About the VC Collaborative
Functioning as a multipurpose community database, the VC Collaborative features a "Community-Based Research Network." This part of the website provides online definitions / explanations of community-based research and participatory action research. In addition, visitors are able to view summaries of completed projects and search a database of researchers (including faculty from throughout the local colleges and universities).
The goal of this piece is to connect community members and organizations with researchers and resources so that data can be collected and analyzed to help them address social problems they have identified. This part of the website will also provide links to relevant RFPs from local and national organizations that might be likely to fund social-justice oriented projects.
Strengthening Collaboration
A second part of the VC Collaborative is an online "Social Justice Events Calendar." Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are rich in a variety of events that promote social justice and encourage social action. However, community activists have noted that it is often difficult to keep track of activities and coordinate one organization's events so that they do not conflict with another organization's events. This calendar creates greater efficiencies through collaboration among organizations with similar missions, particularly those focused on issues such as immigration, health and violence.
Speakers Bureau & Mentor Program
Other aspects of the VC Collaborative include a "Social Justice Speakers Bureau" and "Social Justice Mentor Program." The online Speakers' Bureau allows community-based experts and academic speakers to advertise their areas of expertise. This enables events planners from the many social-justice focused organizations to have easy access to a wide array of local talent when planning conferences, forums, panel discussions, etc. It is also a resource for local media who wish to interview social justice activists and scholars.
The mentor program facilitates connections between those who are experienced in fields that support social justice goals (e.g., members of local private and public organizations, activists and educators) with students, unemployed and underemployed adults. Initially the Social Justice Mentor Program provides a database of mentors. The program coordinates with career services offices at local higher education institutions to create new opportunities for students and ultimately, to a well-prepared corps of non-profit leaders.
