Fall 2003
Table of Contents
SUSE’S 112 th Commencement, 2003
Future Science Educators Benefit From
Professor Hurd's Legacy
Coming in May 2004 Benefit Celebration for SUSE
"Cosby on Campus: Celebrating Teachers!”
Alumni Resources


SUSE HOME PAGE





The Center’s namesake and inspiration, John W. Gardner, was one of America’s greatest twentieth century visionaries who spent much of his life studying leadership and community. While perhaps best known as the founder of Common Cause, he also served as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in the Johnson administration; was president of the Carnegie Foundation; and during his later years was a consulting professor at Stanford University’s School of Education (SUSE).

According to Cheryl Zando, director of the Center, “Gardner held a strong belief in the potential of individuals, their institutions, and society as a whole, and the optimism to think in possibilities rather than obstacles.The Gardner Center was founded on this vision and works from it. It supports community action, bridges research and practice, and shares what works with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.” Zando added that the Center works with community partners to build communities that work for youth and to develop young people who will serve as their current and future leaders.

In addition to the YELL project (see feature article), the Gardner Center collaborates on several other initiatives. One is a partnership with the Redwood City and San Mateo County Mid-Coast communities to create “community schools” that promote student success.“Community schools” are K-12 public schools that combine the rigorous academics of a quality school with a wide range of vital in-house services, supports and opportunities to promote children’s learning and development. Supports and services include medical and mental health services and before and after school and weekend activities, such as sports and computer clubs.

The Gardner Center will work with its community partners over a three-year period to develop and begin to implement strategic action plans that incorporate shared leadership, comprehensive youth and family services, academic supports and youth engagement.

The Gardner Center also bridges research and practice by supporting community-based apprenticeships on youth development issues for students across the university and helping communities utilize their findings. Most are linked to research projects developed by Stanford faculty in close collaboration with community partners.The Center develops new courses on topics related to community youth development and also sponsors seminars and workshops, such as the recent symposium focused on strategies to engage young people in the civic health of their communities, including community service and advocacy.

To benefit the broader field of youth development, the Center also shares knowledge of what works on a national level and makes its publications available free-of-charge.Two issue briefs have been published related to the YELL project, including “Creating Community Change: Challenges and Tensions in Community Youth Research” and “Youth Empowerment:The Contributions and Challenges of Youth-Led Research in a High-Poverty, Urban Community.” Additional information about Center programs is available at its website, http://gardnercenter.stanford.edu.