Angela Jackson

Reflecting Writing – Service Learning

November 3, 2019

Noticing:
• Describe your initial thoughts when you learned about this course requirement?
When I learned about the course requirement, I thought it was a good means of getting
people to volunteer. Most people do not take the time or feel they have time to volunteer.
When I was younger, my family and I benefited from people that volunteered or donated
to charities. I understand how significant non-profit organizations and volunteers are in
helping families and serving communities.

• What did you notice about the place you volunteered upon arrival, such as the
setting, people, smells noise, etc.
For my volunteer experience, I assisted my friend Crystal (Crissy) Ford with collecting
school supplies and pack backpacks for parents in need in Prince George’s County, MD. I
was born and raised in Maryland. My friend Crystal reached out to family and friends to
help her with this year’s backpack drive. Due to budget constraints, her budget for the
backpack drive was lower than in previous years.

When I arrived to deliver the supplies that my former coworkers and I donated, it was a
bit chaotic. Donations were being dropped off from local churches, friends, etc. I was
happy to see the overwhelming support, but I didn’t know where to start to help out. My
friend Rhonda and I set-up our section to begin unloading and organizing the supplies.
After we were unloaded, we jumped in to help Crissy and her staff organize the supplies
by grade.

Interpreting:
• How did you know what to do once you were there?
When I first arrived, I didn’t know what to do; there were people in the conference room
that were moving around and dropping off donations. My friend Rhonda suggested that
we find an area to unload and separate the supplies we had and assist Crissy afterward.

• How were you helpful to the organization and/or population that you served?
Most of the clients Crissy and her team support are women who were/are victims of
domestic violence. Most of the women are single mothers with school-aged kids. My
donations that I supplied and collected from my former coworkers allowed us to service
15 school-age kids with backpacks and school supplies.

Responding:
• Did you interact with any Servant Leaders during your experience? What makes
them a servant leader? Describe their actions.
I mainly interacted with Crissy and a couple of volunteers. I would consider Crissy, a
servant leader. She has worked in the field of social work for many years. She is very
passionate about helping women of domestic violence. Last year, she was recognized by
two churches in Prince George’s County, MD, for her advocacy and awareness events.
 Including her, getting The National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD, to light up the Ferris wheel
in purple lights for all of October 2018 in recognition of domestic violence month.
Crissy spends more time working than she does sleeping and eating; she always sacrifices
her time and even her resources to meet the needs of her clients.

• Was there anything or anyone in particular that caught your attention during this
experience? If so, describe. If not, so, describe. If not, describe what you did during
your time with the organization?
While there, I prepped, and set-up for the backpack give away. I did not get a chance to
participate in the giveaway day celebration due to my class schedule. The event was
August 28th. I loved the excitement and enthusiasm that Crissy and her team showed
getting ready for the event, and I was moved by the overwhelming support she received
from local churches, her family, and friends.

Reflecting:
• Describe your feelings when the experience was over Relief? Sadness? Energized?
Would you be interested in doing this again? Is there something else you would like
to try or are you more comfortable staying home?
I was energized after assisting with the set-up and organization. I was a little disappointed
that I wouldn’t be there for the actual event, but it was still energizing setting up for the
event. Crissy sponsors a similar event for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am hoping I can
volunteer for one of those events next year.

I wanted to volunteer at Feed More for this assignment; their short-term volunteer hours
are a minimum of 25 hours. I could not fit that into my schedule with my classes, and I
was working at the time. I did sign-up to volunteer with Feed More in their community
kitchen from December 26 – January 2. I am looking forward to that experience.

• Describe any changes to your values or feelings as a result of this experience.

I don’t know if I had any changes to my values or feelings as a result of volunteering for
this event. I was glad to have had the opportunity to see the outpouring support to help
others, and I appreciated the opportunity to be part of a service event with my friends, it
was a different and special means of us spending time together.