The Washington, DC region reflects a paradox between power and poverty. The area boasts one of the most educated populations in the United States; yet the District of Columbia has the highest child poverty rate in the U.S.

There is no shortage of community and faith-based organizations capable of addressing the social and economic ills that affect many throughout this region. Yet, often quality and consistent service delivery rise and fall on the organization's leadership and organizational capacity.

 

The Institute for Public Service & Policy Development (I.P.S.) at the Nyack College, DC Campus is proud to sponsor these Community Development certificate programs to provide practical skills-based training for community and faith-based service providers, ministries and individuals desiring to serve their communities. The ultimate aim of these programs is to help those who serve others by enhancing their capacity to serve.

Whether you are a leader, staff or member of a non-profit organization, church, ministry, or just interested in learning how you can better serve in your community, I invite you to enroll in a program, a seminar, or just hang out at a network salon. You will find a community of people filled with faith, passion and a desire to serve others with excellence.

To learn more, contact us at 202-220-1300 or by emailing patricia.johnson@nyack.edu.

With Warm Regards,
Patricia R. Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Director of Community
Development Initiatives
Nyack College, DC Campus
 

 

Each course in the Community Development Certificate Program costs $250. Participants who enroll in 4 courses receive a $150 discount on the 4^th class. After completing 4 courses, participants receive a Community Development Certificate. 
For scheduling information regarding the courses, please contact Nyack College DC Campus at 202-220-1300 or dcoffice@nyack.edu.

 

Courses Include…

 

Through the prism of a community and faith-based approach, this course will explore community development from the perspective of effective models from the past, current and future models. With an emphasis on communities within the Washington metropolitan area, the course will examine the origins of community decay throughout Washington, DC area’s locales and evolving best practices for faith-based and community based practitioners working towards transforming under-resourced communities into thriving and sustainable communities. Issues of race, ethnicity and class will be explored as they relate to building sustainable community development models in the Washington, DC region.

 

 

This course will examine the importance and mechanics of developing adequate vision and mission statements. It will explore the general principles related to operating non-profit organizations, which include providing an understanding of non-profit organizing documents. Students will gain an understanding of the external environment for non-profits related to economic sustainability, understand how to do a SWOT Analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) and gain a better understanding of the roles of non-profit CEOs, Boards of Directors, and other leadership roles related to effective non-profit administration.

 

 

This course will provide students with an understanding of the role of fundraising in relation to non-profit management. Students will gain a better understanding of the nature of donors, including identifying who they are and why they give as well as best practices related to fundraising for non-profits. Also, students will gain an understanding of the principles for developing a diverse and sustainable donor base.

 

 

This course will provide the student with an understanding of the functions of agencies within the District of Columbia and the process for communicating with these agencies to accomplish specific goals. An overview of the DC City Council, Wards, Advisory Neighborhood Commission and services and expertise will also be examined. For students who do not live or have business with the District of Columbia, an overview of how to approach other localities, for the purpose of navigating the system to accomplish community development goals, will be explored.

 

 

As important as financial resources are to the successful growth of organizations, perhaps even more important to success are the human resources, specifically volunteers. This course will explore the best practices for developing motivated and engaged volunteers. Strategies for recruiting and retaining good volunteers will be examined as well as how to assist staff and volunteers to work together effectively.

 

 

This course will explore the rise of faith- and community-based organizations (FBO and CBO, respectively) as dispensers of essential services in today’s economy and the relationships between these organizations and public institutions. Discussion will include topics on charitable giving, philanthropic regulation, the role of foundations and social entrepreneurship. Students will examine the nexus between the non-profit, government and business sectors, with a focus on understanding organizational leverage.

 

 

The word empowerment is defined as "the giving of an ability; enablement or permission." This word as it relates to community development often infers a process of enabling those in underserved communities with the mindset and accompanying resources to move beyond their present circumstances into a more socially and economically productive set of circumstances. This class will focus on community development strategies based in real time that are working to "empower" young people and adults in low income urban communities move beyond the mental and physical barriers imposed by poverty.