Savannah served 20 hours for the Engagement Team's Stop-N-Serve Program
What class is this for?
HON 201 with Duane D. Oakes
What tasks did you do at your service site:
I was the student lead for the Stop N-Serve project. In this role I contacted agencies, organized tabling events, and instructed students about the service projects.
What was your favorite part of your experience?
I particularly enjoyed finishing projects for agencies and then hearing how we helped make a difference in the community.
What was your biggest impact through this project?
The biggest impact this project made would probably be for Maricopa Animal Care and Control. We made about 100 dog toys for the animals in the shelter. As a bonus the toys were upcycled from old towels so we are doing the environment a favor as well!
What have you gained from this experience?
This project really helped me learn how to lead with goals. It was important to see the big picture of what we were doing, as well as what needed to be accomplished on and individual basis with agencies and student helpers.
What concepts did you understand better from your class (if it's service-learning) or on the subject or (if it is civic engagement) after serving at your service site?
Serving with Stop N-Serve brought home to me the value of effective communication. I spent a lot of time talking to various agencies as well my supervisor and the other student volunteers helping out with the project, and clear communication was necessary to keep the project running smoothly.
Bailey served 195.5 hours at Jumpstart
What class is this for?
REC282AA with Duane D. Oakes
What tasks did you do at your service site:
I did my service-learning with Jumpstart, which is a nonprofit organization that prepares preschool-aged children from under-resourced communities for kindergarten, through language and literacy programming. While serving with Jumpstart, I had the pleasure of being a corps member. As a corps member, I implemented the Jumpstart curriculum in a preschool classroom and served as an aid to the classroom teachers.
What was your favorite part of your experience?
Overall, my service-learning experience was transformative and it was a great way to give back to my community and to make a lasting impact. Becoming a Jumpstart corps member was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What have you gained from this experience?
Furthermore, through Jumpstart, I had the privilege of inspiring young children, being part of a team, serving my local community, and developing a skill set that will help me in all my future endeavors.
What concepts did you understand better from your class (if it's service-learning) or on the subject or (if it is civic engagement) after serving at your service site?
While serving as a corps member, I learned more about the importance of play; observing the benefits first hand. Play, which is how children learn best, increases creativity, fine motor skills, innovation, self-confidence, connections and so much more. In witnessing these benefits, my time with Jumpstart inspired me to develop my own sense of play.
Paul served 93.1 hours at Webster Recreation Center
What class is this for?
REC282AA with Duane D. Oakes
What tasks did you do at your service site:
I helped work with youth at the activity center and helped them play indoors and outdoors with games and sports to help them have a safe fun experience.
What was your favorite part of your experience?
Hanging out with the kids and helping them achieve their goals. Helping them with their school work and seeing them have a good experience.
What have you gained from this experience?
A sense of accomplishment. I learned how to work with youth at the school and how to have fun with them and help them have fun.
What concepts did you understand better from your class (if it's service-learning) or on the subject or (if it is civic engagement) after serving at your service site?
That students are very connected to technology and when they were with us they were not using the phones and they were outside playing having fun!
Mackenzie served 15 hours for her Recreation 120 Class
"I did my service-learning at the Phoenix Zoo. While serving at the Phoenix Zoo I learned much about their different conservation efforts and educational programs. The Phoenix Zoo raises millions of dollars each year in order to provide funding for local conservation and beautiful, unique, animal exhibits. I had the pleasure to work and serve as a Monkey Village volunteer. This animal exhibit is the only one of its kind and is home to sixteen Squirrel monkeys. The exhibit lets visitors experience their habitat and actually enter an enclosure in which there are monkeys swinging from trees and crossing in front of guests. I learned so much about the habitat and the Squirrel monkeys that live there. I got to interact with guests and educate them on the behaviors and that particular monkey species. Overall it was a great learning experience and I look forward to continue volunteering at the Phoenix Zoo!" - Mackenzie