Prescious Washington, an instructor at Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association’s (OCCCDA) after-school program in Northeast Philadelphia, assists student I’shanaye Johnson during recess. OCCCDA is among MCC’s first Global Family education partners in Canada and the U.S. Photo by Rachel Sommer.

This fall, Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) Global Family education program, which supports community-based education in 40 countries, launched projects in two new countries—Canada and the U.S.

In the 60 years that Global Family has existed, the donor-supported program has provided teacher and parent training, supplemental tuition, lunches, tutoring and educational supplies, believing that education will strengthen communities that have high rates of poverty.

In Bolivia, for example, the program provides food, tutoring and emotional support for young children who live in prison with a parent and then provides work training and scholarships to them as teenagers. In Zambia, Global Family provides funds for peace clubs, educational materials and teachers’ professional development in a network of schools run by the Brethren in Christ church.

In Philadelphia, Global Family is partnering with three faith-based organizations offering after-school and summer programming. In Saskatoon, Sask., Global Family supports tutoring and nutrition education. A third Global Family partnership is scheduled to launch in the Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario in 2015.

Lynn Longenecker, education coordinator for MCC, said this recent expansion represents a desire to work close to home.

“Our hope is that Global Family can address educational needs both globally and locally,” said Longenecker.

Like Global Family partners around the world, the projects in Canada and the U.S. seek to identify and meet community educational needs by empowering local leaders.

In Philadelphia, Global Family supports collaboration among after­-school and summer programming directors at Abundant Life Academy in South Philadelphia, Crossroads Community Center in North Philadelphia and Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association (OCCCDA) in Northeast Philadelphia.

All three programs address distinct educational needs in communities where public schools are underfunded. The Crossroads program began 50 years ago; the OCCCDA and Abundant Life Academy programs have been active for about a decade.

As part of the Global Family-supported collaborative, the three program directors work with Raquel Estevez-Joyce, a consultant and educator. Together, they share their successes and challenges, and they identify ways in which their programs can strengthen and grow. “Each member is both an expert and a learner,” said Estevez-Joyce.

When the directors told Estevez-Joyce they wanted to implement more effective discipline models, she organized a training with Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, restorative justice coordinator for MCC U.S. Stutzman Amstutz suggested ways that programs can address behavioral issues while strengthening relationships among staff and students.

Estevez-Joyce, who attends Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, a Mennonite Church USA congregation, said she’s seen all three Philadelphia programs benefit from collaborating and sharing resources. “This framework allows us to learn … from our distinct perspectives and diverse communities,” she said. “It’s an honor to help build the bridge.”