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.