Service
learning is a teaching method designed to involve students in authentic and
meaningful service to their communities. It makes connections between the
classroom and the community as well as provides structured time for students to
reflect on their service experiences. Service learning is intended to instill a
sense of civic responsibility by encouraging students to assess their impact
upon the community as active contributors to society.
The Salvation Army offers such a meaningful service location. Jean Seeland, VCCV Youth
Program Coordinator has had great success in the past working with the
organization in a variety of ways. Here’s a few examples of the partnership:
A
4th grade class from Poyner Elementary served lunch at the Salvation Army. The
issue of focus was poverty and homelessness. The experience was an incredibly
successful for both the students and the people who came for lunch. The lunch
participants were delighted to see young people helping out the community and
enjoyed talking and interacting with them. The students learned valuable
lessons about service, thankfulness for their own circumstances and an
introduction regarding diversity in our community.
Another
class at Poyner chose to address the topic of homelessness as well. The students
collected toiletry items and bagged them to present to the homeless shelters
run by the Salvation Army. Again, valuable lessons were learned while providing
a worthwhile end result.
The
Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley’s Youth Action Council conducted a book drive for
the Salvation Army last fall. Boxes of books were presented to the after school
program at the Salvation Army.
Additionally,
an ELP class at Hoover conducted a workshop on reading at the Public Library
and invited the younger children from the Salvation Army after school program
to participate.
The
Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley was the recipient of a “Be a Joy Maker” grant
from the HandsOn Network. The Volunteer Center worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs
of the Cedar Valley to ring bells for the Salvation Army during the holiday
season.
As
you can see the VCCV has worked well with the Salvation Army and youth have all
benefited.
The
Salvation Army has an ongoing need for volunteers:
- Kitchen
helpers are needed to assist in preparing and serving the noon time meal
from 10:30 a.m. until at least 1:00 p.m.
- A
volunteer driver with a very good driving record is occasionally needed to
drive clients to Iowa City for medical appointments. Volunteer drivers
will use the Salvation Army vehicle.
- Volunteers
age 16 and over are needed to mow lawns, keep up property, and provide
some miscellaneous janitorial work. Volunteers must be able to stand or walk
for a period of time.
Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley
for more information at (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org.
