PGP MA Co-Curricular Program with Boston University
Petey Greene Program Massachusetts (PGP) partners with Boston University (BU) to offer a co-curricular model of volunteerism at the Suffolk County Jail I Can Academy. A co-curricular model incorporates what is traditionally an extracurricular activity into a service-learning opportunity. Participants enrolled in BU’s Political Science Department course, Race and Politics of Criminal Justice, conduct a critical exploration of the criminal legal system, including the intersection of race and criminal justice policy. BU students tutoring with the Petey Greene Program write weekly reflection papers integrating course readings with their volunteer experience, and share their tutoring observations and experience during class.
In the Fall 2020 semester, 12 volunteers supported small groups of students enrolled in GED classes at the Suffolk County Jail I Can Academy. Given social distancing restrictions, volunteers and students met via Zoom weekly for 90-minute tutoring sessions, where they worked through material, reviewed practice exams, and discussed both short- and long-term educational goals.
In addition to academic gains by students, volunteers shared how much they learned from the experience. One tutor shared that participating in the BU/PGP co-curricular program taught her to “think contextually, attack my own biases, and see that we’re all people who deserve education, compassion, and humanity.” All 12 volunteers extended their volunteer commitment through the spring 2021 semester.
PGP and BU are planning to expand the program in the future.
“The Petey Greene Program has contributed immensely to co-creating a milieu conducive to learning and personal transformation. The tutors were instrumental and very patient as we navigated our first HiSET/GED preparation course.The organization has a resolute disposition to empower my students to unearth the best versions of themselves as they work towards their academic pursuits.”