Service-Learning

Reflection Paper #3

This semester has brought on a lot of work, but I think it has really paid off in the end. I now I have a full portfolio that I can actually use in a real life situation. I enjoyed this project because it gave me the hands-on experience that I need for when I graduate.


I didn’t encounter any problems with Jericho Road Ministries. Matt was nothing but nice and gave constructive feedback on my work. He was flexible with my schedule and vice versa. I really like how the brochure turned out.


I didn’t realize the amount of writing that is involved in day-to-day activities, or how much PR practitioners really do write for an organization. It is a lot. But I enjoyed it. One thing I do not like, are formal planning sheets. I think they are really annoying. I would rather jot some things down on paper and work from that.


I am very pleased with how everything turned out this semester! I even received an award for all my hard work. I am very honored to be nominated and recognized. I really appreciate it.


I think more classes should do hands on projects like service learning. It gives students a chance to take what they have learned and give back to the community. It is a good way to gain experience and build a resume. Because I know, I need to build mine up some more!


I really can’t complain about this project. I was also very fortunate that I had a community partner that was easy to contact. I know some of the students in class felt like they were hassling their contact, or that their contact didn’t provide enough information. Matt and Jericho Road Ministries was the total opposite. We remained in contact throughout the semester and I went there I think 3 or 4 times. If I needed information I knew where to find it.


This class there was a lot of work involved, but because it was broken down accordingly, it wasn’t overbearing. It felt it was very manageable. I guess I am just rambling now, but everything this semester went very smooth for me! It was a great learning experience! I guess it’s a good thing I never did get in touch with PUSH Buffalo…..

Posted by Kelly at 11:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

COM 308W

Dr. Silverman

Reflection Paper #2

It took me a little while this semester to get started with a client, but once I did, I really got the ball rolling. I am currently writing for Jericho Road Ministries, in particular, The Priscilla Project. I have met with Matt Tice several times so far. And each meeting has been beneficial to the both of us. I am doing the writing that will be sent out to volunteers for The Priscilla Project. So my key public is mature, nurturing women. They are most likely middle-aged with families of their own. We are going to eventually send the brochure that I have been working on to local Women’s Bible Study groups and churches.


I have met with Elaine Smyth-Bogumil as well. I really appreciated her input for the brochure, because the volunteers will be in direct contact with her for their orientations. She also asked me to give her an example of a news release so that she can use for JERS. Which reminds that I should do that. My experience so far has been positive. Because Matt isn’t all that familiar with PR, he let me really use what I have learned and my creativity for the project. This was good because I was not sure what he was expecting. And he is very easy to work with and appreciates my time and effort in the project.


I have learned that a lot goes into PR writing. I spend a lot of time staring at my computer screen until I finish brainstorming what I want to say on paper. Sometimes it is frustrating, but I think I am getting better. Hopefully that shows in my writing.


I really do like the idea of Service Learning because this is what I will actually be doing when I graduate. I will retain so much more of this, rather than sitting in a class and listening to theories. I’m really glad I can take what I have learned and put it to good use already.


This project has also allowed me another opportunity to better my writing. I am currently blogging for the Career Development Center. They have set up a blog for the VSL project. I think that are actually going to get it up and running this week! So far, so good.

Posted by Kelly at 11:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

COM 308W

Dr. Silverman

Reflection Paper #1

My community partner for my Service Learning Project is Jericho Road Ministries. They are affiliated with Journey’s End, which is a service for refugees to help them start their new life in America. Jericho Road Ministries provides healthcare to not only refugees but also underprivileged women living in the West and East Sides of Buffalo. This branch of the family practice was started in 2003. They currently have a client base of 5,000 people on the West Side alone.


All of the refugees that benefited from the services provided by Jericho Road in 2005 were determined to be medically-at risk. There were instances of severe malnutrition and low-birth weight babies. This spawned a new idea for Jericho Road Ministries.


They want to create a Women-Mentoring-Women program. This would be staffed by volunteers. The volunteers would go through intensive training to create a trusting relationship with the 100 medically at-risk women that will be picked for the program. The women selected have been suffering from malnutrition, diabetes, anemia and pregnancy related complications. The volunteers would meet with the woman’s case worker and notify her of the living conditions, her day-to day health issues. The mentor will then help the mentee schedule appointments, learn proper nutrition and learn how to use the health care system in the United States, family planning, where to go for available pregnancy care services and environmental awareness which includes home safety. But most importantly, they will create a positive impact on a woman’s life, which will then better her family’s as well.


My job is to help create information such as fact sheets and brochures for the potential volunteers. Information like this will be used in recruiting volunteers and at Orientations. My key public will be the volunteers from churches and organizations like AmeriCorps.


I met with Matthew Tice at Jericho Road Ministries. He is a social worker there and helps with community relations. Walking into Jericho Road, you first see all of the pictures of the families and the women they have helped on the glass where the secretary sits. The secretary was also very warm. You get the impression that at Jericho Road, they genuinely care about the people they interact with. I think the Women Mentoring Women program is a great idea and I cant wait to start working on my informational packet.

Posted by Kelly at 11:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack