Building Futures Through Social Capital: The Community Connected Learning Framework

Facilitator/s:

Edward DeJesus and Dr. Cera Doering, Social Capital Builders

Workshop Description:

In today’s education and workforce systems, success is often framed as a matter of technical skill, knowledge acquisition, or test performance. Yet for countless learners, especially those from underserved backgrounds, the missing ingredient is not competence but connection. Opportunities to enter, navigate, and advance in careers rarely come from qualifications alone; they are unlocked by the relationships that provide access to information, influence, and resources. This workshop introduces the Community Connected Learning (CCL) Framework, developed by Social Capital Builders, as a transformative approach that makes social capital a central pillar of learning.

At the heart of CCL is a simple but powerful shift: from “what you teach” to “how you teach.” Rather than viewing the instructor as the sole gatekeeper of knowledge, CCL equips participants with the skills and confidence to recognize, cultivate, and sustain relationships with “change makers,” the individuals, organizations, and institutions who can open doors to real opportunity. By embedding social capital literacy into learning experiences, CCL turns classrooms and training programs into environments where learners build the networks that drive economic mobility and long-term well-being.

The workshop will combine conceptual grounding with hands-on practice. Participants will explore the foundations of social capital literacy, examining how networks and connections shape hiring and advancement. You will practice using simple social network analysis tools to identify hidden assets and overlooked pathways in their own communities. Through structured activities, participants will experience CCL from both learner and facilitator perspectives, discovering how small shifts in approach, such as asking for advice rather than a job, or sharing milestones with mentors, can transform relationships into engines of career success.

A case study of “Jose,” a young man who aspired to a career in HVAC but felt he “didn’t know anyone,” illustrates this transformation. Through CCL, Jose mapped his social network and discovered an indirect but powerful link to a former Job Corps instructor. By reframing his approach and engaging this connection with humility and persistence, Jose opened the door to a career pathway he once thought unreachable. Stories like Jose’s highlight the power of CCL to help learners see opportunity in their existing networks, legitimize the role of social capital, and reframe education as a process of connection-building.

Why attend?
This workshop offers both fresh insights and practical tools. For researchers and academics, it provides a bridge between social capital theory and applied practice. For practitioners, community leaders, and educators, it offers strategies to integrate social capital building into everyday teaching and workforce development. By participating, attendees will gain not only a clearer understanding of how social capital drives opportunity but also concrete methods to apply this knowledge in their own contexts.

Objectives or Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles of Community Connected Learning (CCL) as a strength-based, connection-oriented approach to education and workforce development.
• Examine how connecting learners to change makers—individuals, organizations, and institutions with access and influence—drives economic mobility and social well-being.
• Apply a simple social network analysis tool to identify hidden community assets and map potential pathways for career advancement.
• Experience an CCL activity as both a learner and facilitator, gaining insight into how it legitimizes social capital and reveals overlooked connections.

Intended Audience:

This workshop is designed for researchers, academics, community leaders, and practitioners seeking culturally grounded, equity-based approaches to bridging educational theory, social capital theory, and real-world change. Participants will learn how Community Connected Learning (CCL) equips learners to identify and connect with change makers: individuals, organizations, and institutions who drive economic mobility and social well-being. Through CCL activities, attendees will gain practical tools to uncover hidden assets, legitimize social capital, and design strategies that transform education and workforce programs into engines of opportunity.

About the Facilitator/s:

Edward DeJesus, MS is a pioneering leader in social capital literacy, with over 40 years of experience advancing workforce, education, and justice initiatives. He holds a Master’s in Urban Policy Analysis from the New School for Social Research and a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University. Edward is the President of Social Capital Builders, Inc. and co-founder of the Academy for Transformational Change, where he has designed nationally recognized programs that help adults, youth, and returning citizens leverage relationships for economic mobility and community safety. He is the author of three books—Making It, Workforce and Summer Job Success, and Connecting the Disconnected—and numerous articles and curricula used nationwide. A W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Fellow and Rutgers University Fellow, Edward has been recognized for shaping national policies and training thousands of practitioners. Through his work, he continues to bridge research and practice, equipping underserved communities with the power of social capital to transform lives.

Dr. Cera Doering is an accomplished education leader with over 20 years of experience as a teacher, instructional specialist, principal, and human resources director. She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Equity Centered Leadership and Innovative Change from Marymount University, where her research and practice focused on transforming educational systems through sustainable leadership and innovation. In addition, she earned a Master’s degree in Conflict Management from the University of Baltimore and advanced certification in school administration from Towson University. Dr. Doering’s expertise spans instructional excellence, talent development, and system-wide school improvement, making her a trusted voice in advancing equity, educator support, and student success.