Service Learning

For my service learning hours I volunteered at the Ignite food pantry and at the Chesapeake mobile pantry put on by the foodbank of south hampton roads, on november 26th and 27th, 2019. 
Day/time of the activities: My 5 hours of volunteering were done midday, at ignite I worked 11-2pm and at the Chesapeake pantry I worked 10:30-1:30. 
Short summary of what you did in the experience. While volunteering I gave directions to those going through the free pantry and gave frozen turkeys at the ignite pantry. At the mobile pantry I bagged fresh produce for “grab and go” and then passes out bagged white potatoes as people went through the outdoor pantry in the parking lot of the church. 
Please write a description of the Community Partner(s) by answering these questions:
What is their purpose / mission? 
“IGNITE people’s hearts to change the city.” is ignites mission statement. Their goal as they state is to not just preach jesus but embody him as they say. They were created for the purpose of providing for the city and areas in the most pain and need.
The food bank’s mission statement: “Since 1981, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, a member of Feeding America™ and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, has been providing food for hungry people throughout Southeastern Virginia and on the Eastern Shore.” 
What services does the partner provide? They provide food, at Ignite it’s typically canned, boxed or bagged goods. At the Mobile pantry it is put on by the food bank and they had fresh produce in large containers: broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, bananas, and onions. They also had frozen chicken and bagged bread. 
What needs of the community do they address? They address the needs of those that may lack the ability to afford food and provide for themselves or their families. The only question asked is how many people in their “household” and or how many people are they providing for. 
After reflecting on your service-learning activity/activities how have your values, opinions, and/or beliefs changed? Be specific. After doing my service learning it really humbled me. I never thought on a deeper level how truly expensive food can be and how despite having a job there still can be a lack of money to buy/provide food. I was profound by how many people came to the Chesapeake pantry (roughly 150 people). While serving, I was very observant and could see how life truly can be difficult in all shapes and forms. Somepeople seemed as if they needed food for their children and family but had a home to go back to cook the food. Some I believe were completely homeless and stated they had nothing to cook food with. The whole experience really made me realize how easy my life is even when I think it’s hard. 
Based on the experience you listed above and in your service-learning experience, how have those impacted your desire to pursue a career in ____________?
Volunteering really made me realize how badly I want to give back and help people. Teachers play a vital role in a child’s life and shape them not only education but sometimes traits and personality. Life would be very different without such a pushed importance on education in our society and seeing how much of an impact small acts of kindness make a difference. 
Thinking about the service-learning experience, and community partner:
How do these services relate to your intended career field ? They relate to the healthcare field (my prior major) greatly due to food being a necessity of life and overall health. 
What Degree Program (other than your current major) could it relate to? I believe human services would be a well related major to the volunteering I did. They help focus on the well being of humans and areas overall and if there is a large amount of poverty and lack of food in an area human services can step in and help provide. 
Would you choose to pursue that major as your parallel major? I would love to work in human services I believe it would be a great alternate with still the aspect of helping people and having an impact on their life. I could still work with kids in need and provide the needed education and help needed. 
Why or why not? I think the only problem would be the switch in courses due to the classes being different compared to an education major. 
Study habits
How much time do you spend studying for each class now vs. at the beginning of the semester? I spend much more time studying now than the beginning of the semester I would say I went from under 3 hours a week to 7 plus hours. 
How have your study habits changes? I spend much more time on campus and in the library compared to the beginning of the semester. As well as the tutoring center for chemistry. I make quizlets to study as well as do every study guide given to me. 
What specific study techniques do you think works best for you? How do these vary from class to class? Quizlets are a very good helpful to me in memorization for all my classes as well a group studying. About 3 times a week I book a study room after my class and get a group of friends together and we all help each other understand what’s going on in class or just review. Specifically for chemistry I use khan academy to help review and get extra practice. 
Transition to college
What did you expect college would be like 14 weeks ago? Starting college I honestly didn’t know what to expect I knew it would be a change from high school and believed I would have more free time, boy was I wrong. It was a huge change from high school not just in schedule but in difficulty and learning style. I will say fully and honestly my first semester of college kicked my butt and was a very big learning experience
What is a resource or activity you have found helpful this semester? Academically: Chemistry tutoring was a blessing as well as library study rooms being able to get away and be alone and in a quiet space was very helpful. Socially: Joining a sorority was a big help when it came to my mental health and overall confidence. Another perk was having older sisters that could tutor me in classes they’ve already taken. 
What is something you wish you knew 14 weeks ago? I wish I knew how different college was gonna be and wish I could’ve mentally prepared myself for the challenge and time commitment.
Name something you have learned this semester that will assist you next semester? I now know the time commitment and how challenging classes are therefore I am better prepared for next semester. As well as I know where all the tutoring centers are to get extra help when need be