Project LINK - Heather

1. For this project I volunteered at a home day-care in Casey, IL.
   
   
2. Children at this day-care come from all different types of homes. For a few of the families she has a discount for the fact they can’t always afford food, clothing, etc. She helps teach these children pre-school and Kindergarten concepts. She even gets the kids gifts on holidays and she knows that not all the kids get a lot during Christmas, etc. She will offer food for the families to take home when they come to pick their child up so that they get supper or a snack when they go home. Not all the families are able to provide for their children and she is trying her hardest to give back to them so that they don’t go without a meal, food, etc.
   
   
3. I did not realize that in my small community so many children needed help. Of course, we always talk about how many children live in poverty but until you see the children and their families you don’t always realize the impact. I talked to two other adults who have a day-care in Casey and they help the children that they take care of also. They also donate different items to the community churches and Casey will have “city-wide garage sales” and the churches will have everything for free. I was able to talk to a few parents and they were grateful for what the day-care provider does for them and makes it a little easier on them and less stressful then what it normally would be. I didn’t know how much day-care providers really do help families and I could not imagine being a day-care provider myself.
   
   
4. She is helping teach the children before school and even while they are in school. Even after school when the children get off the bus she will help them with homework (depending on age) and she will have a snack with a lesson. Also, I thought that it was great that they donated different items to the churches so that the families could get them for free. She is trying to make everyday living a little easier for these children and their families. For a small town we have a quite a few day cares and I know that it is expensive but some make it a little easier so that they can give the children in the community equal opportunity.
5. I think volunteering helped me understand more about what they provide for these children and how many children/families need help just in our community. I loved helping the children learn new things such as numbers, words, or even colors. I could not imagine doing this as a full time job, I like working with children but in small amounts and only a few at a time let alone multiple children for 8-10 hours a day. I did not realize how much daily planning went into day care and what all she has to do for meals/snacks. It was a great experience seeing the children’s faces when they learned something new or when it came to lunch and one said “I love the food you make us, I don’t get this at home”. Volunteering helped the children get more one on one time with an adult and the provider was able to do a few other things while I watched the children.