What is the UConn People Empowering People Communities Program?
UConn Extension People Empowering People (PEP) Communities is a personal, family, and civic leadership development program with a strong community focus. It is designed to focus on the unique strengths and life experiences of participants and emphasizes the connection between individual and community action. Classes are intentionally small and limited to 7 to 10 participants per facilitator.
Mission
People work together to make their community a better place for themselves and their children.
Program Goals
- Greater understanding of their personal strengths
- Significantly increase their communication skills
- Significantly increase their understanding of and involvement in the community
Program Objectives
By the end of their participation in UConn PEP Communities, participants will be able to:
- State their personal values or what’s important to them
- State personal changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills and aspirations
- Use “I” statements to express thoughts, feelings and ideas
- Express their opinions when others disagree
- Use one or more strategies to prevent children’s misbehavior
- Know what to do to make the community a better place
- Work as a group to complete one or more projects
- Volunteer or assume a new leadership position.
Who conducts UConn Extension People Empowering People (PEP)?
The facilitator is an agency staff member or volunteer. She/he attends two days of facilitator training or the online UConn Extension PEP Facilitator Training and receives the UConn PEP Communities facilitator manual. The facilitator conducts the ten sessions followed by at least 4 more project planning sessions and supports the participants in their community projects, hosts the graduation and follow up alumni activities. The UConn Extension People Empowering People Communities program is offered in English and Spanish.
PEP Communities Program Curriculum
15 Sessions 10 core curriculum sessions, 4 project sessions, graduation, and alumni meetings
10 Two-hour Class Sessions:
Session 1 – Values, Power and Goal Setting
Session 2 – Empowerment, Verbal and Non-Verbal Communications
Session 3 – Active Listening
Session 4 – Problem Solving
Session 5 – Learning How to Support our Community (Guest Speaker/s)
Session 6 – Understanding Ourselves and Others as Parents
Session 7 – Understanding Our Children (Child Development)
Session 8 – Our Community and Its Leaders
Session 9 – Action Planning
Session 10 – Learning About How to Make Our Community a Better Place (Guest Speaker/s)
Activities, discussions, personal reflections, and journaling all help participants process the information from the curriculum based on their individual learning styles and their own life journeys. Participants learn skills, build connections, and share powerful stories. This provides motivation for action and change based on their experiences, their passion, and their goals.
4 Additional Sessions for Projects
Each participant completes an individual or group project. Projects are based on the goals, passions, interests of the participants and time constraints. Staff members provide support for projects during four additional class sessions. Additional support can be provided, beyond the four weeks if staff time is available.
Graduation
There is a graduation ceremony for participants upon completion of People Empowering People sessions and projects. Attendance is required for at least 8 of the 10 content sessions to graduate.
The ceremony includes speakers and highlights of their program, and presentation of UConn People Empowering People (PEP) Communities Certificates to the participants.
Alumni Meetings
Alumni meetings keep parent leaders informed and involved in the community so they can continue their leadership journey. This is a vital component of the program and is highly encouraged.