As part of Wheelock College's partnership with the Mattahunt Community Center in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood, 26 Wheelock students conducted a semester-long class research project designed to help shape future programming at the Center.

Wheelock Assistant Professor of Social Work Ashley Davis launched the project as a "hands on" component of a course called Social Research, in which bachelor of social work (BSW) students learn about research methods in social work.

“The project allowed for an experiential way for students to learn about research and for important conversations to arise organically about ethics, social justice, reflexivity, and cultural competence, among other topics," said Davis. "The students took the project very seriously and had a high degree of professionalism, especially when they understood that their findings would actually be used by the Center in its future planning.”

The students in the Social Research course first met with Director Rashad Cope to learn about the Mattahunt-Wheelock Community Center Partnership. They identified two of Cope's key goals for the Center: increasing family involvement and expanding programs offered to the community.

“Hopefully social work services will be one of those programs and will include opportunities for undergraduate and graduate social work students to serve the community through their field placements,” said Davis. “Rashad's visit inspired and energized students, and he generated interest among students in what's happening at Mattahunt.”

To gather data, the Wheelock BSW students visited the Mattahunt Community Center four times, first volunteering two times in the Mattahunt's afterschool programs to get to know the staff, children, and the community. After the visits with the children, the students documented reflections of their experience, any similarities and differences in social locations (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, social class, religion, ability status, etc.) that exist between themselves and the children at the Center and how these similarities or differences have an impact on their roles as researchers.

“The project at Mattahunt has taught me that one of the most important aspects of research is to learn about a culture before immersing myself in it in a professional manner," said student Lea Bartolo. "In order to earn a community's respect, it is important for professionals to not be ignorant about a people's community and way of life."

The students then visited the Center two more times to survey parents (using a survey available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole) about additional support services they would like to see provided there.

Said student Rose Karshi: "Mattahunt was an interesting and eye-opening experience for me. The parents were very outgoing and the kids were bundles of energy willing to learn."

The BSW students are currently analyzing the data they gathered and its implications. They will document their findings in final papers for the course, as well as in a presentation to the Community Center's parents and staff.

Davis said the project went so well that she plans to carry out a new class research project at the Mattahunt during next semester's Social Research course.