Jonte' Sowell- York County First Steps

1. I volunteered all 15 of my hours  at the York County First Steps office. 
2.  York County First Steps is a non-profit organization. Family has been the center of our class all semester. Family is one of the core aspects that first steps focuses on. They also focus on the best ways to reach a family rather it is educating them or advocating for them. I was able to learn about who they partner with  and how they are beneficial to their organization. Partnership was another topic in class. Mr. David Lisk, my supervisor, told me how partnering with other organizations has helped to increase the number of families they reach each year. I also loved learning that they work with many child development centers and preschools personally to make sure that they providing the adequate services that are needed for the children to be successful. Lastly we worked on their advertisements. We created and labeled brochures, post cards, made phone calls and more. This service activity help to bring class concepts to life.
3. I did not only work with Mr. Lisk but i was able to work with his assistant, the first steps advocate, and an early interventionist that partners with them. I was able to learn a little more about the program from working with each one of them. By working with the advocate of first steps i got a glance at what the organization does when it comes to family. On this particular day the goal was to help a low income family find an affordable apartment that worked with their benefits. I saw the time and patients it took to try to set up a walk through as the beginning of the apartment hunting. I also had the benefit to help create an activity for one of the early interventionist's families. Even though each person had their own task, each individual demonstrated the importance of working together and keeping the communication open. 
4. The organization does a lot for the community. They hold a conference every year for groups and individuals to help better the participates in the best way that they can. First steps also makes personal visits to schools and holds programs for families to come to. They are great advocates, trying to make sure the needs of these families are met. They don't settle for the basics. Each staff  member shows passion and drive for the task that they are assigned to do.  As long as First Steps continues to reach out and put their all into what they believe in, they will continue to have a positive impact on the community. 
5. I enjoyed volunteering here so much that i am continuing. I loved the welcoming vibe that i felt from my first day going to volunteering. They were encouraging and made me really excited to start my career. They made the power points from class a reality. I was given insight on a field that i really want to make a difference in. I learned that you can make your mark with your gifts and talents. To use what you are good at to make yourself  beneficial to the ones around you.