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Katelynn McGuire

1.       For this assignment, I volunteered my time at a Head Start program in Orland Park. 

2.       Children that are placed into this program come from many different types of backgrounds.  Many of the families that have their children attend this school have come from a very low income if any.  This program offers children breakfast and lunch because it was only a half day program, since the children involved are very young.  They also go over basic essentials like how to brush their teeth, wash their hands, and other necessities that should be known to get through the day properly.  The school also gives these children a head start on informing and teaching them concepts that they wouldn’t know till their first day of kindergarten.  The teacher also provides some students with snacks to take home if she knows of a particular family that is really struggling to feed their child that month. 

3.       I really enjoyed my experience of working with the Head Start program.  I was able to communicate effectively not only with the head teacher in the classroom, but also the parents of some of the children that were in the program.  The parents had nothing but great comments about the program and how it has not only benefited their children but themselves as well.  One woman told me that because of the program she was able to go out and get a day job that otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to have because of the fact that no one would have been able to watch her daughter.  I also had the opportunity to talk to the director of the whole building for a couple of minutes at the end of my time and expressed to her how much I really enjoyed my time and how big of a difference I see being made with the children that are able to get into the program.  At the end of my visit, I actually was told that I could come back whenever I would like to volunteer and now plan on volunteering throughout some of the summer.  From this experience, I have gained knowledge and experience of what it is like to be in a Head Start classroom and loved it.  I now have actually made this an option for myself, as a potential career path that I may want to go down one day. 

4.       This service can have and already has made a tremendous impact on the community and families.  Unfortunately, not everyone can get into the program and there are other children who do need this help that the head start program is offering.  This program is not only helping those children who are less fortunate have a somewhat normal life experience, but also giving them food so their children don’t go on throughout the night with a starving stomach.  There instilling values, morals, and knowledge that some parents don’t have the time to teach their children because of certain circumstances they are under.  This program is essential because it means that every child no matter their race or culture matters.  It means that we care about the youth of America and that we are willing to provide a little more to the children whose parents can’t afford to provide it to them.  It’s giving children in our community who aren’t as fortunate to have the equal opportunity to be just as successful as those who were.

5.       This volunteering experience has really been an eye opener as to how many children today are going through life without the basic necessities.  It showed me that people not only around the world, but people in the town that I live in need help with providing their children with a better life.  This is something that I can honestly see myself doing in my future. I absolutely loved the program and I loved the opportunity it gave to the parents and children that are in need.  I feel that I got more out of my volunteering than the children did just because I felt a sense of self when I was done with this experience.  It is something that I definitely want to be involved in and pursue as I continue down my professional path.