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Our Impact

              
I'm realizing that human
relationships are what
matter to me most and I
will likely use my career
to facilitate civil rights
for others .

Since 1997, SHINE has partnered with 31 colleges and universities and over 200 ethnic, community and faith-based organizations in 18 cities across the country. Faculty have incorporated service-learning through SHINE into more than 1000 courses in a variety of disciplines. Over 9000 students have provided more than 150,000 hours of service to almost 40,000 older immigrants through Project SHINE with support from Learn and Serve America.

Project SHINE was also nominated Model Program by Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement. 

The areas of SHINE's greatest impact, however, are less quantifiable.  The SHINE experience is transformative for its participants, fostering positive growth that influences the direction of one's life. One student reflected:

Being able to communicate with and learn about people who are of a different culture and age ... helped me break out of my narrow view of the world and have first hand experience with people that I might not meet under normal circumstances.

Many students choose to work in the community after their SHINE experience.  Some are affirmed in their sense of purpose. One student wrote:

Everything I hoped for came true. Not only did the experience meet my expectations - it surpassed them. The [learners] I worked with came from widely diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds. I learned that each of them had a story to tell. I learned that I love teaching and that I have chosen the right path.

Collaborating with RMC Research, SHINE conducted a comparison study last year as part of a comprehensive program evaluation which confirmed that these observations are not singular:

  • SHINE students demonstrated statistically significant increases in civic skills and knowledge of U.S. immigration when compared with students who had not participated in SHINE.
  • Students whose professors frequently linked coursework to SHINE service experienced the greatest positive outcomes, including statistically significant changes in school engagement, civic intentions, attitudes toward the elderly, and attitudes toward immigrants.

Communities also benefited. 97% of SHINE community partners surveyed reported that SHINE tutors positively affected their organization. "If the SHINE students were not available, these elders would not have the opportunity to learn as they have."