyola’s Office of Service Learning, said students gain a better understanding of social justice by serving organizations such as NRCC. “They also learn concrete skills like leadership, listening, teamwork and problem solving.”

Service learning staff work with Loyola faculty members to implement real-life, community-based learning experiences in their classrooms. The goal of the program is to bring education to life by connecting classroom learning to community needs. [Loyola University New Orleans]