One of the benefits of being a Baruch Scholar is that there are so many resources offered to us. As a student, it is my responsibility to grab hold of these advantages because education is my top priority. When given an assignment as the Community Service Project, it made me realize that I cannot accomplish without others’ support.
This is a community, which means that we need to help one another. I need others’ help and others need my help. I have certain qualities or skills that others doesn’t have and others have knowledge and experiences that I don’t have. As a community we fill in for each other’s weaknesses. And the faculties, mentors, upperclassmen, and peers are people that are offering their help.
There is a librarian that we went to when researching for non-profitable organizations to volunteer in. We also asked our peers. Asking them for help was an efficient way to find an organization to volunteer in for our Community Service Project because they have previous experience in volunteering more than we do. They offered us several recommendations. One of the upperclassmen in my Christian Fellowship Club suggested us to try out the Father’s Heart Ministries. And a pastor in my church also suggested the same organizations. After we research this organization, we saw the various programs they offer and were interested. We went to volunteer for one weekend and enjoyed providing service. This is just the start of opening up and feeling more comfortable in using the resources.
After volunteering, I see that the people we serve in the soup kitchen and me are similar because we both use the resources offered to us. And not only should we take, but that we should also give. In three years, I still see myself studying and using the library resources.
Jessica,
It is good to see you got used to using the library as a resource so early on. The database available at the library, as well as the staff, are services that alumni come back for and are willing to pay. You should be confident that this tool will get you through any extra-long research essays you may have an the future.
As for community, and the great aspects of teamwork that you’ve pointed out, I think that you’ve captured and accepted a lesson that many people don’t learn until something backfires and they realize that they cannot do everything alone. Getting this out of the way means that you are already ahead of the game!
Dear Jessica,
It sounds like you really got a lot out of the process of completing the community service project: you made the connection between people you serve and your own privilege as well as benefits you receive in the honors program. That’s a wonderful insight.
I look forward to working with you in the next 3 years.
Douglas Medina