Nick Iovino

December 11th, 2022

Professor Chris Ortiz

RPTM 236

CLP Reflection

Introduction:

My experience at LifeLink was amazing. I had a great time and met some

amazing people. I went to LifeLink On 11/16 & 11/30 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There

were about twenty to thirty participants at LifeLink. The activity I did was a craft, but

there were also board/card games as well. It was an amazing experience, even after my

project I still wanted to return to LifeLink to help out as much as I can and continue to

grow friendships with everyone there.

Preparation/Training:

The planning session at LifeLink prepared me for my future date and craft I

chose to do. My first visit was an introduction to many of the people on the staff as well

as preparing my craft. All the resources I needed for my craft were provided by LifeLink

as well. One way to to improve the planning process for this program is to have

someone in conjunction with Mrs. Sandy Cecco aid in the involvement of the craft and

setting up dates due to Mrs. Sandy Cecco being very busy and sometimes hard to

reach.
 Coordination/Support:

Although sometimes it was hard to get in contact, overall it was an easy process

communicating with Mrs. Sandy Cecco. Whether I had to reach out to her or she had to

reach out to me, it was seamless. LifeLink wasn’t only Mrs. Sandy Cecco, she also had

plenty of staff and volunteers available for not only myself, but for others as well. They

were all very helpful and easy to communicate with.

Self Evaluation:

My biggest success while participating in LifeLink was truly connecting with the

staff and members of LifeLink. I bonded with them so well to the point where one of the

members of LifeLink made me a couple crafts (two different colored slimes and a

Christmas reindeer made out of popsicle sticks). That was one of my favorite and most

rewarding experiences of LifeLink seeing as though it was my second time there.

My biggest weakness of my part in LifeLink was being nervous. Although it was

warranted because I haven’t been there much before that point, as well as doing my

craft with some of the people there, I was nervous and quiet at times. My leadership

performance could’ve improved by relaxing and enjoying the experience as much as

everyone else was. lifeLink was a learning experience for me in my ways. Learning

about many people from different backgrounds realizing that everyone loves the same

and puts a smile on their face the same way no matter their setbacks in life.

Participants:

All of the members of LifeLink welcomed me with open arms, some more shy

than others but eventually came around. One of my fondest memories while being a

part of LifeLink was within a few minutes of me walking through the door, when one of
the members asked me “Have we met before?” while sticking his hand out to shake it as

soon as I walked through the door. Holding a convo with me before I could even check

in. Asking me where I am from and genuinely getting to know me. Mrs. Sandy Cecco

even began to chuckle at this. Many of these interactions continued throughout the

program meeting many new faces, holding conversations about everything. Ways that

LifeLink could improve with participants is by pairing them with other participants that

have been there longer than you and show you around and introduce you to other

participants.

Overall Reflections:

Moving forward, a recommendation I would make is to have another option within

LifeLink. Many of the members there didn’t want to make a craft and rather chat with me

or play a game with me.Some members did enjoy the craft, that’s why I would say to not

get rid of the craft idea but to have another option like pairing with a member and enjoy

many of the activities they like to enjoy. I would love to participate in an activity like this

again because the staff/participants were all amazing as well as the members were so

heart warming to be with. LifeLink has been one of the most fulfilling activities I’ve done

in awhile. Some takeaways I can take away from LifeLink and this whole experience is

to take a step back once and awhile and take a deep breath, realizing things aren’t that

deep. Finding joy in the smaller things in life like making crafts with others, playing

games with others, and overall just socializing with others having plenty of laughs

amongst each other.