What Was the Last Community Ed. Class You Took? Are You Signed Up Again?

When I asked the online forum at my local newspaper why more people don't sign up for community education courses at the university in town, I felt their collective virtual shrug. Some admitted that they never think of it. Almost every community across the nation offers some kind of continuing education, and many are supported by grants that make lifelong learning easy and affordable.

For example, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported yesterday that new grants are allowing Terri Thorn, director of the Arc of San Diego's Starlight Center in Chula Vista, to provide art classes to seniors. Through a program called "Jump Start the Conversation," workshops were held in six regions across the U.S.

Participants in each workshop discussed improving life for seniors. In San Diego County, the focus was “Lifelong Learning,” said Irene Garnett, chief operating officer for Partners for Livable Communities.

“We go into communities, ask what topics interest them, what needs they have, and start the initial conversation,” Garnett said. “The idea after the workshop is, 'OK, we stimulated conversation, now we want to help you take action on that theme.'”

Organizations securing a grant received a small amount of money to explore their idea, Garnett said. The hope is that the money acts as a catalyst for future projects and creates ways for seniors to continue to learn, whether it's through a speaker series at a library or a language class.

A similar kind of initiative could be at work in your community. If someone asked you today if you've signed up for a community ed. class, would you shrug or say, "Yes! I'm learning to..."

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