Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1487796
E D W I N A W I L L I A M S W A N T E D her community college students to discover how the classroom material applies to the outside world, and maybe find their purpose. So several years ago she created Project LIKE (Literacy is Knowledge Empowerment), a nonprofit that connects stu- dents to nonprofits and community agencies in the larger Northern San Diego County where they can volunteer, intern or do work study. Williams, who teaches sociology — plus statistics, African studies, ethnic studies, women's studies and more — estimates that approximately 40 students participate each semester. Many of them come from challenging backgrounds, and she can relate to that. "I never thought I would ever be in a college class, let alone teach one," says Williams, associate faculty at MiraCosta College in Oceanside and adjunct faculty at Palomar College in San Marcos. She shares her story — becoming pregnant at 17, dropping out of high school and eventually earning a master 's degree — to show students anyone can transform their life. Project LIKE par ticipants combat social problems and make communities stronger by ser ving at food pantries, reading and promoting literacy at the Boys and Girls Club and other agencies, and teaching personal finance and career education to youth at Junior Achievement of San Diego. Some par ticipants conduct fundraisers for wor thy causes. " The students are learning diverse perspectives," Project LIKE participants earlier this year. "The students are learning diverse perspectives, learning about different cultures and meeting people who speak different languages. I am so proud of my students." says Williams, a member of the MiraCollege College Academic Associate Faculty. " They are learning about different cultures and meeting people who speak differ- ent languages. This is what sociology is all about. I am so proud of my students." She received a $33,000 grant from Blue Cross to fund a health literacy program, and the health care company kicked in another $7,000 so students could provide free meals at churches and schools for those experiencing food insecurity. She also fundraises through her website sites.google.com/view/project-like. Williams was a student at Ocean Shores High School in Oceanside when she became pregnant and dropped out. Between associating with gang mem- bers and caring for her younger siblings, she felt destined to continue living in a cycle of poverty. The turning point came when her son entered kindergarten, and she found herself struggling to read his homework instructions. She wanted to be a role model for him, so she enrolled in the High School Diploma Program at the MiraCosta College Community Learning Center. She earned her diploma two years later, and then enrolled in MiraCosta College, where she earned an associ- ate degree in psychology, received several scholarships and landed on the President's List. She transferred to Cal State San Marcos, where she earned a bachelor 's degree in psy- chology in 2012 and a master 's degree in sociological practice in 2015. EDWINA WILLIAMS MiraCosta College Academic Associate Faculty 25 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 / J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 Creating an ethic of love and community