Jennifer Yvonne Cannon
   

I volunteered for a non for profit called HEY GURL(Girls Under Reconstruction Accomplishing Life).  This organization is located in Maywood, IL, a western suburb of Chicago.  The purpose of this organization is to provide mentor ship and a positive network for girls in the community.  The service activity I helped the organization with a sexual assault and awareness event. Prior to the organization’s event, there were three sexual assaults within the community.  As discussed in class, we learned that sexual assault affects the individual and the family unit as a whole. By assisting speakers who told testimonies, and provided expert opinions I was able to network with professionals by listening to their stories, and engaging in conversation with all participants of the event.  By doing so, I was able to gain insightful information on the topic of sexual assault.  Through the organization’s event on sexual assault, I believe the community became more aware of the issue. Although, members knew about the sexual assaults that occurred in the community, this event gave them an outlet to express their concerns and take a stance on the issue. Overall, I think the organization is power instrument for the community as a whole. Although HEY GURL is geared towards women, I believe it has the potential to touch the lives of many.

New Life Covenant Life Church (Children's Ministry): Kids-4-Jesus

I volunteer at New Life Covenant Church (Children Ministries): Kids-4-Jesus. The lesson that was given demonstrated after everybody walk out on you, reject you, or does not want to be bother with you; God is always there to show you unconditional love. It also showed treat others how you want to be treated, and do not judge before getting to know the individual. Working with the other staff we had to come together as one to make sure the children understand but make sure it was age appropriate. The children learned when they interacted with their peers it would be different from how other children their age would handle the situation. For example if a child goes to school with a child that is behaving badly he or she will try their best to be friends with that individual.  They have learned from church that everyone is different in their own way and realize we still have to treat them with respect.

After volunteering in the Children Ministries our children still need our attention. Just like adults children have hurt and pain. The children deal with their feelings different than adults. Even though these children come to church they still are growing and learning. I have to remember all children are not the same and no matter how I try to put them in the same category they still are unique. Some of the children need one on one whiles other would try to be a teacher helper. But they are next future leaders. The bible teaches us “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”.

Sharrell Stanley

Volunteer Service

I have done my volunteer work at PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) in Mattoon. PADS provides shelter, hot meals, and guidance through various agencies of Coles County. We have learned how family live in poverty. We have also learned the different resources that are available for individuals or families that live in poverty. Some people are qualified to receive some aids from the government. They receive aids such as food stamp, health insurance etc. but it seems as others are not qualified for these kinds of aids. Those who are not are receiving support somehow. Providing a shelter and food for these people is one way that the government is doing to help these people. PADS provides shelter, meal for people. Some people go there every day to eat. They go there twice a day, for lunch and dinner. They even sleep there sometimes. There is one large room for them and it is divided into three sections, one section was for women and the other two were for men.  There is a bathroom there to take their shower. They can even do their laundries in that shelter. I networked with other professionals in some ways.  The professional provide the service, I did not provide any service but I was at one of the shelter to help, by preparing the meal for people who go to the shelter to get their daily meal. Professionals provide help for people who are in need. Even though people who go there to receive the service were not there to thank me for cooking the meal for them, they will still appreciate my help because I used my time to prepare a meal for them. Even the community will appreciate someone for doing a good thing. Helping one another is not a bad thing. And it is never a waste of time. The community will always appreciate the kindness of its people.

I have never participated in this kind of service, but I was glad that I did. Somehow I felt sorry for these people then I realized that I don’t have to pity anyone. Anyone can end in this situation. No one knows what brought them there, meaning no one knows how they end being in that situation (living in poverty). And as future professional, I don’t have to pity anyone but instead find a solution to their problem. I was glad I helped in cooking their meal, and I am will to keep helping. I actually told the director that I will come again to help cook the meal. I will provide supplies next time I go there. This will be another way that I can help.

Maguy Kanam

My Experience by Courtney Akins

 I decided to go home and volunteer with an non for profit group that I use to be involved with in highs chool.  CEP Youth Leadership now known as The Leadershop in Lagrange, IL.  They had their annual Summer Kick off where you can meet alumni and you can also meet new youth that are in the group.  The group is programed to help young kids and young adults make I difference in the community and in the world.  The group helps under privilege kids also by providing them with a positive way to be involved with the community.  The kids that are underprivileged are kids that actually live in a group home because of family issues.  Sometimes their parents are on drugs, can’t afford to take care of them, or send them so they can have a better opportunity than they did.  This related to Fcs because we talked about how kids don’t have any place to go after school or just to a place safe to get away from home problems and that will also be a positive influence on their life.  During this activity I networked with some of my old peers, some of the new kids that are in the program and people in the community.  I feel like a gained a sense of appreciation for the group because it helped me not only meet new people because I didn’t have many friends in high school, I gained new friends and I also gained a love of service with this group.  The affect the service has on the community is incredible because they have came a long way from helping about 500 kids to now helping over 1,000 kids.  I know the group is keeping a lot of students out of trouble because they show they care what’s going on in their life and what their future holds.   Overall I enjoyed this assignment because it aloud me to return to my old town and give back to the people that helped me a lot during my high school years.  I also enjoyed meeting the new kids and I plan on volunteering even more now especially when I get a chance.

