C O L L E G E P A R K S C H O L A R S
Advocates for Children

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Service-Learning
Second-Year Colloquium, Fall 2000

Freshmen are required to participate in a Service-Learning activity this semester at an approved site. The amount of time commitment will vary depending on the site (see below). For sites that do not have a minimum commitment, we are expecting students to devote a minimum of twenty hours during the fall semester. (Some sites have their own time commitments that require more than 20 hours; students should adhere to their site requirements.) Completion of these hours accounts for 80% of the Service-Learning grade (the Service-Learning component of your colloquium grade).

10% of the Service-Learning grade is based upon a journal that the students will keep throughout the semester. This journal is intended as a place for students to reflect, question, and record their experiences. Students are free to use their journals as a space for whatever thoughts occur to them over the semester regarding their experiences with children at the Service-Learning site. The journal will be collected and read at the end of the semester, but will not receive a grade. Completion of a journal containing 10 entries with reasonable content of any length will result in a full credit for this portion of the grade. This journal will be due on December 4, 2000.

The remaining 10% of the grade is based on a three page reflection paper, due December 11th, on the Service-Learning experience. This paper is a chance for students to review their journals, look back on their experiences, and reflect on what they have learned.

Some guiding questions to think about while you write this paper are:

• "What did I learn from working in a hands-on setting with children that I would not have learned in a classroom?"
• "Which of my ideas about what children are like were confirmed, and which have I been forced to re-evaluate?"
• "Do I relate to what these children are going through, to what it's like to be a child?"
• "What did I find rewarding, and what did I find frustrating?" (This may be either about the child you worked with, the program you participated in, or the whole idea of Service-Learning.)

Summary of Requirements:

1. Participate at an approved Service-Learning site, according to that site's commitment requirements. If your site does not have any requirement concerning the minimum time commitment you are to make, a minimum of 20 hours is expected.
2. Due December 4, 2000: A journal with a minimum of 10 entries, kept over the entire semester (not written the evening of December 3).
3. Due December 11, 2000: A 3-page reflection paper addressing some or all of the suggested questions above, and relating an issue from colloquium to their experience at a Service-Learning site.

Who: 24 students from the AFC Program, and 22 Paint Branch Elementary School children.
When: Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:45 pm
Where: Chestertown and Belaire Lounges
Training: Thursday, September 14, 2000.
Contact Person: Julie Mulhern, 301-314-5909, e-mail: jmulhern@wam.umd.edu

Description: Research shows that moderate to high-risk students who participate in college outreach programs increase their odds of enrolling in a four-year college nearly two-fold. The new and improved Lakeland Stars program will pair Advocates with second through sixth graders for a mentoring/tutoring program. Advocates and Lakeland Stars pairs will spend the first hour on homework, and the second on fun and recreational activities.

Option #2: Children's Developmental Clinic

Who: Unlimited number of Advocates and children from the community seeking developmental support of all kinds.
When: Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: On Campus, Downstairs Gym-North Gymnasium.
Training: Saturday, September 9, 2000 and Saturday, September 16, 2000
Clinic Starts: Saturday, September 23, 1998
Contact Person: Dr. Paul Hahn, 301-405-2442, 301-322-0519

Description: This is a well seasoned, excellent opportunity for students to work one-on-one with children ages infant to 12 years old. Clinicians receive pre-clinic training. Pairs practice developmental skills including motor, academic, and creative skills. The clinic approach to working with children is in the area of motor development in a one-to-one individualized "fun with a friend" program.

Option #3: St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home

Who: Unlimited number of Advocates and children who reside at St. Ann's, new-born through eight years old.
When: As scheduled
Where: St. Ann's, 4901 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD
Contact Person: Julie Mulhern, 301-314-5909, e-mail: jmulhern@wam.umd.edu

Description: St. Ann's is a residential program for children, pregnant and new teen mothers. There are day-care, preschool, and developmental services for children and counseling, parenting, certification, job skills, and GED classes for the parents. Childrenıs physical, emotional, developmental, and educational needs are met by a variety of services and opportunities. Students may work with infants and children in classrooms, nurseries, or living areas. There is also the possibility to tutor parents for their GED exams, 5-9 pm in the libraries or group lounges.

Option #4: The Caring Project

Who: Unlimited number of Advocates, and at-risk children from Langley Park.
When: Fridays from 2:00-5:00 pm.
Where: Hope Lutheran Church
Training: Friday, September 8, 2000
Tutoring Starts: Friday, September 15, 2000
Contact Person: Rev. Beth Platz, 301-405-8448

Description: The Caring Project works with children in the nearby Langley Park community. Volunteers are needed for the nine Friday tutoring/mentoring sessions. Attendance at each session is required. These weekly visits are designed to increase children's self-esteem and encourage them to continue their education. There are many opportunities for bilingual Spanish-English volunteers to use their language skills. There are many children from this neighborhood who need support!

Option #5: Greenbelt CARES

Who: Advocates and neighborhood children
When: Tutors and students can choose the times and dates once they are assigned to a student-parent team.
Where: Hornbake Library.
Contact Person: Judye Hering, 301-345-6660

Description: Greenbelt CARES offers a free tutoring program for students from Prince George's county. The coordinator, Judye Hering, provides excellent training and support for the volunteers. Students are assigned to tutors by geographic location and subject preference. Judye organizes the pairs for this one-on-one tutoring activity.

Other ideas? Find another site and at least four other Advocates who want to work there, and propose your group's idea to Julie Mulhern (e-mail: jmulhern@wam.umd.edu).

1125 Cumberland Hall University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-9331