Applied Learning Project Reflection Paper
Applied Learning Project: Reflection Paper
PD160.XG3.14SUM
Jessica Boggs
September 15, 2014
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Applied Learning Project Reflection Paper
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My applied learning project was completed with the United Way of Madison County
Alabama. I signed up to volunteer during the annual Block Party with the North Alabama Crisis
Center booth. I completed my project this past weekend on September 13, 2014. I worked with
Veronica at United Way and Jessica with the Crisis Center.
Jessica and I met the morning of the event and I helped her set up the booth and distribute
the materials, prizes, and literature. Each booth at the event was responsible for providing
entertainment or games for the families to participate in. At our booth we set up a large twister
mat for the kids to play on. I helped Jessica explain the programs available to the individuals and
families at the event. One of the resources we talked about was 211 which is a national number
linking people to multiple resources. 211 is a 24/7 service that links callers to basic human needs,
physical and mental health services, employment support, support for senior citizens, and
support for children, youth, and families. 211 can also be used during a crisis to link individuals
to emergency shelters, grief counselors, food distribution centers, state and federal assistance,
volunteer opportunities, portable water or food, clean-up crews, and emergency financial
assistance. The crisis center also offers programs such as crisis services, domestic violence
programs, and sexual assault programs of which more information can be found on their website.
Lastly, the crisis center also offers a directory to residents called the HELPline yellow pages
which is a complete listing of community resources available to them in the area.
Volunteering with the crisis center allowed me access to all the resources available to
members of the Madison county area. I was able to help Jessica bring awareness to the public
regarding these resources. I was in charge of the games and prizes at our booth so Jessica could
speak more freely with the parents and individuals at the event while I distracted the kids. I
handed out prizes to the winners including stuffed animals, beads, bouncy balls, bubbles, and
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school supplies. When activity at the booth was slow I engaged passerby’s to stop over by asking
kids if they wanted to play twister to win a prize. I am new to the area so being able to see what
community resources are available was an amazing experience for me personally.
I had hoped to learn more about the resources of the area and am glad I was able to meet
that goal. I was also interested in getting out in the community and meeting people in a
professional yet fun environment. I have to say it was amazing working with Veronica and
Jessica as both of them were friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. I also was able to interact
with the people at the event by encouraging their participation in the games and playing with the
kids. Volunteering with the crisis center allowed me to better understand all of the resources
offered to residents in the Madison county area as well as myself. I was able to take some of the
reading materials with me to use if I ever need any services. The materials contain a plethora of
information such as names, organizations, phone numbers and websites. I had initially signed up
for disaster relief services should the need ever arise near me through the United Way volunteer
services. If I had not done this applied learning project I probably would not have thought to sign
up to offer my services as a medical assistant in a crisis.
I faced several communication issues when I first began to research volunteer
opportunities. I had initially thought if I could find volunteer opportunities for medical assistants
that I would be able to satisfy a greater need for medical professionals. However, I initially had
sent several e-mails at the beginning of this project to get a head start on finding an organization
but I never heard back. I was unable to find an organization that would allow me to sign up,
register, and volunteer within the time frame required for the course. Medical organizations
require background checks, waivers, interviews, travel availability, and several weeks of
orientation to be placed at a venue. I ended up contacting my academic advisor to get ideas since
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I wasn’t sure where to go or who to call in Alabama to get this project accomplished. My advisor
recommended the United Way as it’s a national organization that takes volunteers all around the
country. Once I found Veronica’s information it was as easy as go online, pick a booth, and
voila. Veronica and the United Way made the entire process of signing up so easy it was almost
ridiculous by the time I arranged it.
I learned so many things during this entire experience including the fact that e-mail is not
a good method of first contact for professional communication. When I moved here at the
beginning of the quarter I had Sprint as my cell phone carrier and when I went to call people I
realized I had no service, anywhere. Once I ran into so much trouble e-mailing people I realized I
had to get a phone that worked. Unfortunately the only way to do this was to switch cell phone
carriers from Sprint to Verizon and break my contract. Once I got switched over to Verizon I was
then able to call my advisor and in turn Veronica Tucker.
I was able to communicate with Veronica via telephone, e-mail, and eventually
fax/scanner to coordinate the signing of the waiver. I only had one day left by the time I found
Veronica so it was close call in getting the waiver signed and submitted on time. Besides
learning my lesson in regards to e-mail I also was able to utilize my customer services skills,
non-verbal skills, and verbal communication skills throughout this project. At the event I was
interacting with workers, volunteers, families, kids, and individuals who all require different
forms or communication. I was able to use team building skills to coordinate efforts with Jessica
so we could work efficiently together to meet her goals and objectives for the event. The point of
our booth was to get the message of 211 and the crisis center to the community. I helped keep the
kids at bay by monitoring the games and prizes and speaking publicly with them and their
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parents. I also learned a lot about the center and shared that information with passerby’s when
Jessica was unavailable.
I think having an event such as this, where all community non-profits come together to
support, educate and entertain their community, is a smart thing to do. The United Way had a
bouncy house, food trucks, face painting, and free water with Krispy Kream donuts. I would
encourage the United Way to offer healthier food choices but kids love sugar and we are in the
south so there is a certain expectation I suppose. I am so grateful to Veronica and the United
Way for offering me this opportunity and making it so easy. After everything I went through
with other organizations I will most definitely utilize the United Way in the future for volunteer
opportunities. I feel like I met my goals and the course objectives by interacting with the
community on both personal and professional levels. It made for a fun and educational Saturday
to participate in twister and advocate for the crisis center.
See Picture Below.
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