Project SHINE is a national service-learning initiative that builds partnerships among community colleges, universities and community-based organizations to benefit older immigrants, refugees and college students.

Project SHINE links college students with older immigrants and refugees seeking to learn English and navigate the complex path to U.S. citizenship. In community centers, temples, churches, senior housing, and classrooms, students tutor elders in English, helping them become more actively engaged in their communities and teaching the U.S. history and civics needed to pass the citizenship exam.

Project SHINE is coordinated through the Center for Intergenerational Learning at Temple University and is currently being replicated at 18 institutions of higher education in 9 cities across the United States, including Emory and Georgia Perimeter College in the greater Atlanta area. Since 1997, over 3000 college students have provided more than 60,000 hours of service to 9000 older immigrants and refugees across the country.

At Emory, Project SHINE is a collaborative effort being facilitated by the Office of University-Community Partnerships, the Emory College Language Center, and the International Community Connections program of the Institute for Comparative and International Studies.

In Atlanta, Project SHINE was officially launched on October 1, 2004. More specific information regarding volunteer and service learning opportunities is available on the www.projectshineatlanta.org website. (see below)

If you are interested in learning more about Project SHINE or would like to sign up now for opportunities with Project SHINE, please visit our website www.projectshineatlanta.org for further details.