Farinacci Name: Angela Alexis Farinacci Professor Bolduc-Simpson IDS 3300 CRN 11665 Date: 01/24/13

Foundations of Civic Engagement A Look Into Our Civic Selves

1. What kinds of service learning or volunteer experience have you done in the past? What are you doing presently? Describe any projects or organizations you have worked with. - I have worked with a local caf in Fort Pierce, Florida through my Church, Common Ground Vineyard Church, where we serve meals to those in need 7 days a week. - I have worked with less fortunate kids who our church busses in for a super Saturday program each Saturday morning. We provide them with a bible study, the love of Jesus through our wonderful volunteers, and then send them home with a bagged lunch; once a month we go to them and have a block Party where we let them run around and have fun, do a lesson, and cook lunch for them on site. - I volunteer each Thanksgiving at Mustard Seed Ministries & Treasure Coast Helping Hands in Fort Pierce Floridas annual Thanksgiving Feast, where thousands of people who are in need come and get a hot Thanksgiving meal provided for them. We also send meals into the community where people will pick up meals on site & take them to those who arent capable of making it to the site. Its a great experience! - A part of Christian Service Club (I was secretary for 2 years), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (President for 2 years), & Youth for Life Club during my time in High School. - I have volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in St. Lucie & Indian River County for 4 years in a row with my high school & have helped with many aspects of home-builds. 2. What personal strengths, talents, and gifts would you bring to a group project? - I am really good at working with Kids and have a passion & love for them As a Youth Leader at my home church, I have great talents in leadership and an ability to work with others well - I am talented in being compassionate and being able to minister to others. - Having helped paint a few rooms in my church, I am capable of painting well when it comes to the home builds. I am also pretty strong & am capable with helping with building of homes, including hammering, drilling, carrying wood, etc

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3. What issues are you passionate about? - I am passionate about bringing freedom to America. After participating in 2013 and signing the End It Movement I am very passionate about ending human trafficking around the world. - I am passionate about kids and anything having to do with kids and the ability to work with them. - Seeing others come to Christ; bringing the lost to him; those in darkness to light; Its a great feeling to see others coming to Christ and truly being free! - Helping those in need; when it comes to Habitat for Humanity, it is right up my alley. I love helping wherever help is needed.

4. What are your barriers to civic engagement? Do you have any hindrances that group members should know about? (Live on campus with no car, work 40 hours a week, childcare needs, etc.) - Volunteer on Tuesday Nights at 7:00pm for Ignite FGCU at Summit Church. - Attend Church on Sunday Mornings - Small Group Thursday Nights at 7:00pm - Class Schedule 5. What life experience, life lesson, and/or set of values have impacted you most? - Working with less fortunate kids every Saturday morning and seeing the smiles on their faces each time they see you. They may see you outside of Super Saturday, & theyll still smile and say they love you! Sharing the Love of Christ with them and then seeing their growth is very special - Serving meals to those in need at my churchs Caf in Fort Pierce, Florida. It brings happiness to your heart and you know youre really impacting peoples lives. - Being a youth leader and being able to impact the lives of the teens in my youth group is very special to me. - My faith is very important to me and I am continuing to grow in my Relationship with Christ and each day I am reminded by him of his never-ending love for me & that gives me a passion to continue on and work with others and I have a true heart and compassion for ministry and being able to impact lives of others.

Farinacci - Helping and being able to serve those in need; Whether it be from giving them a home to live in or pray for them; whatever it may be. I have a heart for helping those in need and making the community a better place.

6. Who is someone you admire that has changed your life or the world for the better? Explain your answer. - My Best Friend, who is the Worship Director at my Church back home, Ashlie Smith. Ashlie used to be the youth director during my high school years and now primarily works with our worship team, on which I am a media technician and help train others. Ashlie has made a true impact on my life from the moment I met her. Through the ups and downs, she has ALWAYS been there for and continues to be there for me whenever I need her. Ashlie is the one who was there the day I accepted Christ into my life and has continued to help me grow. As a mom her schedule can be busy, but her son absolutely adores me, so the trust we have for each other is to the point where I babysit her son on a regular basis when Im home from college; I can talk to her about anything and she will strictly keep it between just the two of us. She never missed any of my band concerts, she was there the day I graduated high school, and has just made a tremendous impact on my life. Through Ashlie, Christ has truly changed my life and he made me the person I am today. I am a strong Christian and leader and love where my life has come to and where God is going to lead me from here! Based on your strengths, talents, and experiences, what are some organizations that you would feel passionate about partnering with during the semester? You must research at least three organizations and include contact information. Visit http://www.fgcu.edu/connect for a list of approved service learning agencies. Organization What do they do? Why do you want to work with them? After having already worked with them for four years in a row, I have a heart for Habitat. It is a wonderful organization with a great mission for providing a home for those in needs. I love the organization and look forward to continuing to Contact person, phone number, and website Kara Kouloheras 11145 Tamiami Trail East Naples, FL 34113 Fax: 239-775-0477 Phone: 239-775-0036 Email: kkouloheras@hfhcollier.com

Habitat for Humanity

Help build homes for those in need of a healthy and safe place for their family and kids to live in.

Farinacci volunteer with them again this year and during my time here at FGCU!