Extension System Engaging Communities Through SPACE

Students teaching students to make a difference

						 
Normal, AL, April 20, 2004---More than 700 high school and post secondary students will be recognized 
April 26 for their many hours of volunteer service at the 12th Annual Service-Learning Awards Program at 
Alabama A&M University. 
	
The event honors students participating in the Students Promoting Action/Community Education (SPACE) 
program, which is managed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Children Youth and Family 
Specialist Mary Hurt. 
	
All service-learning activities at Alabama A&M fall under the umbrella of SPACE, an outreach program 
that recruits student volunteers from various educational disciplines at senior high and post-secondary 
schools. 
		
SPACE students volunteer their time and serve as mentors, tutors and role models. They also help 
improve the quality of life for communities at large in Alabama, “ Hurt said. 
	
Extension’s SPACE program has formed partnerships and networking bases with more than 60 
community-based organizations including public schools, youth development centers, hospitals, 
churches, health and dental care facilities, and other community-based organizations. Since its inception 
in 1991 more than 1,773 student volunteers have received training and generated at least 17,796 
volunteer hours and more than 51,895 client contacts throughout northern and central Alabama.
       
Service learning is a growing phenomenon in the United States. In the last 20 years, millions of students 
have participated in service-learning projects that benefit their communities in which they live. This trend 
demonstrates the idea that educational institutions have a responsibility to render service to communities, 
bring about positive changes and improve the quality of life for all Americans.  
	
“The Service-Learning Network provides an opportunity for educational institutions, students, and 
organizations to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships. The overall result is stronger communities 
and ultimately, a stronger nation, where learning becomes a lifelong experience,” said Dr. Virginia Caples, 
provost and vice president for academic affairs at Alabama A&M.
The award program will be held at 6 p.m. at Alabama A&M’s Ernest Knight Center.  Alabama State 
Senator Jeff Enfinger, who contributed $2,500 to SPACE last year, is the keynote speaker. 
	
SPACE has received assistance from many individuals including site manager Eunice Tibbs; Extension 
specialists Edna Coleman and Rosalie Lane; Madison County Ccommissioner Dr. Prince Preyer, Jr.; 
Earnest Starks, director of the Coalition on At-Risk Minority Males; and Vista worker Krystal Gueary in 
Huntsville; and from AAMU faculty and staff such as Dr. Karen Foster, Dr. Jerome Roberts, Dr. Olivia 
Sanders, Dr. Oscar Montgomery, Dr. Jerry Shipman, Dr. Mattie Thomas, Ollye Conley, Mary Morris-
Billings, Betty Thompson, Joseph Lee, and Dr. James Shuford.
	
For more information about the Service-Learning Network, please contact Extension Specialist Mary W. 
Hurt at (256) 372-4981.

SOURCE;   Mary W. Hurt, Children, Youth and Family Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension 
System, (256) 372-4981