The Clarion Community Learning Workshop provides educational support and programs for learners of all ages and continues to adapt their services and programs to meet the needs of community members from both Clarion and the surrounding communities.

Located at 505 Main Street in Clarion, the workshop’s mission is to provide educational and literacy support and opportunities, including after school homework help, tutoring in specific subject areas, daily enrichment activities, GED preparation, and evening programming and workshops in areas of the arts, writing, foreign language, computer literacy, workplace writing, and much more. The workshop is co-directed by Dr. Rich Lane and Dr. Leah Chambers, who are also faculty members at PennWest Clarion. Lane and Chambers view the workshop’s mission as continually defined by the community’s needs.

Essential in shaping the workshop’s mission is its staff. The workshop is staffed primarily by PennWest Clarion students from multiple academic programs, ranging from Biology and Psychology to Education, Speech-Language Pathology, English, and Math. To date, over 800 undergraduate and graduate PennWest Clarion students have volunteered, engaged in service-learning through a course, and developed and facilitated evening programs at the workshop. The workshop provides the opportunity for students to connect with the community through service, which has been defined by the American Association of Colleges Universities (AAC&U) as a “high-impact practice.” Not only do volunteers provide homework help and tutoring, but they also develop and facilitate programs, assist with marketing of events via social media and flyers, conduct research on community needs, and maintain daily operations. 

Since its opening in the fall of 2013, the Clarion Community Learning Workshop has served more than 1,000 learners from Clarion and the surrounding communities of all ages, from Pre-Kindergarten to adults. The workshop also provides tutoring services to the Victory House Drop-In Center, part of the Center for Community Resources, Inc.

There are numerous ways in which both students and community members can serve at the workshop and help to define and shape its mission and goals. At its core, the Community Learning Workshop is a place in which community members can come together, share ideas, collaborate, and “make things happen” for the greater good.

All services provided by the Clarion Community Learning Workshop are free. The workshop was initially developed by a grant from PennWest Clarion. The University continues to support the day-to-day operations of the Workshop, but Dr. Lane and Dr. Chambers actively seek grants and donations to continue to fund programming.

To learn about programs, volunteer opportunities, or how you can support this free educational resource, please contact the Community Learning Workshop via phone or email: learningworkshop@pennwest.edu or 814 297 8315.

Follow the Workshop on Facebook and Instagram @clarionclw for program updates and to see community learning in action.

Hours of operation are from 3:15 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.