Students Give Back to the Community s Aging Population through UC Service Learning Course

Beginning with spring 2015 semester, University of Cincinnati students enrolled in a service learning class will have the opportunity to receive college credit for helping provide transportation to the elderly.

Driving Community Connections is a pilot project between UC and the Independent Transportation Network (ITN) Greater Cincinnati. This project is the first of its kind in the United States. Supported by the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Board of Regents, the goal of the project is to link college students with Ohio’s elders. The course will provide students with the ability to engage with Ohio’s elders, learn about the aging process and meet a need in their local community.

“This is about community connections – not just connecting older adults with their destinations, but connecting generations to one another,” added Santa J. Ono, president of the University of Cincinnati. “We have partnered with ITN of Greater Cincinnati to not only provide older Ohioans with transportation options that allow them to stay engaged in their community and age in place, but also give students insight into aging issues and what their elders have to offer.” 

Students have the opportunity to get involved with Driving Community Connection through

ProPEL's

Service Learning program at UC. Service Learning is a specially designed learning experience at the University of Cincinnati in which students combine reflection with structured participation on community-based projects to achieve learning outcomes as part of an academic course or program. Students can register for SLCE-3000 - Driving Community Connection, an online course that offers individuals an opportunity to learn more about the aging process while earning college credit for driving older adults in their community.  

“We are so excited that UC students have embraced one of the missions of Service Learning and Civic Engagement, to enhance their sense of civic responsibility to the aging population,” added Jill Flood, assistant professor of professional practice. “The success of this course is measured on the smiles of the faces of the students and the seniors.”

Registration is now available for fall semester 2015 Driving Community Connection course.

Course Number 

Course Title 

Call Number

Format

  SLCE 3000                 SLCE Community               504609                     Web

Independent Transportation Network (ITN)

ITN is the first and only national nonprofit transportation system for America's aging population. ITN connects elders who need transportation for any purpose with volunteer drivers who provide “door-through-door service” at any time of day. ITN creates an efficient and financially sustainable solution to the transportation needs of seniors and the visually impaired