Project Link-Rachel Frazier

Rachel Frazier

 FCS 4840

Project Link Assignment

Teen Reach & Jefferson Elementary School

  1.  I volunteered my time at two different places in Charleston. The first place I volunteered at was Jefferson Elementary School. I volunteered on April 12^th, from 12:30pm until 3:30 pm.  At the elementary school, they have an annual event called “Jefferson Fun Days.” At this event, I helped out in the gymnasium by playing an assortment of games with the children who were in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade. The second place I volunteered at was called Teen Reach. I volunteered from 3 pm to 5 pm on April 23^rd. At Teen Reach, I helped out with their after school program with children ranging from 10 years old until 16 years old. At Teen Reach, I helped out by playing games with the kids, coloring, and just talking to them.

2.  The two places I volunteered at reflects concepts I’ve learned in FCS 4840 and other FCS courses because at these places, there were numerous children who are living in extremely unsupportive households. At Jefferson elementary school and at Teen Reach, there were a lot of kids who have a hard home life, or an unsupportive family. In class, we learn all about families in crisis, so these two programs really help children stay on the right track. Jefferson Elementary School has fun activities to keep their students out of trouble, and Teen Reach has such a strong program to keep kids busy after school and provide much needed support that they need. Being an FCS major, we are always taught to never discriminate or judge others. I feel this is such an important concept, because being a volunteer, and someday a professional, it is so crucial to not judge or stereotype anyone under any circumstances.

3.  When I volunteered at Jefferson Fun Days and Teen Reach, I really felt like it gave me the chance to network with other professionals. When I volunteered at these places, each program wrote down my name, and I was told they saved it for their records. While volunteering, I made sure to always have a positive attitude and to try my best to engage with the kids. I was really happy when the directors and teachers said I did a good job, because it made me feel like I really made a difference. Although the places just took my names down and saved it, I feel that I gained a lot of networking through that alone. Because these places have my name in their records, they will remember that I was a volunteer and I worked well the children. Not only will these two places be great to put on my resume, if a future employer needs to talk to someone, I have the phone numbers to Teen Reach and Jefferson Elementary school, so they can confirm I worked well with the children.

4     4. I feel Jefferson Fun days and the Teen Reach programs both have such a strong impact on the community. Jefferson Elementary school has Jefferson Fun Days once every year, and I feel it really does make an impact on the children. Some students at this elementary school have a really hard home life, so having a day like this can be something they look forward to all year long. This is a day where the students can have fun, play games, and have one day where they don’t have to focus strictly on school work. Teen Reach is so important for this community because it is a safe place for children to go to after school who may not have the best support at home. So many kids who attend this program may not have any caregiver with them after school if it was not for Teen Reach. This program allows children to have supportive leaders and role models surrounding them. Teen Reach also is a place that can help children stay out of trouble, because they have positive people around them every day after school.

5        5. After volunteering at Teen Reach and Jefferson Fun days, I feel I really leaned just how many kids face struggles every single day just because they have a hard home life. At the elementary school and Teen Reach, it broke my heart to see how so many kids clearly lacked enough attention at home. There were multiple kids who came up to me who simply just wanted someone to talk to and tell how they were feeling. I thought Jefferson Fun Days was such a great program for children because it was a fun and energetic environment that allows them to have fun and interact with other students and volunteers. I also thought Teen Reach was an excellent program because it really helps numerous kids in so many ways. They provide homework help, snacks, movies, and most importantly, a supportive group of individuals who really want the best for these kids.