Social Work majors were trained in conflict resolution as a part of the Human Behavior and Social Settings course. The service-learning component involved these majors in conflict management for youth enrolled in the local Boys & Girls Club; Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Dudley High School; and the several youth outreach programs sponsored by Bennett College (i.e. NASA Scholars for Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Engineering and Technology [SEMSET], and TeensLead, the leadership program for area teens).

Over 375 Greensboro, N.C. elementary, middle, and high school youth ages 8-18 have been trained in conflict resolution through this service project. The participants conducted on-site training sessions with the students. The sessions involved anger management, role play, one-on-one counseling, and mediation training. Area representatives with expertise in conflict resolution were also invited to provide further training for the youth and the Social Work majors.

This project has not only impacted the young people involved, but has also affected their families, their schools and their communities. Bennett College students have learned how to handle conflicts and how to help young people resolve conflicts without engaging in violence. They have been prepared to service the communities in which they will reside as graduate students, employees and socially aware citizens. Their program was grounded in the instituted goal of social justice through service-learning and participation.

Social Work Program web page