League Reaffirmation - Johnson County Community College

Las Pintas project wins national award
Since 1998, JCCC students, faculty and staff have given
medical, dental, social service and construction assistance to
the impoverished town of Las Pintas, Mexico. In recognition of
this life­changing work, the Community College National Center
for Community Engagement awarded its first­ever International
Service Learning Award to JCCC in May 2005.
The first JCCC team to Las Pintas in 1998 helped build a
community clinic and classroom, made home health visits,
installed electricity, repaired a water pump and solar heater,
and distributed 300 pairs of children’s shoes and school
supplies. Since then, the emphasis on construction has been
replaced by dental/health care and education. In 2004,
the nursing team saw more than 1,000 patients; the dental
hygiene team evaluated and treated more than 500; 150
young children participated in schoolroom activities; and
scholarships allowed 50 students, ages six to 19, to attend
school rather than go to work to help support their families.
The impact of this project is also evident in the increased
participation by Las Pintas residents, of whom 50 are now
trained to help as health promoters. JCCC students’ lives have
been changed by the experience, which has influenced their
personal development, career decisions and commitment to
social and civic outreach.
“JCCC faculty,
staff and students
have performed
significant service
in this Mexican
community from the beginning.
But over the past 10 years, we
have formed a true ‘learning
community’ with our Mexican
partners. Sometimes we are teachers
and helpers, but more often we
are the students who learn humility,
generosity and determination from
the residents of Las Pintas.”
– Carolyn Kadel,
professor, political science,
and director, International
Education
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