PBMR Education Lab launches new programs
Additional offerings serve the community as a whole
Education and gainful work provide hope, dignity, and the opportunity for individual growth. Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR) in Chicago serves young people and families impacted by violence, incarceration, and structural inequity in Chicago’s Back of the Yards and Englewood neighborhoods, and the PBMR Education Lab is powerful tool to serve the community.
Since 2017, PBMR has accompanied adult learners as they work toward their academic and life goals. In partnership with Liberty High School, PBMR provides an opportunity for young adult members of the community to complete classes and earn a high school diploma.
This fall, the PBMR Education Lab will expand to support learners of all ages, reflecting its long-standing commitment to support the whole community. In August, Clare Brown joined PBMR’s Education Lab team, designing a new and fresh concept for the lab, while staying true to PBMR’s mission. The lab will employ a holistic community learning approach, providing academic support for youth and adults beyond high school completion and seeking innovative ways to support all learners.
“I’m excited to co-create learning spaces with the community that celebrate the many forms of wisdom and knowledge that people have, which often go unrecognized by the school system,” says Clare. “I hope that we can create a space that’s safe and welcoming where people can come and be who they are and learn together in community.”
Holistic community learning programming allows participants to take a deeper step into their learning habits, norms, and quirks. PBMR will incorporate book clubs, art projects, movie screenings, and other nontraditional learning methods to assist participants in applying areas of study to real-life situations. The PBMR library has added books for all reading levels to support the community’s need to access information and have continuous literary support.
The first step in the PBMR Education Lab expansion is to open tutoring hours for youth participants, with staff and mentors available to accompany them and provide additional resources with homework and exam prep. Secondly, PBMR will collaboratively plan with participations who are transitioning from high school to higher education and the workforce to ensure they have support. Lastly, participants will now be able to work with the lab and their case managers to find schools that best support their needs and long-term goals.
The PBMR Education Lab has a history of success. Previous strategies have focused on participants who are incarcerated and nontraditional adult learners. In June, PBMR celebrated the graduation of four students enrolled in the high school completion program with a gathering of families, staff, and the community. One of those participants has already been invited for an interview for a job of his choice and has expressed interest in furthering his knowledge of business management, fashion, and art.
While the high school graduation rate in Chicago has increased slightly in recent years, there is still work to be done. PBMR also offers workforce development to community members, including a job-readiness program and skills training.
The work of the PBMR Education Lab meets a fundamental need in the community, and the deepening scope and work of the lab is part of a transformation into a true learning center. The Precious Blood spirituality and mission to bring hospitality, hope, and healing to our communities underpin these initiatives and contribute to building relationships among the community.