Shelby Alexander

1. Where the student volunteered their time

I volunteered at the Adult Enrichment Center.

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

This center is a place where adults and teenagers, who have disabilities or just are not able to stay at home alone, are able to come during the day. They have a bus that picks them up in the morning and then will take them home in the evenings. They go on trips occasionally. This reflected what I have learned in the HDFS curriculum because this is a resource for those with disabilities. This is a place that they can come and be surrounded by staff who design different activities for the clients to participate in during the day. In one activity, they talked about different social media and how to work with the internet.

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

 I have volunteered at the Adult Enrichment Center before. On my last day volunteering, Mrs. Sam, the lady in charge of hiring and volunteers, told me that if I ever needed a job that I should come to her and she would see what she could do for me. Volunteering again gave me the opportunity to further that conversation. I was able to talk to her about the different jobs that they have at their facility (working on the floor, helping with breakfast/lunch, working with the teenagers/young adults, working with the elderly). She was able to give me more information and I am actually considering doing my internship here.

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

This organization really effects the community in a positive way. It gives our small town a local resource that many can take advantage of. It can give the families of those attending the program a peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in a safe space, with staff who truly care about them and are very focused on making sure they are taken care of.

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

I really enjoy this organization. They are all so friendly to the clients they have and any visitors. You can tell that they really care about those who come to the program. Most of the clients have some sort of disability and all of the staff are trained well and make sure that they get any medicine they need on time. They make sure they are comfortable (temperature wise, where they are sitting, etc.). They play games like bingo and indoor volleyball and it is just so rewarding to see how excited the clients get when they are engaging in those activities.