Teen Reach

On Tuesday May 29, 2012, I volunteered with Teen Reach here in Charleston. I worked with underprivileged children of Charleston and we went swimming. This service activity reflected the concepts learned in class by this quality of daycare. The program is only offered 1pm to 5pm so most of these children are at home alone in the morning or with a lot of older sibling. Most the children expressed how much the love going to Teen Reach to get away from home and all their other siblings. Teen Reach is a privilege to them because C.J. (the director) has them turn in their report cards. If their report cards aren’t up to standard then they cannot participate during the summer activities. I networked with professionals while working at Teen Reach because C.J. was willing to talk to me and explain the program. In the future I could see myself being the director of an after school program for underprivileged children and working at Teen Reach opened my eyes to ideas. I loved the idea of checking the grades so that the program is seen as a reward and not a right. I learned from C.J. that one must be upbeat and lifting to the children while also seen as a disciplinary. It seemed as if all the children look up to him and respect him for what he is doing for them. The organization has a huge effect on the community. Since the program has started, C.J. said, that all of their grades have improved. This program also keeps children from being at home alone when who knows what could happen. Finally this program helps the children build social skills. If they are at home alone they wouldn’t be interacting with adults or peers but being at Teen Reach they are learning critical social skills. I loved this assignment because I got to work with the children of Teen Reach. I have worked there before, not as much as I would like, and every time I have a blast. The children of Teen Reach really look up to the students of EIU that go there to help and if I can be a role model for one of them then I will be happy. This time it was hard to work with the children because we were at the pool and they didn’t know me. If I could do it over I would ask to be introduced to the children at the center instead of them just staying in the van while I loaded snacks and met them there. After a while at the pool they started to hang out with me but they really wanted to hang out with their friends. I would still do it over everyday to be at the pool with the children to watch them and make sure they have appropriate role models in their lives.

--Mary Lane