Project LINK- MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)

Project LINK- MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 

 

By: 

Nicole Latz 

1.       I volunteered for non-profit organization called MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). This program takes place in Matton, IL., at the First Baptist Church. This organization provides guidance to mothers through different activities they partake in. While doing that their children are watched by volunteers.

2.       This service activity represented what I have learned in FCS 4840 and other FCS classes because it taught me a lot of disadvantaged families and what it can bring. I participated in two different programs through MOPS. One of the programs is on Mondays where people through the Eastern community or other volunteers come to watch young children. We give the children snacks, instruct them in learning activities, watch them, and also play with the children. While doing this the mother’s are in educational programs through their church. On Thursdays there is a separate program where the children that the volunteers watch are young children with teen mothers. This program is called Teen MOPS. The same activities happen with the children, but instead the parents are getting education on how to be a teen mother. This program I feel is great not just for the teen moms, teen moms, but also the children. This allows the children to also interact with other kid’s their age, participate in structured activities, and also get a nice meal and snack that is provided to them. Also, one of the days I went to volunteer the teen moms were participating in Girls on the Run. By providing these activities it can give girls great guidance.

3.       Through doing this activity I was able to network with others. The lady in charge of the program Sarah is very kind and open to help others. She has started the program and has expanded it greatly. Through talking to her I have seen how much she has done to help others and help the teen moms and children involved.

4.       This program can and already has had a great impact on the community. It is a non-profit organization that is provided to people with in that church and even the community. It gives the parents of these children time for themselves with other adults or teens their age. It provides education and ways of giving their own community service back to the community. It also provides their children structured and educational time with other children their age. It is also a great way for the kids to unwind before going home with a relaxing time to just be themselves. Also, it provides the children with snacks and something to eat. Some of the families that participate in the program do not always have that structured family, or time to spend with one another. They cannot always provide for their children either. This program is a great way to provide these things the children even if it is just one night.

5.       I really enjoy in participating in the MOPS program. I feel it is a great way for me to give back and give my time. By me giving my time I have allowed time for these mothers’s to relax and have time to themselves. I also really enjoy this program because I know I am making a difference on the children. I am providing them with guidance, and I am also just letting them enjoy themselves. It is not so structured that the children cannot have fun, but it is more so free time for them with other peers. I feel this is a great program, and has many benefits.

Project LINK- Gowin Park

 

By: Kristy Kolzow

 

1.)    I volunteered my time at Gowin Parc which is located in Mattoon, Illinois. Gowin Parc is a residential living facility for people with Alzheimer’s or other related dementia. This facility gives a secure home, environment, and service 24 hours a day. The staff create an environment that keep dementia patients functioning at their highest levels and maintain independence in every day living.

2.)    This activity really reflected concepts learned in my FCS courses. I just finished a three weekend class called Aging and the Family so going to Gowin Parc really put everything from my class into perspective. In this class we learned the different struggles that people go through during the aging process. FCS professionals work with people who are disadvantaged whether it is mentally, physically, or emotionally. Being at Gowin Parc and working with individuals who have Alzheimer’s or dementia really showed that.

3.)    While volunteering my time at Gowin Parc I networked with a couple different professionals. I first called Gowin Parc to talk about coming in to volunteer and I talked to a man named Doug. Doug told me I could come in any day of the week because they love to have volunteers. When I got there one of the girls that worked there was short staffed so I told her I would do anything that she needed. She and Doug then asked me if I would like a job here and handed me an application. So networking and going in to volunteer not only made me enjoy the experience at Gowin Parc but possibly just gave me a job for the Spring Semester.

4.)    If you go to the Gowin Parc website the first thing you can see is a quote and I felt like it explains the facility perfectly. It says, “We studied hundreds of conventional nursing homes… and then built the opposite.” This facility provides 24 hour care to disadvantaged elderly people. Some of the things they provide are a compassionate staff, a home like environment where neighbors are a part of a community, special lighting, memory boxes, indoor and outdoor track, and easy accessible bathrooms. The people who work here don’t let the people who they care for’s disability take over their life. Family members who can no longer take care of these individuals can bring them to a very warm and helpful environment without having to worry. They offer a quality of life.

5.)    I am really glad that we had to do this assignment. I have worked with children most of my life so this assignment really made me go out of my norms and work with a different group of people. It made me have so much love for the elderly and also made me want to go back and volunteer there more or possibly work there. You could tell that some of these people just wanted someone to talk to and I was that person to them. It not only made me feel good but also made me realize what facilities the Coles County area has. I didn’t know Gowin Parc existed until I did research to find a place to volunteer. It was an amazing experience to interact with all these different people for this assignment.

 

Samantha Jowers Girls on the run

                                 

                                    Samantha Jowers- Girls on the run

I volunteered for Girls on the run, which took place at the YMCA in Mattoon, Illinois. I was assigned to keep traffic from coming through the running area. I was also supposed to write inspirational sayings in chalk and cheering the runners on. I was assigned to work on the corner that was a block from both the beginning and end of the finish line.

How the student networked with other professionals while participating in the activity and what they GAINED from that networking

I was able to make connections with other Eastern students that gave their time. I was able to gain connections with other people who are interested in making a difference in people’s lives.

It gives young girls confidence and continually helps support the confidence of young girls. It creates bonds between young girls and their trainers that help them create skills that last throughout life.

This was an amazing opportunity. I had the opportunity to meet new people. I also had the opportunity to get to know old acquaintances. I was able to cheer on people to keep them heading for their goals. I love that I had the opportunity to help provide confidence to others. Seeing the faces of the runners so close to the finish line, hearing people clapping, yelling, and whistling, was priceless.

