ICAR Applied Practice and Theory
Applied Practice and Theory (APT) teams are made up of small groups of M.S. and Ph.D. students who are interested in gaining practical intervention skills. These teams cover wide ground. Some groups focus on an international project which can be as varied as working within the Bosnian educational system or studying identity formation among Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, while other groups choose to focus on domestic issues ranging from education, girls and gangs, to training federal employees about conflict resolution.
APT allows advanced students the opportunity to analyze a conflict and perform a team designed intervention. Each team works closely with a faculty advisor who serves as a springboard for ideas and offers extensive practice experience from which the teams can learn.
The Training for Transformation APT, advised by Dr. Wallace Warfield, is made up of four M.S. students: Erin Feeley, Lindsay Jones, Jenny Lock and David Middlebrooks. Academic interests include reconciliation, restorative justice, conflict prevention and structural violence.
The team began meeting last summer to brainstorm possible intervention ideas and begin their conflict analysis. A group interest in neighborhood change and extensive research into communities within Washington, D.C., as well as interviews with various individuals and nonprofits working in those areas, led the group to choose the Brook land Edge wood area of the city. Located in Northeast D.C., Brook land Edge wood is a diverse and active community. After a comprehensive search an organization which "creates and preserves financially sound, socially responsible affordable housing for low- and moderate income individuals and families and, in cooperation with residents, develops programs that strengthen communities and increase opportunities for growth".
The Training for Transformation APT has created a conflict resolution curriculum which will be implemented with residents of varying ages at CPDC's Edgewood Terrace community. The curriculum was written jointly by all members of the team and covers a variety of topics including an introduction to conflict resolution skills, reconciliation, restorative justice, conflict prevention and structural violence. The program will culminate in a participant designed and facilitated community intervention within the Edgewood Terrace community.
Recognizing this as a great volunteer opportunity for ICAR students of all interests, it is the team's hope that this partnership with CPDC will continue into the future. For more information, contact Jenny Lock.