Research:
The results from my midterm research prompted the work for my final project as Kiera Castle, in charge of Service Learning at MSOE, invited me to meet the site director of the after school program at the Westside Academy, another location for Our Next Generation. While I wasn’t able to go with Kiera, I went the following day to meet with Tim Schermetzler, the site director at the Westside Academy on 36th and Brown. My interview with Tim and the subsequent observing of kids in the program revealed the drive from Tim and the volunteers to really impact these kids and give them the best opportunities possible.
The interview with Tim was very insightful regarding the goals of the organization. Tim told me that there are two basic goals that the after school program employs: providing a safe environment and providing extended opportunities and experiences. Having a safe place for the kids is accomplished simply by having them in the after school program. The school grounds are safe and volunteers are there the entire time with the kids to ensure that safety. But the experiences that the after school program provides are also important and have long-term effects. As the site director, Tim has implemented outside of school experiences that the kids would not otherwise have. The day I was there, the kids left with some volunteers from Marquette High School to go to the Urban Ecology Center. An important aspect of the program Tim has focused on specifically was the creation of clubs and summer camps that the kids could attend and more importantly feel part of a group. The feeling of belonging coupled with the experiences and relationships these kids formed have had amazing results. Tim told me that the high school graduation rate of kids not in the program is less than 40%. Kids in the after school program, however, have a graduation rate of over 90%. That difference is incredible!
I was also able to speak with some of the kids who were in the program. As previously mentioned, most of the kids had left to go the Urban Ecology Center. Despite that, there were a couple 7th and 8th grade girls I was able to speak to. Both girls were very eager to talk to me and answer some questions I had. I also asked which subjects were their favorites in school; one replied listing almost every subject, but cited math as her favorite. The other responded with reading and language arts. I also asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Neither of them were sure, but they listed off several occupations they were interested in, everything from a lawyer and a judge to a veterinarian and an author. The most interesting aspect of interviewing the girls was their overall fervor for school and, even at a young age, the realization of how important education was. It was very clear this program was making a difference.
Reflection:
The overall experience of learning about the organization, other universities’ involvement, the dedication of the director and volunteers, and the attitude of the students has showed me the magnitude of this organization and program. What impressed me the most was the dedication and level of importance that all those involved had assigned to working with these kids. My interviews with Kiera and Tim directly reflect these notions and their level of involvement was actively shown in the kids I had talked to.
Another aspect I noticed was the differences between the kids who were in the program and kids who weren’t. While I was talking to the kids, I also spoke with an art teacher who was also present. She told me about how lazy some of the kids in her class were and complained to do the simplest things. The 7th grader I had spoken with was also in her class and the teacher specifically cited the differences between her and some other lazy students. It was clear to me that the student’s active participation in the after school program would have something to do with that attitude. More conclusively, the graduation rates I had mentioned in my research more specifically attest to the differing attitudes.
The opportunities for outside of class experiences were also apparent as well as their benefits. As mentioned, the students had gone out to the Urban Ecology Center the day I had come to visit. I was also told that the kids had a variety of experiences with people from area high schools, universities, and even companies such as Man Power. Tim had also explained to me the importance of having kids experience things and talk with people outside their neighborhoods. Not only would this expand the students’ horizons, but also create more participation from the community.
The vast experiences provided to the students in the program as well as the wide diversity of volunteers also show the interconnectivity of the community. The involvement of all these different people from all different sides of the city is a testament to the positive impact a community can have by joining together. The involvement of members from all sides of the community also shows the how much different parts of the community can affect each other.
Overall, this experience has been positive as well enlightening. It has shown me the need to be involved with the youth in our communities. It has also shown me that the volunteers also gain from the experience as they not only learn more about themselves, but also serve as a good role model and use their talents in a new way.
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