University-Community Collaborations: A Vehicle for Capacity Building and Mutual Learning within an Immigrant Mental Health Coalition

Abstract

University-community collaborations represent a valuable opportunity for colleges and universities to leverage expertise, research, and skills to enhance the work of community organizations dedicated to social justice and equity for marginalized and oppressed groups. Successful university-community collaborations require mutually negotiated goals, significant investment of monetary and non-monetary resources and mutual benefits for all stakeholders. Yet, important gaps remain in the university-community collaborations literature and specifically around better understanding partner involvement, capacity building, and mutual learning. This case study describes how university assets can be mobilized to expand coalition resources. The process between the stakeholders of negotiating scopes of work, defining roles, accommodating challenges encountered and suggested best practices are discussed.