This report evaluates the Community Service Learning (CSL) and Extracurricular Volunteering (EV) programs at the University of Ottawa, focusing on their outcomes on community partners and end-beneficiaries, and on the factors facilitating or inhibiting the sustainability of positive outcomes. Initiated in July 2023 by the Ottawa Community Engagement team, the evaluation was conducted by Julie Prud'homme, a PhD candidate under the supervision of Associate Professor Virginie Cobigo, with contributions from PhD students Grace Jacob and Wina Paul Darius.
Approach
The evaluation team used a mixed-methodological approach grounded in Lau and Snell's
(2022) Conceptual Framework of Community Impacts Arising from Service-Learning. We conducted a survey and individual interviews with current community partners.
Key findings
Outcomes for community partners
- Achievement of organizational goals to further their mission
- Augmentation of resources
- Acquisition of knowledge, insights, ideas and techniques
- Perception of collaboration as a worthy investment of time, effort and resources
Outcomes for end-beneficiaries
- Improvement of their language, communication and/or academic skills
- Assistance with their daily or special needs
- Increase in their employability, quality of life and well-being
- Provision of a sense of value, connectivity and belonging
Success factors for sustainable outcomes
- Continuously provision of student volunteers
- Effective management of volunteers by all parties involved
- Strong collaboration and support from all parties involved
- Clear guidelines and expectations set early in the process
- Student volunteers with specific qualities and characteristics (e.g., motivation, enthusiasm, good time management and organizational skills, knowledge)
Obstacles to sustainable outcomes
- Distance and commute to placement site for student volunteers
- Lengthy student volunteer recruitment process
- Busy student volunteer schedules
- More "junior" student volunteers
- Student volunteers lacking time management skills, commitment and motivation
- Poor communication between all parties involved
Accessing the Full Report
If you would like to access the full report, please email the Community Engagement team.