GR Salon- Samantha Quero

1.      Back home I work at GR Salon and I have worked there for five years. I work every Saturday and all of the clientele Saturday mornings are older women. The salon gives a 30% discount to the older women who come every week for their appointments because my boss, Lidia knows the struggles they face and how much money affects their everyday lives. Many of these women have lost their husbands, live alone and look forward coming to the salon to socialize with other elderly women they can relate to. I came home over break and decided to spend the day, working and visiting the older women I have made close relationships with over the years.

2.      This reflected concepts learned in FCS because we always learn about poverty and how the elderly are so affected by it. My boss is doing something wonderful, giving discounts to the elderly women who come to the salon to get their hair done every week. Most of elderly customers have lost their husbands and my boss is improving their quality of life by providing them with good service and good company so that they have people to socialize with.

3.      I wouldn’t consider my volunteer day at the salon networking because I got the chance to talk with my coworkers and elderly women that I have known for years. I gained the chance to talk with these women about their lives and their daily struggles. Many of these women have serious health troubles on a daily basis. I gained wisdom and knowledge. Many of these women always tell me to have fun and be happy while I’m young because being old ‘isn’t fun’.

4.      As I said above, these women feel lonely and need a friend to talk to. They love seeing me at the salon because it gives them a chance to talk to me about school and my life. I also lend them an ear if they want to talk about their family and health struggles. I love having close relationships with these women because I always leave there realizing that I am lucky that I am so healthy.

5.      I am happy that I spent the day at the salon because I got to reminisce with old ladies that I use to spend every weekend talking to. I know it made there day when they saw me sitting at the front desk. It feels so rewarding when they give me a hug hello and goodbye. I am also happy that they feel comfortable opening up to me and talking to me about their struggles. They always tell me and my boss that they appreciate our service and the discount they get every week. The elderly face financial struggles and the fact that I can make a difference for them is so rewarding.

Parents as Teachers

Parents As Teachers - Maggie Arentsen

1. I volunteered my time at Parents as Teachers in Trenton, Illinois. Parents as Teachers is a state funded program for families who are pregnant, or for those who have a child or children between the ages of 0 and 5. Case management services are available for qualifying families. Families are continually being recruited, screened for eligibility and accepted for participation in the program. Services are offered to the family free of charge.This program includes: home visits, parenting classes, family workshops, group connections, field trips for families, etc. 

 

2. Parents as Teachers relate to FCS in so many ways. For example, the goal is to help the individuals, families, and communities. This organization relates to the disadvantaged family because most of these families in this program do not have all of the resources that are available. Another goal that this program has involves preventing child abuse and neglect. 

 

3. I networked with Janet Durkee and two different families.  By volunteering my time, I got the opportunity to do home visits and work with the children. Some of the activities that I participated in were different color games and reading books. I learned what Parents as Teachers is all about and I believe that it is an excellent program for families. I feel like I had an awesome experience and realized that this job would be something I would enjoy in the future. It makes me feel good about myself helping other families. 

 

4. The effect that Parents as Teachers has on the community is positive. This program is constantly helping the disadvantaged families. It develops strong partnerships between parents and schools, which can make the community a lot stronger. 

 

5. Overall, I enjoyed this experience. I think having an assignment like this is great! I feel like I made an impact on the two families just by participating in activities with them. I can only imagine how Mrs. Durkee feels on a daily basis. I feel like she has a positive effect on the families that she works with. I know this is a very rewarding job to have. In the future, I definitely would consider volunteering my time with this program again because I felt like I made an impact on their lives, as well as they did mine. 

Great job!

You guys are doing a GREAT job so far!  Keep up the good work!

Volunteering for SACIS

SACIS CRISIS HOTLINE- Catherine Cordell

1) I volunteer for Eastern Illinois University's Sexual Assault Counseling & Information Service (better known as SACIS) as one of their crisis hotline councilors. I volunteer a few nights a week and on some weekends starting 6pm to 8am. I use my own phone and a dispatcher will call my cell when I have phone call on the hotline to protect my phone number. The hotline is available to anyone 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.

2)SACIS provides services to victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment as well as support services for family members. These services include counseling, advocacy, information and referrals. SACIS reflects FCS in manner of providing services to individuals, families and the community. In class this semester we covered a topic about disadvantage and sexual abuse including sexual assault. This organization provides services to this specific group of people.

 

3) I networked with a lot of people through this organization. I built stronger relationships with Eastern Illinois University police department, and learned they are sometimes the survivors biggest advocates. I also networked with the SACIS educator and learned about going out into the community and providing presentations to the elementary school about good touch vs bad touch, and the high school students in regards to what a healthy relationship is. I also networked with the legal and medical advocate, learning there is an entire support team available for people. 

 

4) SACIS is an asset to our community because sometimes bad things happen and people are not sure where or who to turn to. SACIS is ready and available to help survivors and families through the difficult process if they decide to press charges, but are also there if they decide not to. The think I love the most about SACIS is they empower people and let them know they will support a persons decision no matter what. SACIS is a valuable resource because they are not just there for the crisis, but afterwards for as long as a person needs them. 

 

5) There is a reason I continue to volunteer for SACIS, and its because they matter to people. Even if I don't get a phone call, I feel like at least I'm here if someone needs me. Due to confidentiality I can not disclose anything from my phone calls, but I can say I'm glad I am here. Some of the story's are heart breaking, but these people need to talk and they need someone to listen. I am proud to say I volunteer for SACIS