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 Emilie Jenny
When I first set-out to choose an organization for the service learning project, I knew I wanted to work with children. I pursued several organizations, but never made a strong contact until I came across the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.
I honestly was fairly unaware of CHS’s purpose, until I met with a lady named Kathy Shutz. She was very inviting and kind upon our first meeting an explained to me that in essence, CHS is an adoption agency. Operating since 1902, she told me that CHS has placed over 13,000 children into adoptive homes and is currently working to place more than 3,300 more children. I was immediately excited to be working with CHS, an organization who’s work I have had little experience with.
The time I spent with CHS involved putting together training packets, research, and discussion with Kathy. She explained a great deal of the adoption process to me, its strengths and weaknesses, the needs of the children and family, and more. She and I also made a trip to Ahoskie for a training session opened to future foster care and adoptive parents. She even allowed me to speak at the session a bit.
Through the process, I know that I have become much more aware of the needs of people around me. No matter how great or small, people are constantly dealing with trials and struggles in their lives, and they are in need of support, patience, and love. I also became much more aware of the fact that there is an unbelievable amount of pain and heartache in the world and that I want to live my life in a way that reaches out to those in need. Lastly, I came to understand that opening up to new experiences is invaluable, as they allow people to learn more about themselves, who they ought to be, and what they ought to do with their lives.
In the end, I found that the service learning project teaches the student more about him/herself than they actually contribute to the community. Yes, I did assist Kathy with various needs, but nevertheless, she taught me a great deal more than the actual work I completed for her. I think that in the long-run though, because service learning allows us students to find out more about ourselves, we will be better prepared to contribute to the community in the future and to make a difference with our lives.
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