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Bridging and Bonding: A Case for Prioritizing Social and Organizational Connectedness in Non-Profit Literacy
Kevin Gosine1, Darlene Ciuffetelli Parker2, Tiffany Gallagher2
1Department of Sociology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON Canada.
Non-profit literacy programs build social capital, fostering connections beyond reading skills. These community initiatives strengthen social ties, enhance cohesion, and empower marginalized individuals by recognizing their unique assets.
Area of Science:
- Community development
- Social capital theory
- Literacy studies
Background:
- Non-profit organizations play a crucial role in community enrichment.
- Literacy programs often extend benefits beyond educational outcomes.
- Understanding the multifaceted impact of community initiatives is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how non-profit community literacy organizations benefit individuals and communities.
- To identify outcomes that transcend the organizations' stated missions.
- To investigate the role of these programs in fostering social capital.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research design.
- Data collected through in-depth individual interviews and focus groups.
- Participants included program users (n=72), staff (n=11), and program leads (n=8).
Main Results:
- Literacy programs facilitate the cultivation of bridging and bonding social capital.
- Social capital often strengthens into deeper ties among users, staff, and volunteers.
- Program cultures are intentionally designed to foster social capital development.
Conclusions:
- Non-profit literacy organizations empower individuals and communities beyond their missions.
- These entities foster social and organizational connectedness, promoting cohesion and trust.
- Programs cultivate unacknowledged talents and strengths within marginalized communities.
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