Courtney Akins

I volunteered at an organization named Highsight. HighSight is a non-profit organization that gives under privileged teenagers the opportunity to attend a private high school. A lot of these teenagers have had a rough past and are trying to take the right path and go to a good high school. The director Mark is a very kind gentleman and took a major decrease in his salary when he left his job and decided to help this organization full time. I helped these teenagers with homework but mostly I was their outlet because they have so much going on in their life that sometimes they just want someone to talk to. A lot of the kids can’t really talk to their parents because they are always working so that’s where this organization is helpful to them.  This service activity reflected concepts learned in class. It thought me to assume diversity and not judge any child that might be acting out; you don’t know what’s going on in their life until you talk to them.  I talked to other professionals in the organization and gained a lot of insightful information on why they work for the organization and continue to make it as successful as it is.  

This service organization has a positive impact on the community and encourages other teens to want to succeed. They also have others resources that are available to families. I enjoyed this assignment because it was good to know that I gave back to the community and helped someone who is disadvantaged.

Patricia Flores  

Dr. Taylor's FCS 4840- B.Miller volunteer

On May 29 and June 5 I volunteered for the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL at The Caring Place. While volunteering I worked with sixteen two year old children. While interacting with the children I was able to observe the developmental differences of the children that were raised in various environments and cultures. It was interesting to see how the children reacted to myself and how they interacted with their peers. From this experience, and learning about disadvantage in society, I was more aware of why a child might isolate themselves from others and what might cause them to behave a certain way. During my time at The Caring Place I conversed with the teachers, and was able to gain more insight as to why some of the children behaved a certain way. By doing this I was able to adjust how I dealt with certain situations. The teachers were excited to have me do volunteer work in their classroom for the reason that they had just recently gained seven additional two year old children and there were only two teachers, until they are able to hire another teacher. By having me in the classroom I was able to help them with numerous tasks to ease their work load. They have expressed their appreciation for having another adult in their classroom to help. I enjoyed my time at The Caring Place and I plan on volunteering at Carle for the rest of the summer. I am glad that I can give of my time to help a child care facility that needs more people to help care for children that are currently there.

For my project link assignment, I volunteered at Teen Reach. The first time I offered to volunteer, CJ, the director of Teen Reach forgot to mention the kids where going to the community pool that day; and therefore, I was unable to go because I had no money on me or my swim suit. However, I called again, and this time I was prepared to go swimming. Teen Reach is a program that reaches out towards kids of all ages who are underprivileged. CJ, the director is very warm and welcoming and loves the children he works with. He is a great role model to the kids and makes a huge impact towards this community.  He checks each child’s grades to make sure they are working hard in school and keeping their grades up. If the child does poorly, then he/she has to take summer school and once they finish summer school they are then able to join CJ and the other kids in activities such as going to the lake, pool, or parks. Since its summer it’s important for them to hang around their friends, relax and just to have fun. These kids are able to build their social skills by interacting with one another and their counselors. In addition, CJ also wants the kids to know how to behave in public. Children may not have the privilege to do any of these activities because their parents are unable to take them or they don’t want to. I also liked that the program had their own transportation to pick up the kid’s from their homes because parents may be busy, or unable to do it themselves. This program allows kids to not be stuck at home all day and to actually enjoy their summer. It allows them to have something to look forward to everyday. Another benefit of the program is kids are probably staying out of trouble. I was surprised to hear the kid’s living conditions, which was living in sheds or sharing a room with multiple siblings. Looking at these kids and interacting with some of them, you could never tell they were living in conditions like these.  I’m glad they are able to go somewhere for the day to get away from their family and just have fun and forget about things for a while. I really enjoyed my experience at Teen Reach. I really wish I could stay here all summer so I could volunteer more and get to know everyone better.  I think it’s important for kids to have good role models. I think it’s a good idea for college students to volunteer there more because it could really motivate a child to do better in school and to dream about going to college someday. I will defiantly be volunteering in the fall, since the kids need help with homework and board games every day is not necessarily fun.