Integrating community engagement into the school curriculum, driven by parents and teachers, serves as a catalyst for lasting change and provides students with learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom walls

Avenues has been investing in strategies to boost its community engagement programs since 2018. The Fellowship Program, headed by dedicated teachers, stands as a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering social awareness and empathy through education. The program features several layers of involvement, all designed to strengthen the bonds between the school and social organizations and encourage learning.

What sets the Fellowship apart is its ability to showcase the transformative power of education in promoting positive change within communities. The project’s many and far-reaching impacts have firmly established it as an integral part of Avenues' identity. Sylvia Guimarães, director of community engagement at the São Paulo campus, describes it as "the heart of the school because it unites us in inexplicable ways. It is all about the students and the teachers, together, showing what kind of vision we hold for the world and what we want for the children who are here."

The way here

The inception of the Fellowship dates back to 2019, when the initiatives resembled scattered seeds, lacking a defined structure and awaiting to be nurtured into something more substantial. In its early stages, the project consisted of a myriad of short-term ventures proposed by both students and teachers. Some of those initiatives gained traction and flourished into long-term initiatives, while others gradually faded away.

Over time, the school community collectively embarked on a journey to shape a cohesive vision for the Fellowship's growth based on structural refinements, better organization and strategic alignment. In the past year, the project was broadened to include organizations from across Brazil, enabling the school to connect with an even greater number of contexts and challenges.

Layers of project involvement

"We needed to create a program in which these established relationships would be long-term and, at the same time, this relationship would be multi-beneficiary"

Carol Miranda
Avenues Teacher

The program’s initial layer focuses on the sharing of knowledge and leadership development. Through monthly meetings and training sessions, the social organizations and the school establish networks and swap experiences.

Another important layer involves the co-creation of projects between social organizations and teachers. This partnership leads to initiatives that are not only more profound but also more authentic compared to those traditionally developed in isolation. Carol Miranda, community engagement manager, notes "We needed to create a program where these established relationships would be long-term and, at the same time, would benefit multiple parties." The close collaboration between the teachers and the organizations enables the development of ideas that are more aligned with the actual needs of the community.

Another unique aspect of the Fellowship is its connection with the students' parents, who play a pivotal role. In June 2022, the APA (Avenues Parents Association) raised R$ 68,640.00 at the school's Festa Junina for the ACE Fellowship organizations. The funds were distributed among the five organizations that integrated the ACE Fellowship at the time (go to section Report). In 2023, during another Festa Junina, the association raised R$ 103,185.00 for the four ACE Fellowship organizations and the Menino Jesus Hospital. This collaboration between parents, school and social organizations underlines the importance of community engagement in driving positive change.

Internalizing complexity

According to teacher Pamela Bautista, community engagement activities are important because they involve interactions with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, which exposes the students to differing perspectives and encourages open-mindedness and cultural understanding:"This contact enhances the ability to appreciate diversity and collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones. As they achieve personal goals and witness the positive impact of their efforts, their self-confidence grows, enabling them to face future challenges with resilience and determination".

In Carol Miranda's opinion, understanding the complexity of something is only possible when you experience reality: "Internalizing the experience of the complex is necessary for the future".

“This contact enhances the ability to appreciate diversity and collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones. As they achieve personal goals and witness the positive impact of their efforts, self-confidence grows, enabling them to face future endeavors with resilience and determination”

Pamela Bautist
Avenues Teacher

2023 FELLOWS

Fellowship Summit
After nearly a year of remote meetings, the ACE Fellows, a collective of social entrepreneurs, convened at Avenues São Paulo for their inaugural Fellowship Summit.

The power of human connections and the value of face-to-face interaction proved to be real. As well as integration, the meeting was an opportunity to share experiences and plan upcoming projects.

Check out the initiatives and projects supported by the Fellowship in the 2022-23 academic year.

1. MANGUES DA AMAZÔNIA

Mangues da Amazônia is a dedicated initiative focused on the conservation, preservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems in the Amazon region. The program encompasses socio-environmental actions with groups of children aged 3 to teenagers. Participants take part in discussions about culture, science and diversity. The programs also include visits to the cinema and computer courses, with a focus on the job market.

Instituto Peabiru is one of the organizations spearheading this project and its mission is to strengthen social organization by valuing socio-biodiversity. Based in Belém, Pará state, it operates across the country, notably in Marajó, the northeast of Pará and the Metropolitan Region of Belém.

Project manager John Gomes explains that mangroves are unique coastal ecosystems formed by a mixture of seawater and freshwater and are home to rich biodiversity. He highlights the breaking down of paradigms and stereotypes, mentioning the positive impact on students' understanding of the Amazon-based reality. According to Gomes, "the difference is this 'outward look' that Avenues encourages. The collision of realities is very significant. This gives us the opportunity to exchange experiences, learn about new methodologies and visit different environments."

