Project LINK Harper Bowman

The location I chose to volunteer my time at was Winthrop Think College where I am currently employed but volunteered 15 unpaid hours for this project. The service activity reflected directly to the HDFS curriculum because I worked directly with individuals with disabilities, the parents of these adults, and created projects that would be beneficial to them not just now but continuing into the future. I was able to network with my fellow coworkers to help me establish activities that would fit each individual student I was working with somewhat (but not solely) based on their disability. Networking with my fellow coworkers and boss allowed for me to expand on the ideas I had previously thought of. Everyday that I work with Think College I am able to network with my coworkers and learn from them. These experiences allow for me to become better at my job because I am not just having my point of view but also someone else's. Some of my coworkers may know a student better than I do so their input in highly beneficial in me aiding the student. Winthrop Think College is already having a huge impact on not just the Rock Hill community but the Charlotte, Clover, Chester, and York communities. We have students that are from all different areas and their grow at Winthrop is recognized by those in their area. Another HUGE impact that Winthrop Think College is having is the knowledge that all of the peer mentors are gaining. The peer mentors that work or volunteer with Think College are not just Special Education or HDFS majors but these individuals are from an assortment of my majors across campus. This has had a great impact and been something that is continuing to help WTC grow. By having so many different peer mentors in different majors, this allows for others to learn about inclusion and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. I enjoyed this experience because since I wasn't technically working like I normally do, I was able to take in more because I wasn't just trying to help a student with their homework assignment. From my HDFS classes, I have realized how closely my occupation as a peer mentor relates to all that we have learned. I now truly am able to understand what great significance my job has not only on these students but mainly our community/world.. not to sound dramatic. The different lives that are able to be touched and taught from a small program consisting of 16 students is incredible. These lives that are not even just those whom are related directly to the program.

Hayley Keiser Volunteer Work

1. Where the student volunteered their time

I volunteered at multiple places, most of them were drop in events at one place for preparation for delivery of goods.

2. How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum

I learned that the work that we volunteer to do affects more than the people that we see. It affects the families behind the scenes that aren't able to care for themselves. During the time when I got to deliver the goods I was thinking about different ways that I could teach FLE courses on how to adjust to different life styles. I could also use it as a support system for people who are in trouble and do not seem to have anyone else.

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

I was able to meet local people in my community who do things that people typically overlook. I was able to meet other people too who volunteer and how they get the motivation to do so. I met people that I hope to stay in touch with to do more things with.

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

Taking a few hours out of the day to package meals or hand out meals for others makes such a big difference. I don't usually think about stuff like that but it reaches so many people and has a lasting effect.

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

I thought this was a good assignment, and in the end was not as much time as I thought it was going to be. In the end 15 hours is not really anything when you choose multiple places. The lasting impact this has on not just the students but the people we helped will be a lasting impact and hopefully make us more open to more work in the future.

Brittani Gunn- Lakeshore Christian Preschool

1. Where the student volunteered their time
     I volunteered my time at Lakeshore Christian Preschool in Fort Mill, SC.

2. How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum
     At Lakeshore Christian Preschool, I was able to implement the positive discipline and various ways to work with children so that they are able to reach their full potential. While at the Preschool I was responsible for looking over the children with Sam that is in the class, to make sure that all the children were being safe and doing what they were supposed to be doing. While also practicing positive discipline I also had the responsibility of helping with lunches and snacks for the children. Even though this is a Christian Preschool, the diversity that is there will help in the future when it comes to me working with children from many different cultures and social classes.

3. How the student networked with other professionals while participating in the activity and what they gained from that networking
     My networking with this preschool started when I first became friends with Samantha Matthews and meeting her mother who works at the preschool. While volunteering there I was also able to help the teachers there put up their new bulletin boards. I gained experience talking with those in the field of working with children and how to deal with children in certain circumstances through a hands on experience.

4. The potential effect the service activity and/or the service organization can have (or does have) on the community
      The impact that the preschool at Lakeshore Christian Preschool is an amazing place for children. The school provides a quality education and place for the young children. The effect this has on the community is that it brings a sense of belongness and a place for children to be with other children. The school incorporates religion and faith into their curriculum which is an important part of life to many people in society so the faith illuminates through to the community.

5. A general reflection on the assignment (e.g., reactions, feelings, life lessons)
      This assignment as a whole provided me with a time to set aside to observe children in the local neighborhood and how they are being taught in the classrooms. I was able to put many concepts into action from what I learned throughout the semester in this class. As a whole I truly enjoyed this assignment.

Amber Davis-The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County

11. Where the student volunteered their time

I volunteered my time at the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County in Camden, SC.

