In the time that has passed since I first entered my Residence Hall Community, I have had a number of experiences, internships, and jobs that have prepared me to take leadership and perform the duties of a Resident Assistant. The summer after my first year, I participated in the Summer Service Learning Program through the Center for Social Concerns. In this position I inspired at-risk young adults transitioning out of foster care to establish the life skills necessary for independent living. I assisted students with school enrollment, provided tutoring and after-school services, and developed resident's computer and internet skills. I also worked in both individual and group settings to improve their financial literacy. This experience
This course has taught me a lot about the role human service workers have in communities and what communities need from human services. I learned about why this type of work is so important and was able to seen that importance first hand through my observation hours at the Dorothy Day Center.
Okpych, : Nathanael. "Policy Framework Supporting Youth Aging-out of Foster Care through College."Children Youth Service Review (2012): n. pag. Science Direct. Web.
In her first year as a Resident Assistant, Andrea Robinson received a Christmas card from a resident named Charlotte, thanking her for helping Charlotte adjust to her new life at college. Robinson recalled that Charlotte was overcome with homesickness, as many first time students can be, and to help boost her spirits, she went with Charlotte to an opening week picnic. That made a huge difference for Charlotte and her gratitude she conveyed in the card. But the message had an extra meaning to Robinson. “I was just doing my job,” Robinson said. But knowing the difference she had made to Charlotte, she asked, “Why wouldn’t anyone want to do this for the rest of their life?”
Being given the opportunity to intern with the staff at the Family Resource Center in the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has been a tremendous learning experience thus far. The opportunity has truly surpassed my expectation of what I imagined the journey of internship would be like and how it would help me to evolve into the professional arena as a social worker. I see myself transforming and viewing the community in which I live, the clients served, those deprived, and the tremendous job that we as social workers are tasked with to advocate for those in need from a more open-minded perspective. By enhancing and developing my personal and professional skills, such as active listening, observation, and professional comportment, I will be
Becoming a leader can be achieved by all not just a selective group. Consequently, it is impactful to be a positive role model because they are influential people that others can look up to. Resident Advisors set the standard of a residence hall. During my freshman year, I had the pleasure of having Brittany as my Resident Advisor. At the first hall meeting Brittany set the tone for the new semester, she came off as resourceful, kind and established boundaries early. Moreover, she expected us to be respectful of her and others during our time in Scott Hall. Brittany is an example of why it is significant to be a positive reminder among residents and campus peers. Positivity, transparency, and flexibility are a few leadership skills that are necessary to be an effective RA. There is no perfect Resident Advisor but those are an example of traits that help. Using past experiences and observation of strong leadership styles a combination of those traits produces optimal results and form better
Giffords, E., Alonso, C., & Bell, R. (2007). A Transitional Living Program for Homeless Adolescents: A Case Study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 36(4), 141-151. doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9036-0.
Selecting to do my service learning at Harvest Hope Food Bank was a very impactful experience. This was so, because of the fact that I have never volunteered at a food bank until now. The organization was able to connect me with the required skills I will practice throughout my career as a professional social worker, therefore better preparing me for assisting clients who may be dependent on my services.
Ever since I first understood the world, I loved to spend time with my family. If I were ever invited to a sleepover, I would refuse nine out of ten times, so my dad and I could go see a movie. However, I’ve started to realize that not everybody is as fortunate as I am. If I were given one day and $1,000 dollars to make a difference in my community, I would savor every second. I’d gather my closest friends and family, make a trip to every nursing home in town, making every senior feel like I have for the past fourteen years.
at the orphanage, I was able to help build a sidewalk and a garage for
I am interested in a residence life position not for what it shall bring me, but for what I can possibly do to help others. I have seen the Resident Assistants in my hall, Grier, helping the residents and I would love to be able to make a difference in someone’s life as I see them doing everyday. Specifically, I have seen how Kayla Beadles has been able to help others as well as myself by creating a warm environment that has made it extremely easier to assimilate into college life. I hope that by being a Resident Assistant, I can inspire those in my hall the same way that I have been.
A residential advisor seeks to facilitate a positive living environment for residents. With such a position, it is important to obtain certain skills to be able to have a positive impact on students and the surrounding community. To maintain a positive living environment Resident Advisors must be prepared to react to different situations including emergency and non-emergency scenarios. Applying the knowledge from the Residential Leadership class and gaining more skills will benefit me in being an effective Resident Advisor.
Following participation in an Engaged Department Institute sponsored by Campus Compact, a service-learning requirement was instituted for all majors in the department studied beginning Fall 2002. All faculty were encouraged to incorporate service-learning in their courses. A training session on service-learning was the centerpiece of a departmental retreat in January 2002. In order to develop closer relationships with community agencies, the department hosted a faculty-partnership luncheon the following fall semester. Potential community partners were invited to meet with faculty in an effort to forge new relationships with the University. In order to institutionalize service-learning, all recruitment advertisements specifically mention service-learning and all new hires are expected to include service-learning components in their courses. As a consequence of these efforts, this department has gone from teaching only a few courses with service-learning components to offering twenty five different classes (thirteen courses) by Fall 2002.
A service learning experience is designed to enhance a student 's growth in personal and social development and to obtain an understanding of community involvement. For my service learning experience, I volunteered at Change Point Center. In this reflection paper, I will discuss in depth information about the services that Change Point provides, my goals while I was there,and what I ultimately learned from this experience.
My first opportunity to work in the social work field came as I gained employment with Tobias House Attendant Care. Working with a diverse group of men (18 – 72 years of age) as a personnel support worker. In the case of the young men (who were transitioning from Bloorview Children’s Hospital), my role was defined as a life skills coordinator and my job entailed teaching these men how to navigate self-directed care. This involved working with the young individuals on how to navigate a life with limited institutional support. This included (but not limited to) teachings around banking practices, hygiene, social interactions, support equipment maintenance, monthly budgeting and research into beneficial programs (education, grants, sources of income other than ODSP).