Programs Receive Praise for Work To Improve Communal Well-Being

UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Berdahl recognized nine university and community partnership programs at a reception Tuesday night for their efforts to enhance the quality of life in Berkeley.

"It's mind-boggling the breadth and scope of the partnership between the university and the community," Berdahl said about the commitment of each of the nine programs.

"In light of the nation's recent tragic events, this celebration takes on an even more significant role," Berdahl said. "It pays tribute to the kindness of the human spirit and the strength we have as a community to help one another address some of today's most pressing problems," he said, referring to the Sept. 11 attacks.

A board of university faculty and school deans nominated the programs for recognition. Those selected offer services ranging from legal and medical assistance to research and literacy programs.

Among the honored programs is The Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas, a partnership with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. The group does research on the effects of pesticides on the neurological growth of children.

They are studying pesticide effects on 500 children of Latino farm workers from the time of birth until they are 2 and a half years old.

"It is an honor, and I am glad that our hard work is leading to something for the university and the community," said Asa Bradman, associate director of the center.

Vice Chancellor of Research Beth Burnside commended the health center for its strong commitment to identifying and obtaining hard data on the causes of asthma.

The East Bay Community Law Center, which operates in conjunction with Boalt Hall School of Law, was another program recognized at the reception. Workers at the center offer legal advice about rent and welfare to low-income families. The program is largely run by law students at the school.

"Our project is aimed at building the economic self-sufficiency of low-income communities," said Debra Moss-West, director of administration and human resources at the center.

The student-initiated and -driven Suitcase Clinic, which makes personal visits to and provides a wide range of services to low income families and the homeless-from health care and legal advice, to haircuts and counseling-was also honored by Berdahl and other university officials.

Jeff Grappo, one of four chiropractors at the clinic, said he works at the clinic once a month, rotating with the other chiropractors. He said the clinic also offers mobile individual appointments for optometric and counseling services.

"It's great the way such a small amount of capital resources can result in the amount of services provided," Grappo said.

The other programs selected for recognition were the English Language Development Project, the Interactive Project, the Juvenile Hall Literacy Collaborative, the Stiles Hall Mentor Programs/ Berkeley Scholars to Cal, the UC Berkeley Parents Guide Project and the Campus/West Neighborhood Collaboration.

Berdahl remarked that the partnerships "show what can be accomplished when an urban research university like UC Berkeley joins hands with an active community to share our collective resources, talents and imaginations."

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