It's a chain reaction, and it all started with a single book.

The following was written by junior, Erika Eustaquio, a biology student, from Miami University about her experience working with the Boys & Girls Club on East Avenue with the Accelerated Reader (AR) program. 

        For the Sustained Service Scholars  program, I arrived at the Boys & Girls Club every Tuesday throughout the summer for a couple of hours to read with and to children. After reading the book, they would take a quiz, and depending on how well they did they could get a piece of candy. They could earn a bigger prize (stuffed animal or toy) if they read five books in one day, and depending on how many books they read throughout the summer they could earn their personal pool party (there was a pool located right outside the building).

        Prior to joining the SSS Program, I didn’t know what to expect; all I knew is that I wanted to make my summer productive by making a difference.The program made me realize that no matter how little or how much service one does, it is not discredited; it gets passed on in some type of form. Coming in once a week may not sound like a lot, but every minute spent with each child goes a long way. Their reading capabilities ranged from not knowing how to read at all to being able to read past their grade level. Although every kid did read at his/her own pace, I can guarantee that each one has improved his/her reading through this summer program. It was rewarding to see the look on their faces when they earned their first stuffed animal, get that 100% on their quiz, or even sound a word out correctly. The potential in these kids is insane; in particular, I know of a little reader who does not understand nor speak English, but he can READ English. How mind blowing!

        There’s not a doubt in my mind that these kids will be the light of our future, and it all starts with just a little guidance. I think its crucial that children have guidance and are surrounded by genuinely sincere role models while they're young, especially when it comes to learning; it helps mold a sturdy foundation for their futures. And with a bright future, comes a potential drive to help others as they grow.For example, one of the workers I met there is actually a product of the Boys & Girls Club. A lot of these kids look up to us volunteers, and hopefully they become inspired and strive to be like us. It's a chain reaction, and it all started with a single book.

Deb, Erika & Ryan

Remember to play after every storm

Buckeye Adolescent Center

The below was written by Eileen Turain, Community Relations Director at Sojourner Recovery Center. Eileen volunteered along side the Miami Hamilton Student volunteers this summer the at Buckeye Adolescent Center.  The Sojourner Sustained Service Scholars and Coordinator, Rachael Lange, would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Eileen for allowing us to set up this program and for being with us every step of the way! We would also like to thank Sojourner for providing all of the games, toys and materials to make our program successful!! 

WOW!!  What a summer!  THANK YOU MUH!!  Thank you to; Amada, Rachel, Jamie, Robynne and Rachael and Sarah!  Thank you MUH for including Sojourner as part of your Sustained Service Scholars (SSS) program!!  The Sustained Service Scholars program was NEW and UNIQUE to our organization.  MUH reached out to us to make a difference in the lives of our Adolescent Residential clients.  That they did!!  THANK YOU!!

Sojourner has offered Behavioral Health Services to the Butler County area since 1984.  Our MUH volunteers spent priceless time this summer with one of our many programs; our Adolescent Residential Program, where teens live in a safe and secure environment, to focus on their changes of life to reach sobriety and maintain it when they return to their community.  We started our summer work with our MUH SSS volunteers around a classroom table; 3 of our Sojourner staff, our SSS volunteer group, and MUH’s incredible AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, Rachael.  Who would have guessed that after three months, we (staff, volunteers, and clients) would get to serve side by side with each other, create lasting memories, learn new skills, and make new friends?!? 

This summer, we were able to observe growth, understanding, friendship, care, compassion, wit and the real joy of witnessing teens learn new skills and have fun.  To many of our clients, the mere concept of, “going outside to play,” may be extremely new.

This project solidified our understanding of community interests in helping create positive opportunities for our clients; opportunities for their own unique personal growth.  We played games like kickball and foursquare, wiffleball, and badminton.  We also played stationary games like UNO, Jenga, Catch Phrase, etc.  Some of our most amazing moments happened during those “around the table” games, where we heard intellectual thoughts and true wit become part of a game of Catch Phrase or cards.  We were part of multiple priceless moments when, a teen would start off a bit standoffish or apprehensive about joining in a game, and then find themselves laughing and engaging in a game or activity on their own accord.  We all were given a gift by being part of these moments.

We started this summer project more structured by planning out activities and games.  It was noteworthy watching the summer unfold and the volunteer focus change from planned games to the MUH volunteers offering our Sojourner teens the openness to decide, create, change directions, and just play.  Our MUH volunteers were brilliant in being engaged at all times, while giving each of our clients the freedom to, “just be kids.”

We learned we can see beauty all around us; in playing a game of wiffleball, seeing the broad smile on the face of a young person who may not have smiled in quite some time, to hear one teen say to another, “good job,” to experience a group of people from many different walks of life and ages, come together to play games and enjoy a summer day.

This project was unique.  We started with a seed of an idea and saw it bloom into something bigger than the sum of its parts.  Each person contributed and committed to the process; clients, volunteers, staff.  The MUH volunteers opened opportunities to be part of this process in a way that was welcoming for all. This was more than playing kickball or UNO or Catchphrase, or Four Square.  This was about being human together.  Our vehicle was simply “play.”
Something very unique and intentional is blossoming out of this project.  Our volunteers suggested creating a “KINDNESS WALL” by sharing our clients’ artistic talents and their positive words of encouragement.  The idea is coming to fruition with the help of Miami University and others dedicated to the project.  We hope to share the KINDNESS WALL in various locations around Hamilton, where passersby can read kind messages and share their own messages of LIFE*HOPE*COMMUNITY!

We at Sojourner look forward to our continued relationship with Miami University volunteers!  THANK YOU MUH SSS!!!

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." 
                                                                                                                                      -Plato

A Bittersweet Ending

The following was written by junior Jamie Whitemore, nursing student and STAYcation alumnus, from Miami Hamilton about her experience working with Sojourner Recovery Services Adolescent Center.

Throughout the course of the summer, I have volunteered at Sojourner Recovery Services. I volunteered one day a week for two hours. During this time, we played various games and participated in many different activities with the residents.  I remember I was very nervous as we were standing on the front porch doorsteps on that very first day waiting to be greeted by the residents.  However, as the summer progressed, I was no longer nervous and found myself looking forward to Mondays and yearning for that time to come. At times, it was challenging to engage the residents, but I knew our group was there for a purpose and we welcomed this challenge. Unfortunately, I was sick one day and not able to be there. I was surprised by how much I found myself missing everyone. This week, the residents participated in a low ropes activity. It wasn’t until this time that I realized it was no longer ‘us’ and ‘them”. It seemed as if we were coming together as one. It was nice to see how the group transformed over the nine weeks we spent together.

We only have one week left with the young men and women of Sojourner and I can only hope that I have impacted their lives in the powerful ways they have impacted mine.  It was a pleasure to get to know each individual. I realized each of us had a lot in common, despite coming from different backgrounds.  My only hope is that each of them remember the time we spent together and take those memories with them as they move forward with their lives in a positive direction.  After spending the summer with the fine young folks of Sojourner, I know each of them are capable of creating a bright future for themselves.  We may never cross paths again, but each of them touched my life in such a way that will be with me forever.  It is a bittersweet ending to an opportunity that proved to be a great life experience! 

Below are a few pictures from the low ropes course. See the rest here! 

Jamie doing the low ropes course! 

Eileen trying to find her way out!