"We are hoping that GWU will fully fund our program in the future," she said.
Karen W. Archer, who graduated from the college in 2003, created the Friends of Petworth, a neighborhood advocacy group for the neighborhood west of Catholic University after completing the program. Archer, who is president of the group, said she has helped organize some community amenities with the Petworth Recreation Center, including a new playground and renovations to the center.
A member of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for her district and a branch manager at the D.C. Superior Court's Criminal Information Center, Archer said she wanted to attend the college in order to give more to her community.
"The reason I went into the D.C. Neighborhood College program was that I thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about the city and how the city operates," she said. "My main reason was so that I could serve the community."
Archer added that she suspects some participants use the program for career advancement instead of a community service tool. She said if she could change something it'd be to receive credit for all of the hours of class she took.
"I think that really with the amount of time that we've invested, I think we should be able to get college credits for it," she said.
Another graduate, Vanessa Ruffin, said the program really helped her and others become intimately familiar with the District. The full-time community advocate said she gained a lot of experience and training.
"I am always glad to receive and education," Ruffin said. "I think it was time well-spent, (and) there were a lot of people to learn from in the class."
Karen W. Archer, who graduated from the college in 2003, created the Friends of Petworth, a neighborhood advocacy group for the neighborhood west of Catholic University after completing the program. Archer, who is president of the group, said she has helped organize some community amenities with the Petworth Recreation Center, including a new playground and renovations to the center.
A member of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for her district and a branch manager at the D.C. Superior Court's Criminal Information Center, Archer said she wanted to attend the college in order to give more to her community.
"The reason I went into the D.C. Neighborhood College program was that I thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about the city and how the city operates," she said. "My main reason was so that I could serve the community."
Archer added that she suspects some participants use the program for career advancement instead of a community service tool. She said if she could change something it'd be to receive credit for all of the hours of class she took.
"I think that really with the amount of time that we've invested, I think we should be able to get college credits for it," she said.
Another graduate, Vanessa Ruffin, said the program really helped her and others become intimately familiar with the District. The full-time community advocate said she gained a lot of experience and training.
"I am always glad to receive and education," Ruffin said. "I think it was time well-spent, (and) there were a lot of people to learn from in the class."
