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.