Conceptual change

 Initially I was timid to correct bad behavior.  Things like, throwing milk cartons in the cafeteria, jumping on furniture. These children aren't mine should I correct them?   I noticed that the regular staff rule with an iron fist firm but full of love. 

Friday, I caught a little boy scaling the book case in the activity room.  Before I even thought about it I ran over and pulled him down.  I told him "we don't that here, you could be hurt and that would make me sad".  He apologized!  Ms. S was observing the whole interaction, she smiled and said "good job".  The rest of the day it was easier to reset bad behavior, just like with my own children.  As far as my nursing practice, I have never been timid as far as interacting with clients but I will say there is renewed directness because of this experience.

Interpretation

Interpretation - The first course I took at Regis included a service learning opportunity. Service is a core value to the mission.   I chose working with children then and now mainly because they are potentially the most underserved and most vulnerable.    There is also a potential to become a victim or an offender.  You have a small opportunity to affect the life of a child, to help them grow up happy and healthy. 

Before beginning this service learning experience we learned much about what we should and could do to assist the underserved but realizing the impact after performing service brings all of the academic materials into focus.  You realize one person can make a difference, even if is for a short time.

I had the assumption that perhaps I would not be welcomed.  You see most of the children are minority.  I had volunteered there before and found the complete opposite.  If I was open the children were open. 

Community Service

Community service is important as it allows us to not only help and contribute in our communities but it allows us to make a difference and possibly help shape the path of another person.

I began the service learning experience at an after school program.  The program is hosted at an old school that was closed.  It smelled like an old school, a bit stuffy.   There is a small amount of federal funding for food but activities (games, toys, art supplies) are donated.  The age of the children are 5 - 17.  During the school year, children arrive shortly after school, there is help with homework and at around 3:30pm a meal is served.  At first I thought the meal was a little heavy for a snack.  I mentioned something to another volunteer.  She smiled and whispered "this will probably be all the children have to eat until they get to school tomorrow".  It broke my heart.  After dinner, I offered to read a book.  I chose Rainbow Fish (my son loved that book when he was small).  I never had such an attentive audience!  Hung on my every word.  On my way home I reflected was it the attention that they responded to or the attention from an adult?  I expected the children to be unruly, nothing could be further from the truth.  Polite, for the most part, open to new experiences.