Project Link

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.   

Volunteering at Immanuel Lutheran Preschool

By: Elizabeth Hardy

1. I decided to volunteer at Immanuel Lutheran Preschool because I absolutely love working with children.

2. Volunteering at this preschool made a huge connection with what is discussed in FCS 4840 because it shows what type of families children are coming from. The children that are being raised today are our children of our future and it is very important to raise them with proper morals and values. Many people say you should never judge a book by its cover, but in the child care profession you have to. While volunteering at Immanuel Lutheran you can tell which child actually came from a family that's living in poverty or the "working poor". Volunteering at this preschool didn't just make to the information in the FCS 4840 course, but also the life span course, family perspectives, and family in crisis. It connects with life span development because I was able to work with different age groups. I was able to see the different age levels in children. It connects with family perspectives because in this course you discuss different age groups and also schools that are available for children. Finally, it connects with family in crisis because I was able to speak with a child whose family was going through a crisis. One of the child’s father was in the military and he had to go to a different state for a couple of months. The preschooler was very upset the day her father left and she waited patiently for her father to come home. In family in crisis you discuss military families and how it affects the children and the family as a whole.

3. While I was volunteering I was able to speak with many different teachers who just loved to teach and watch children's minds grow. The teacher that I observed was a woman who absolutely had a passion for teaching, she didn't teach for money but for the love she has for children. I was also able to talk to the director of the preschool. The director was able to give me good advice on how to run a preschool and how much work it is. I realized that in order to work with children you have to have a great amount of patience. Volunteering at the preschool made me think about how I want to run my preschool and what type of teachers to look for when opening my very own preschool. 

4. This preschool is great for the community because its education for children. There are some children who aren't able to go to preschool. Preschools are just the beginning of an educational journey for children and their minds. While the child in the community is growing the community is growing as well. The saying "it take a community/village to raise a child" is very true; whatever happens in the community/ village will affect the child and vice versa.

5. I really enjoyed volunteering at Immanuel Lutheran Preschool. I am very excited to start my career in the next year or so. The children and teachers have taught me a lot and I will make sure that I will take this on my journey to teaching.  Many teachers have lost the patience when dealing with children and I believe that it takes a person with a lot of patience and a nurturing person to teach children. I enjoy teaching children because it’s amazing to watch their faces light up when they learn something new. I was happy about doing this assignment because I enjoy talking about how children can help a community grow and how they affect the community.   

Salvation Army Volunteer Experience - Elise Redmond

1.      I volunteered at the Salvation Army back at home in Chicago.

2.      This volunteer experience definitely reflected concepts learned in class. I bagged and distributed different food items to those in needs. I instantly though about the discussion we had in class about those unfortunate individuals living in poverty as well as the working poor.

3.      While volunteering at the Salvation Army I met some wonderful people their. i met one lady and she really wanted to me to come back over the summer and work. I told her that I’m staying in Charleston and she told me that she was sad. We exchanged contact info and decided to keep in touch. The director of the food pantry recommended that I come home to do my internship their as well. I really enjoyed working with them. I met some genuinely nice people.

4.      I think this is very essential to the community. I think that the different food being distributed to those in need is great. Everyone can’t afford groceries and with the Salvation Army’s help is amazing. I can tell that those individuals who came to pick up food were very happy and appreciative.

5.      Overall this experience was great. I bagged different food items for a few hours then I ended up helping distribute the food bags. It was a learning experience and I was so happy to help those individuals in need. This experience definitely had an impact on my life; I am learning to not take things for granted. Those individuals who were less fortunate were so grateful to receive the food. I am so appreciative that I was able to volunteer with the Salvation Army and gain the experience and knowledge.

Takaia Butler(Project Link)-Midway Neurological & Rehabilitation Center

1. I volunteered my time to Midway Neurological and Rehabilitation Center in Bridgeview, Illinois, which services a reliable and comfortable stay for individuals with onsite 24-hour care service. I volunteered with the activity department for a one day service preparing the individuals for breakfast, lunch and both snacks breaks, assisting in activities.

2. I was able to work directly with individuals with disabilities and seeing and hear the different stories of their lives and how many of the individuals were homeless before coming into the center as well others on drugs. I was able to see how the individuals managed with their income and how they mostly lived under the poverty line, as well seeing how a lot of individuals lost connection with their family and friends.

3. I was able to see how each professional within the center worked handed and hand at providing the individual the best care and help possible. How the social services worked as a team with the nursing staff and the financial department staff, how the financial department worked side by side of the medical records department. I gained the knowledge that everyone works together to build the best stay and assure that the individual is getting the best possible care while in the center.

4. I believe that the service activity can allow those individuals who never worked with this population before a better understand of what their daily life consist of and allow them to see the perception that is mostly giving about nursing homes and rehabilitation centers are generally not always true.

 
5.  I really enjoyed working with the individuals I choose this center because I one day want to work with individuals with drug addictions or as a family services provider in general. This experience allowed me to get a better understand of the different things some of the individuals been through and what brought them into the center to live.