He goes on to explain that the funds will be used to improve the infrastructure: "When funds like this come in from Avenues, through the Fellowship program, we look in-house and assess what we need to improve our deliveries. Currently, the funds will be used to equip our admin team, which requires fast and modern equipment. This results in quality reports, accountability according to the sponsor and the writing of many other projects for the house (Instituto Peabiru)," he concluded.

During his visit to São Paulo for the Fellowship Summit, John gave a few classes and spoke about the importance of mangroves to Avenues students and also designed projects in which Instituto Peabiru was a partner.

“When resources like this come in from Avenues, through the Fellowship program, we look in-house and assess what we need to improve our deliveries. At the moment, the funds will be used to equip our administrative team, as we need fast and up-to-date equipment. This results in quality reports, accountability according to the sponsor and the writing of many other projects for the house (Instituto Peabiru)”

John Gomes
Project manager

2. KOMBOSA SELETIVA

In a transformative partnership bridging education and waste pickers, Sérgio da Silva Bispo, creator of the Kombosa Seletiva project, gives powerful lessons and creates interactions that emerge from a collaboration between the organization and the students. The project proposes a comprehensive solution for waste management and includes the collection, transport and proper disposal of materials.

In addition to selective waste collection, the initiative champions awareness-raising actions, featuring talks, workshops and events to educate the public about the importance of recycling and composting, reverse logistics and sustainability.

While the students learned how to implement an efficient waste collection system at the school, the team invited Bispo to share his expertise. "The participation and engagement of the students and teachers in recycling was remarkable. The extent of this involvement exceeded expectations, bringing newfound strength to the waste pickers," said Bispo.

3. RIZOMAS

Led by CEO Manoela Moreira and executive director Bruna Pereira, the Rizomas project emerged from a search for inclusive learning, driving educational initiatives for the community. Motivated by a commitment to broaden educational opportunities beyond socio-economic constraints, the duo designed a learning space in Capão Redondo that transcends the boundaries of traditional classrooms.

The Rizomas methodology is centered on projects in which children and teenagers choose topics of interest and develop solutions, engaging in hands-on learning. Avenues students had the opportunity to visit the project and immerse themselves in a totally different reality. The initiative has leaders who help develop socio-emotional skills, academic proficiency (Portuguese, math and English) and reading fluency, while increasing their cultural knowledge.

Manoela points out the project’s essence in fostering meaningful connections among children from different social backgrounds and emphasizes that the mission goes beyond mere collaboration. "The idea is for children to learn relevant lessons for their lives and cultivate socio-emotional skills in a contextualized manner," she said.

"The idea is for children to learn relevant lessons for their lives and develop socio-emotional skills in a contextualized way"

Manoela Moreira
CEO

4. CATAMISTO

“I was impressed by the knowledge of the Avenues students. It was a very good exchange, they asked interesting questions and we shared some of our experience”

André Soares
Project creator

At the crossroads of artistic expression and environmental commitment lies the Catamisto project, the brainchild of artist André Soares Monteiro. The initiative involves a unique two-pronged approach - that of a waste picker and that of a mixer. In André's words, he is "a collector of recyclables and a mixer of artistic techniques to recycle materials".

André's life and career are deeply intertwined with art, sustainability, culture and social education. This fusion not only adds invaluable human value, but also lays solid foundations for a transformative future. Students, parents and teachers rallied together to raise funds in support of the organization's work. "I was impressed by the knowledge of the Avenues students. It was a very enriching exchange; they asked interesting questions and we shared some of our experiences," stated André.

The funds received are being used to build the headquarters of the Association for the Defense, Protection and Preservation of the Environment of Olinda (Associação de Defesa, Proteção e Preservação do Meio Ambiente de Olinda - ADPPMAO), a social project that has been serving the community of Ilha do Maruim for more than six years. The association focuses on strengthening and upholding citizenship, education, culture and environmental preservation for more than 100 families.

The construction of the headquarters will enable the association to effectively carry out its work and will provide a welcoming space for the residents, making a difference in the social life of the community and its environs.

In a world where humanity's ecological footprint requires immediate attention, responsible solid waste management is emerging as a key element in fighting the destructive effects of climate change. This is where the vision of the Catamisto project blossoms. Through art, André raises awareness among children, young people and adults about the importance of caring for the environment. His aim is clear - to nurture a collective consciousness that can result in individuals who are more aware and committed.

Fellowship Program

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The program places a strong emphasis on integrating community engagement into the school curriculum to promote lasting change and provide students with learning experiences that go beyond the classroom walls. Since 2018, the school has been investing in strategies to bolster these programs - with the Fellowship Program emerging as a shining example of the transformative power of education in creating positive change in communities. The project involves several layers of involvement, including knowledge sharing, co-creation of projects between social organizations and teachers, and the active participation of students' parents. In the 2022-23 school year, the Fellowship supported four projects:
• Mangues da Amazônia;

• Kombosa Seletiva;

• Rizomas;

• Catamisto.

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