Four Questions with Rosa Carides-Hof: ‘Get Involved’

Rosa Carides-Hof is the community school coordinator at Donegan Elementary School in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, near campus. Her position, in Lehigh's Community Services Office, stems from a partnership with the United Way and the Bethlehem Area School District. A change maker, Carides-Hof was interviewed for the upcoming Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) exhibition.

What is your role?
I work closely with all the stakeholders of the Community School Strategy to identify and address the needs of students and their families. I am the link among the students, parents, teachers, school administrators and community partners. We all work together to find solutions to address challenges to ensure that students can learn. Although I am a Lehigh employee, my office is hosted at Donegan Elementary. I work closely with the principal to bring resources that will help the students meet yearly academic and non-academic goals. Once I know the goals, I meet with community partners to bring enrichment opportunities such as after-school and family educational programs. I also coordinate during the-day programs and services like tutoring. I work closely with the families to identify community resources such as food, clothing and housing.

What kind of change are you working to address?
The goal? Stabilizing and empowering families to improve the academic success of their children. We are building future leaders for our community, and I am grateful to be part of this process.

How can art help create change?
When families are given the opportunity to experience art, it can be soothing for them. Many students express their emotions by drawing or painting as well as creating sculptures or visiting community galleries. We are very fortunate to have a great variety of community partners who bring programs to the school. We see expressions of art everywhere. Exposure to the arts has a community healing effect.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to make a positive change?
Get involved, do not be afraid, know your community. There are misconceptions about the South Side community. Yes, there is poverty; many of our families are working two or three jobs to make ends meet. But this community is rich in diversity and resiliency and willing to work together and make a difference.