Teen Reach (Jessica Montanez)

Teen Reach

I dedicated my time at Teen Reach where I was able to gain so much knowledge about children with disabilities.Throughout this experience, I was able to use my knowledge from in class discussions for this unforgettable moment. Working around those children who had disabilities made me realize my passion for FCS. During my time with these children, I made sure that I was careful on how I spoke to these children. Many of the children that I worked with were from the ages of 12-17 years old. Most of these teen age students were very friendly and welcoming. They seeked help when they were completing their homework assignments, and they were very sociable and well respectful with questions that I asked. As a student, I have learned throughout several classes that these are children that we have to be careful with because they have many struggles and problems with their families and abilities. These after school programs are ways for them to help them with their struggles. Therefore, I tried my very best to be as caring and responsible when I am around them. 

When I worked with Teen Reach, I worked with the owner of this program. I can’t recall his name, but I know I met him twice. He was a wonderful person who helped me feel comfortable about working with his students. He was helpful with what I needed to do around with the children, and he made sure that I was always ok. I worked closely with him for the two days, and he taught me that these children at Teen Reach are very appreciative. They appreciate anything you do for them. He explained how I needed to just be aware of the conversations that go on around these children because sometimes they can be aggressive with one another. Sometimes they may have a horrible day because of something that is going on in their lives, or they something might have happened in school. So, it’s always important to ask them about their day when they walk into the building. One tip he gave me was that I should always smile and show them that everything is going to be ok. His advice and passion for his program was unbelievable. He also spoke to me about coming back at anytime to work with him and the children. Networking is a beautiful thing, and I believe that I have enjoyed this project the most. I have never enjoyed myself as much as I have did with Teen Reach. 

I believe that Teen Reach has a major impact in the Charleston community because there are so many people who are willing to dedicate time to those children that need extra attention and help. Working with Teen Reach, I realized that the workers at this program as so thankful and appreciative for their jobs. Sometimes people join jobs without being passionate about it, but with these workers they have shown their dedication and motivation. Teen Reach is helping so many families that need their children supervised. I think this is a beautiful place where they are making so many changes in lives, and I would love to come back and work here again. 

Overall, this project really made me think about life and how many children need role models. Even as a child, I always wanted to become a teacher or have a job where I can impact people’s lives. This experience just made me want to graduate already and help out other communities and families. I know that I will be a great social worker for students when I pursue my degree in FCS. My experience at Teen Reach has given me more motivation to work more with children who are in need of help. It’s always important to give back to the community, so I am willing to always help around when I can. I was so lucky to be involved with this program. I was so happy that I went back home to my parents talking about my experience, and how I want to return back to continue to dedicate more of my time. 

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.  

Molly McGuire- Meals On Wheels

Molly McGuire

Project Link

4/23/2013

Where the student volunteered their time

1)      I volunteered my time the Meals on Wheels organization in my hometwon. I helped prepare the meals at the Hospital and then delivered the meals to many different residents in my hometown. During the deliveries me and the other volunteer I was paired with would not only deliver the meal but also would bring a bagged lunch for later in the day and also would visit with the resident. Most of the individuals we saw were living in poverty, they were disabled, or they were just lonely.

How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the current FCS course (FCS 4840), and/or other FCS courses

2)      Volunteering for Meals on Wheels was a very eye opening experience and it reflected greatly on the education I have received here at Eastern Illinois University. In many of my courses we have discussed how older adults can feel lonely and how just taking some time out of your day to speak to someone can be very important to their health and wellbeing. I know that Meals on Wheels is much more than just delivering a meal to someone, it might be the only communication that person has the whole day. In my Aging in the Family class and in other courses we have discussed how depression due to isolation among the elderly is very common. Meals on Wheels is one way to reduce that isolation and ensure that individuals are getting the nutrients they need. Like we discussed in FCS 4840, older individuals might not have the mobility to get food, or they might not have the appetite to eat. Meals on Wheels can help in many different ways, not only eating.

How the student networked with other professionals while participating in the activity and what they GAINED from that networking

3)      While working with Meals on Wheels, I worked with a dietitian at the hospital while making the meals and I also worked with other volunteers who have very kind hearts and just want to help others. The dietitian showed us the different diets of some of the residents, this was very important for the residents because some had different medical problems that needed a special diet. The dietitian was very careful and showed all the volunteers how important it was to get everything just right. When we went out on the deliveries, I was paired up with an older woman who was very sweet. She always volunteers for the organization because she knows many of her friends count on the program and she cares for those people and wants to make sure that they are receiving food and comfort.

The potential effect the service activity and/or the service organization can have (or does have) on the community

4)      The effect this service has on the community is a great one and very important one. I know that the residents we delivered to were very grateful for our service, and they counted on it. If the Meals on Wheels program wasn’t available to these individuals then it would be very difficult or impossible for these individuals to have a healthy meal because of lack of money, mobility, or care from other people. I am happy that this service is available to older adults in my community.

A general reflection on the assignment (e.g., reactions, feelings, life lessons)

5)      I loved volunteering for this program. I realized how important it is for these types of programs to be available to older adults. There are so many things we take for granted, that older individuals might not have available to them due to different factors. Volunteering for this program it not only was an eye opener to this problem in my community but also I realized how little is really being done for the older population. Meals on Wheels is doing what they can and is an awesome organization. Although I feel like there are so many more services that I feel our community could create for individuals. I feel like the more people need to be aware of the Meals on Wheels service because they could always use more volunteers and I feel like others would be willing and would want to help they just need to be aware. I plan to volunteer with Meals on Wheels again soon.