Journal Week 1

January 2022

I am doing my internship at The Life Enrichment Center in Milledgeville, Georgia, The Life Enrichment Center is a non-profit

organization for adults with I/DD. Last semester I completed my service-learning hours at the LEC and had a wonderful experience. I

really enjoyed getting to know all the staff and members of this organization and thought it would be the perfect place to complete my

internship at.

Monday January 10th was my first day. We did not have to meet in person, and instead had “orientation” through a zoom call.

The orientation did not go as planned, because there was some sort of miscommunication. It was more of an introduction day than

anything. We all logged into the zoom at 9:00 A.M, and all of the staff and interns introduced themselves and then we were told that,

“they would see us in the morning.” I was very confused, because I left the meeting not knowing anything about what we were

expected to wear, what time to show up, or what we were going to be doing the next day. I reached out to one of the staff that works

there, and he apologized many times for not communicating the expectations for us. Thankfully he sent us an email explaining what to

do and what time to show up on Tuesday.

Tuesday January 11th, we got there at 8:30 A.M and had an official orientation. This day we talked about what The Life

Enrichment Center was, we talked about their mission and vision, and talked about all the ways that they are active in the community.

They gave us a run-down on what interns did in the past and showed us a few videos and pictures of past programs that they were

apart of. They explained to us that COVID had really impacted their organization, and that it is a struggle to find people to donate to

their organization. It is hard to find people to send their money to organizations when they are worried if they will even have a job the

next week. They did tell us that fraternities and sororities are wonderful about fundraising and donating to their organization, which

made me feel somewhat better. I did not really think about how much non-profits are struggling financially, due to the pandemic.

After meeting with Barbara and Jay, we spent some time hanging out with some of the patients there. We talked to each of them and

began to get to know them on a more personal basis.

Wednesday January 12th we all sat with Jay and tried to get a schedule planned out for the next two weeks. He is a music

therapist, and also does a lot with the center. He was explaining the Creative Expressions Program and told us about the concerts that

they put on twice a year. They are now planning for the spring concert and trying to come up with a theme for the program. He told us

that theme may be “Fire.” We will be able to help make this concert come to life by working with the members at the LEC and

teaching them classes on things that they will perform on stage. Some of the sub-programs of Creative Expressions, includes Step-in-

Time, ASL, and musical performances. The other interns and I will be teaching the choreography for the step-intime performance, so

we spent some time picking out songs. We planned to meet with the members that will be participating in this performance twice a

week and chose songs such as Sean Kington’s “Fire Burning,” The Trammps’, “Disco Inferno,” and Alicia Key’s “Girl on Fire.”
 Thursday January 13th was a little more hands-on. Before I explain what I did, I should explain the layout of the

center. There are roughly 4 different groups that the members are separated into. They separate the patients into different groups to cut

down on the spread of COVID-19. It makes sense because if one person in one group has COVID then they do not have to shut down

the whole center, instead they are able to monitor the patients in that one group and quarantine those individuals instead of everyone

that works there/ goes there having to take a week off to quarantine. The groups are also separated by the severity of their I/DD. There

are also two sperate buildings. One of the buildings is bigger and is known as the Activity Building. They have a gym, a commercial

grade kitchen, an art room, and a big “hangout room.” There are also quite a few offices in this building. The second building is

smaller and has a more home-y vibe to it. It has a lounge area with a T.V, a kitchen, an art room, my favorite room, the sensory room.

This is where the music therapy students have therapy with the patients there. It is a very relaxing environment, especially when the

music therapy students are there! All of that to say, we spent most of our day in the first building I was describing.

Until this point, we had not spent much time with the patients in this building, so it was great to get to know them better. Half

of the interns did a workout with a group, and the other half did arts & crafts with another group. I am working with a lady to create

her own body lotion, and candle line to sell so that she can make money independently. We began designing a logo for her brand and

we also cleaned out recycled bottles for her to use for the lotions and candles. We spent an hour or two finding good recipes for

candles and lotions and brainstormed what she would call her brand. I have never made home-made lotion or candles, so this was a

new experience for me as well. I am excited to help make this dream of hers a reality. After lunch we went back to the second building

and hung out with the other patients and played brain games with them

Friday January 14th was similar to Thursday. All of the interns led a workout class for the patients. A few of the patients are

not able to stand or move around well, so we had a char aerobics class for them. After the workout, I worked with the lady I am

helping create lotions and candles with. I do not know if I am allowed to say the names of the patients at the center. (Dr K, If have

read this far, will you clarify if that goes against HIPPA violations? Thank you! If not, I will make up a name for her.) The patients in

the second building had a Fun Friday and watched a couple of movies and ate popcorn. I played cards with a few of the patients, and

we made a cute valentines themed craft.

Saturday January 15th, we went to the H.U.B and a lady gave a speech about MLK, after that we participated in Service

Saturday. One group went to the Collins P. Lee Center and painted fences, and I went with the other interns to Brave Meadows. We

painted fences and worked with the people there who were riding horses. I had not had the chance to go to Brave Meadows until

Saturday. I have heard many wonderful things about it and was not disappointed. It was a great experience for me. I love animals, so I

was in my happy place. I took a few photos of the cute ponies, mini donkeys, and sheep. They were all so cute, and the owner of the

farm was one of the kindest people I have ever met.

Overall, my first week was a success. It was a little overwhelming at times, and things are a bit unorganized at the center, but

I believe that I will learn many great things through the Life Enrichment Center and will have great opportunities to make an impact

on the Baldwin County Community.

 INTERNSHIP HOURS LOG

Student Name: Maddy Harris Internship Site: The Life Enrichment Center Semester: Spring 2022

WEEK Time In Lunch Time out Hours Worked

Monday, 9:00 A.M N/A 10:00 A.M 1 hr +

January 10 4 hr training

Tuesday, 8:30 A.M 12:00-12:30 P.M 2:30 P.M 5.5 hr

January 11

Wednesday, 8:30 A.M 12:30-1:40 P.M 3:00 P.M 5.5 hr

January 12

Thursday, 8:30 A.M 12:00-12:30 P.M 2:30 P.M 5.5 hr

January 13

Friday, 8:30 A.M 12-1:00 P.M 2:30 P.M 5 hr

January 14

Saturday, 8:30 A.M N/A 2:30 P.M 6 hr

January 15

Total Weekly Hours 32.5 hr

Total Hours to Date 32.5 hr