Social work in the United States

Presentation of the program
One World Center voluntary programs have been developed over 20 years to equip participants with the necessary skillset to have an impact on the world. The programs allow for participants to join the community at OWC’s campus in Michigan and learn from thought leaders and development experts about global development challenges.
You are invited to take part in a program of 6 months.

Two teams start the year of 2022: May and November.
Three teams start the year of 2023: March, July and November.

It is a combination of training activities in One World Centre and practical work in one of the NGOs in Michigan. A part of the voluntary term will be working in the community garden and farm of OWC.

Structure of the program:

Period 1- Training
The first part is the training period based at the Michigan campus. You and their team will learn the practical skills needed for the project work in communities along with a theoretical training to enhance a knowledge base. You will learn a broad variety of topics connected with the situation in the world today: the living conditions in poor communities and the struggle of food insecurity.
The focus of the courses during this period will be on learning: Fighting with The Poor; Big Issues of Our Time; Lifestyle Sustainability; Learn to Work, Work to Learn; and Mastering the Material World.
Schedule:
The day starts with breakfast at 7.30 followed by a morning class about important issues like global warming and climate change, poverty in the world and more. Everybody has a cleaning action at 9 am and then the program follows in each team, different from week to week. Lunch is at 1pm, again followed by team activities. After that, sports for an hour at 5pm followed by dinner at 6 pm. There are evening programs from 7pm with studies, documentaries, movies, talent show and more. Saturday is a practical day with GAIA actions with production of food and work in the farm as well as doing some maintenance tasks.
Part of the practical training of this period takes place in One World Center’s Farm. You will learn about growing and harvesting organic food first-hand. Additionally, you will participate in outreach activities in the local area with organizations connected with poverty and food insecurity. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the world we live in, with specific emphasis on the USA.

Period 2 – Project work
The second part- During 3 months, you will be living in a town (in a poor community in Michigan) and cooperate with local NGOs and social initiatives, with which the organization has worked with for several years. You will be in trios, collaborating with the leaders who have chosen to support and work with poor people who have a daily struggle getting ends to meet.
Examples of social engagement:
Making community gardens, taking part in after school programs, working with empowerment of women and much more.
You will experience how to work with different communities in the USA and get an understanding of the power of diversity in the society.

Period 3 - Conclusion
The third part-1 Month will be about evaluation and dissemination of project results. You will train presentation skills, basically evaluate on what has been learned and publish the knowledge by making movies, articles, organizing events and holding workshops. Each team of volunteers will have a tutor from OWC to help organize and realize the follow-up and dissemination of results.