The Village Project is an academic service-learning program embedded into the first year education major experience through courses EDUC 101, EDUC 102, and EDUC 103. Our Education Department recognizes the large community need for support within local afterschool programs. The Department also believes that it is important for future educators to step into the community at the beginning of their college experience. In bringing these ideals together, we have created the Village Project. The primary focus of the Village Project is to do our part in supporting the community. A secondary benefit of this mission is that our education students begin learning about their community as soon as possible. Students will encounter this mutually beneficial program throughout their faculty-led course work during their first year.