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Barbara C. Harrison

Posted on September 18th, 2009 by bcharrison

My objective is a position in community outreach with an organization that is working to engage and give voice to their constituency. To this position I bring extensive planning and implementation of environmental and social action programs. Outstanding organizational, analytical and communication skills. Motivated self-starter with high standards, and excellent problem-solving capabilities.

I am a graduate of Antioch University McGregor’s Community Change & Civic Leadership program, focusing on environmental justice and urban agriculture/community gardens. My capstone project concentrated on employing the visual medium of collage to facilitate a discussion about environmental justice. In addition, I wrote a paper on the topic of collage as social commentary in art and history. My previous degrees are in film and video, and history. I am certified as a permaculture designer; as well as hold certification as a LeadershipPlenty trainer through the Pew Partnership for Civic Change.

Schools/Degrees/Certifications

Antioch University, McGregor, Yellow Springs, Ohio - M. A. Community Change and Civic Leadership - specializing in environmental justice & urban agriculture/community gardens. Pew Partnership for Civic Change, Charlottesville, Virginia - LeadershipPlenty certified trainer. Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute, Ithaca, New York - Permaculture Design Certificate. American University, Washington, D.C. - M. A. Film and Video, Publication Diva: A Maternal Voice Fantasy Film. Antioch University, Seattle, Washington - Coursework in Whole Systems Design. Adelphi University, Garden City, New York - B. A. History, Graduated Cum Laude (with honors), Honorary member of International Social Science and History Organization.

Work Experience

Merrifield Garden Center - Sales Associate, Worked in the annuals section of the nursery assisting customers with information regarding plant choice, as well as designing plant arrangements. Wholeness for Humanity - Project Manager, Coordinated three simultaneous projects for Martin Luther King Day 2009 involving multiple host sites, logistics, graphics and printing, program development, presenter liaison, coordinating volunteers, creating master planning sheets, post event follow up. The Farm Institute - Garden Apprentice, Assisted in operating three-acre non-certified organic production garden. I organized and ran farmer’s market booth, as well as supervised and trained teen apprentices and volunteers. I designed and implemented community garden curriculum for teen apprentices. Earthday Network - Community Outreach Coordinator, Acted as a liaison with religious communities to plan and develop Earth Day events and actions focused on Climate Change Solutions. Wrote sustainable building curriculum for schools. Created religiously based resources as well as an event preparation manual. Conducted research and interviews for Urban Environment Report. Supervised interns. Loudoun County Public School System - History Teacher/Homebound Teacher, Taught history at the Young Adults Project to high school students with emotional and behavioral difficulties who were incapable of attending a conventional high school. As a homebound teacher, I instructed children in academic subjects in grades k – 12 who were unable to attend school because of medical, emotional, or behavioral issues. Fairfax County Public School System - Teacher Aide, Taught first grade math and science.

Expertise

I have worked with diverse clientele in a variety of setting including students with behavioral, physical and emotional issues. I designed and implemented community garden curriculum for teen apprentices. Acted as a liaison with religious communities to plan and develop Earth Day events and actions focused on Climate Change Solutions. Wrote sustainable building curriculum for schools. Conducted research and interviews for Urban Environment Report. LeadershipPlenty certified trainer. Permaculture Design certified. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT - EcoExplorations - Producer, Developed an interactive nature and wildlife web page for children ages 8 – 12 years old. The goal of the site was to use the web as a tool to connect children with nature, each other and people who worked in environmental fields; then apply what they had learned in the natural world. Family Read Aloud - Producer, Developed and implemented curricula for workshops and individualized sessions that taught parents to read aloud to their children and then connect the books they read with activities. The program was designed for parents with low incomes, or who spoke English as a second language. Initiated and chaired environmental committee at my congregation that developed and organized programs and activities to inform and benefit the community.

Goals

Working in a community outreach capacity with low income communities and/or communities of color in the areas of environmental justice specifically in the areas of urban agriculture/community gardens. Since my above interests cannot be separated out I would also be interested in working on other topics such as green job training, literacy, housing, etc. that affect individuals on a daily basis.