22. How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum

At the Fine Arts Center, I helped assist children in their afterschool program on Friday. I assisted the children with any homework that they had whether it was reading or studying. If a student didn’t have any homework I played games and activities with them. When the students left I got the chance to meet their parents so I was exposed to a lot of diversity this day with the kids as well as their parents. The next day, Saturday, the Fine Arts Center was putting on an art exhibit. I assisted them in setting up the various artwork, cleaning the gallery area, and over-all set-up for the event. The last day that I volunteered with them was on a Monday. During the after school time I assisted the children in the afterschool program with their schoolwork and played games with them. After the children went home I helped to set up for another event they were putting on. That night they had a play so I helped with set up, opening and closing the curtains, and I helped those in the play with whatever they needed. I assisted the children in their schoolwork and activities. I also assisted actors in the play with various things as well as helped the staff overall. During this volunteer experience I was exposed to diverse people, situations, and events. On each day, whether it was helping children, actors, or staff, I helped others and that is something that I am very passionate about and I personally feel like that is a huge part of the HDFS curriculum.

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

My networking for this volunteering started at the beginning. I have a friend back home in Camden who was able to get me in contact with the Fine Arts Center’s volunteer coordinator. Once I was volunteering I met a staff member who was curious about my major and career path. I explained to her my major and what I hoped to do in the future and she ended up knowing a lady who is doing research on family dynamics and child abuse and she said that she may need someone to assist her. This was so exciting for me because I was still in the process of looking for an internship and this one landed right into my lap. I ended up getting the internship with her friend and I'm looking forward to starting it next semester.

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

The impact that the afterschool program at the Fine Arts Center has on children and families is great. The program gives children a safe place to go after school while their parents are at work and also gives their parents a peace of mind knowing that their children are safe. The afterschool program has staff and volunteers who help children with their studies and activities. Since the Fine Arts Center is a place where many activities are held such as art galleries and plays, the afterschool program also helps and encourages the children to get out of their comfort zone, discover who they are as a person, and encourages them to get creative. The Fine Arts Center also encourages others to get creative by offering various classes and events on art and theatre.

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

This assignment overall was very enjoyable for me. When I was in elementary and middle school I took art classes at the Fine Arts Center was it was so fun to come back and help children who were involved in the same things I was once involved in. I remembered looking up to those who helped me when I was in the class and afterschool program so I felt like these children were looking up to me and it really made me feel happy that I was able to help children whether it was in academics, art, or just be a distraction for them before they went home.

Volunteer work-Kelsey Ballou

1). I volunteered my time at three different organizations. The first one was Ebenezer elementary where I read to kindergarten class, and then helped at the Winthrop Coliseum when the athletic department put on a, “Fitness day”. The day consisted of the elementary school kids doing various activities to promote fitness. These activities included, basketball, soccer, and a track and field relay event! I also helped at Park Methodist church with their annual pumpkin patch. I helped set up the pumpkin patch one Sunday which was a lot more time consuming and physically demanding than I thought but the people that go to that church were so grateful to have so many college kids to help them. I then helped them on the weekends when they officially started to sell pumpkins, most of the proceeds went to helping their youth programs go on mission trips. Finally, I volunteered at the United way over Thanksgiving break while I was at home. I helped assist with the food drive.

2). When I was volunteering at Park Methodist church I started to think about the types of FLE programs that could use the church as a meeting location. The church itself has various FLE programs, for example, an older woman was telling me about how parents can meet every Wednesday to discuss parenting strategies and how to use the Lord to strengthen their parenting techniques. Couples can also be counseled here and are able to go to a free event each month where they are given helpful tips on how to sustain a happy healthy marriage. Although these events are all Christ Centered and an FLE program should usually not have any type of affiliation that will stop it from being inclusive to all, the programs themselves seemed very helpful for the church community itself.

I loved that Winthrop was able to put on the Fitness Day for the Ebenezer students because showing kids how fun it can be to stay active and exercise at an early age is so important. We have an obesity epidemic in our country and this was an opportunity to get kids excited about exercise and staying healthy while also introducing them to what exactly college is.  It was a great display of two schools coming together to share one’s recourses with the other, which is how communities should be! They’re especially optimal places for FLE programs to grow.

My time at the United Way was also another great opportunity to see how the community is so important in terms of helping those who are underprivileged.  So many people donated canned goods and quite a few were there to help make sure the food was given to those who needed it. FLE is all about using your recourses and United Way definitely did this by using those in their community who had enough recourses to help those who didn’t.

3). If I have learned anything from college it is the importance of networking, I have been given a lot of opportunities because I knew the right people. By volunteering my time, I was able to build relationships with a diverse group of people who will one day be able to help me if I need anything. Especially the people over at the Winthrop Coliseum, they will be able to help me tremendously in terms of educated related things. My time with the United Way also helped me meet people in my very own community back home that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

4). I will admit that at first I didn’t want to do this assignment because fifteen hours outside of class seemed like a lot, but when it is broken up it really isn’t that bad and the feeling you get afterwards makes it all worth it! I love the different FLE programs that I was able to see in real life and meeting the people that are behind the scenes was a great experience, especially if I wish to pursue the FLE career.

Perdina Brisbon Boyd Hill Community Center

Where the student volunteered their time 

I volunteered at the Boyd Hill Community center in Rock Hill, SC.

How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum

At the Boyd Hill community center, I was served a mentor for young children helping them with a variety of things from personal skills to homework. I got the opportunity to teach and create fun activities for the students. I also got to experience diversity with the kids and the parents who came in.

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

I got to network with a lot of other Winthrop students who enjoy working with children. I got to network with figures in the Boyd Hill community like the local police officer that serves the Boyd Hill community and others in the community who come in and teach lessons to children. From this networking I have gained a lot of new contacts a lot of insight of what the Boys Hill community needs and how I can create better programs as a future FLE .

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

The impact that this afterschool program has had on the children is amazing it gives them a safe place to come, help with homework and a place have fun. This afterschool program keeps the children in the community from getting into trouble and it also provides resources to the kids and families. While I was volunteering at the community center two events were held the Halloween Spooktacular and breakfast with Santa. Both events invited the families in the community out to have fun during the holidays.

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

Overall this was a fun assignment for me I love working with children and it also gave me a break from school and time to have fun with kids. The children looked forward to seeing college students because they think that we are “cool” and they really look up to the college students that come and help them. From this experience I learned a lot about myself and this experience has also helped me with my vision of what I want to do with my degree after graduation. I also learned a lot about the Boyd Hill community. 

Shakina Frasier: Tender Hearts Ministries

1.     Where the student volunteered their time

I volunteered my time at Tender Hearts Thrift Store in Rock Hill, SC.

2.     How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum

The service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum because the thrift store is just one entity of the entire Tender Hearts Ministries Outreach Program. The thrift store sells discounted clothing, shoes, books, movies, toys, appliances, furniture, jewelry, paintings, and bed linens to help those affected by poverty be able to afford the basic necessities in life that others are privileged to have. Tender Hearts Ministries has an outreach program for women specifically who have been in domestic violence situations and need to start over with their children or the women may just be down on their luck and need some extra assistance. Tender Hearts Ministries offers housing, access to the food pantry, as well as a GED program, and a job assistance program. The HDFS curriculum is all about finding ways as an FLE to help others who may not know where to get help or how to start. Tender Hearts Ministries is all about educating the women that they help, and helping them to realize that there is better out there, and they can achieve it. No matter what their circumstances might be. Also at Tender Hearts Ministries, many of their employees are adults who have exceptional needs. The adults that I worked with were from across the spectrum and they are given jobs at Tender Hearts Ministries to have a part in their community and live a regular life, providing for themselves by going to work every day.

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

During my time at the Tender Hearts Ministries Thrift Store I was able to network with the two in store managers that have been working at the Thrift Store for years and hold it near and dear to their hearts. It was beneficial for me to see them so passionate about the services that they can provide to the community of Rock Hill. Neither one of the managers have college degrees in HDFS or Social Work but they did let me know that, all you need to have to help others in their time of need is a big heart and no judgement. They said all that to say that, you never know what someone is going through and it takes a lot of courage for someone to breakdown and say that they need help. So, when they come to you, be as open minded and nonjudgmental as possible.

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

Tender Hearts Ministries has a huge effect on the Rock Hill community, in my opinion. Tender Hearts gives back to the community in many ways; their outreach include, the thrift store, food pantry, and women’s program. Tender Hearts is always accepting donations as well, I think that my favorite part of the thrift store is that the items that are sold, are not worn or damaged; there are some great clothing items and other things being sold there. So, for the people of Rock Hill that are being affected by poverty to be able to go in this store and afford nice things is a great thing, because in their minds they probably feel as though it was not possible.

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

Overall this was a great experience for me, going into it, I thought that it was going to be boring and I would not enjoy it because the description on Eagle Impact was that they needed volunteers to hang up clothes. But my mind was quickly changed on the very first day I was there, yes, I tagged and hung up clothing for most of my time there but the interactions I had the connections that I made were worth it. I have a better appreciation for adults with exceptional needs as well because they can function in this world just like anyone else, they just need someone to believe in them and give them the means to do so. Life lessons that I learned were that you must be mindful of not what you say but how you say it, love everyone, and be open minded.