Someone to believe in us!

The following was written by junior Matthew Beckman, a Bachelor of Integrated Studies student, from Miami Hamilton about his experience working with the Boys & Girls Club program at Booker T. Washington Community Center.

Clint & I playing UNO at BTW with the kids!

My name is Matt Beckman and I am a student at Miami University Hamilton Campus. I have many nephews and nieces, but have never worked with children. During winter term I was chosen to participate in Sustained Service Scholars program to help children with their homework and reading. Volunteering at Booker T. Washington Community Center was one of the most challenging, rewarding, and heartfelt experiences of my life. 

I was met with many challenges as a tutor and reading coach at Booker T. Washington. The after school homework help program started right after school, so the kids were drained from school and the last thing that they want to do was work on more school. Through the lack of focus on the children's end I was able to teach myself patience and understanding. Some kids just did not want to work or had a bad day, so they would disrupt others and cause problems. To meet this challenge we would separate the kids who wanted to work and the problem starters.

Every day before I tutored I read this quote painted above the gym.
It gave me a boost of confidence knowing the struggles in life are
just a part of the ride. 

There is many rewarding aspects to tutoring kids and helping them read. Being able to directly impact poverty by helping kids and teaching them to value education is something that is rewarding in itself. When you work with a child and give them attention you see slight changes. For example, I worked with a 3rd grade girl with some behavioral problems. She would come in screaming, making rude comments to other children, and having attitude issues. When we would work on her homework she would get easily frustrated. After I looked in her eyes and reassured her that I believe in her and I am not giving up on her even though she wants me to I began to start to see slight changes. She began to open up more, sit in her chair, become more polite, work harder, and believe in herself. Now that same third grader is beginning to be the top reader and works hard and steadily on her homework. She is slow to dish out insults and quick to give a hug. See what I learned from that third grader is we all need someone to believe in us and not give up on us. It makes a huge difference in our attitudes in life. 

My heart was touched so many times as a Sustained Scholar at Booker T. Washington. After a few weeks of volunteering when the kids started to get used to me and I began to build solid relationships with the children. Everyday when I would leave there would be some child clinging to my hand telling me please don't go. If that doesn't pull on your heart strings I don't know what does. When you see a child's face light up when they get a problem right or you see a child apply what you taught them it touches your heart and changes you in a positive way. You feel that there is meaning and purpose to life once again. It's a hard pill to swallow that many of these kids who I know by name struggle with poverty, food insecurity, and very busy parents. I was able to help build a solid foundation for these kids by helping and telling them that education was a way to create a bright future. 

After having a conversation with a man who works at Booker T. I learned that some of the children do not have a male in the household to teach them things like riding a bike, playing catch, or fishing. The men that work at the community center fill that role for these kids and I was so blessed to meet every single one of them and take part in this experience. If you ever have a chance to make a difference in a child's life; take it you won't regret it. 

Matt also participated in the MLK Jr. March and National Days of Service! 

Top Left: Matt & Jeff Diver, Executive Director of S.E.L.F.

Scrubbing the bleachers! 

Group picture! 

It’s time to step up, take action!

The following was written by freshman Karen Mares, a speech pathology and audiology student, from Miami Hamilton about her experience working with the Boys & Girls Club program at Booker T. Washington Community Center. 

All good things must come to an end

         My time spent at BTW is unforgettable. It could be the worst day ever and as soon as I would walk in through the big, green doors there would always be someone to greet me and make me feel welcomed. The kids were wonderful and were always smiling. Elementary is such a fun age group to be around. I hope I made difference because I know they impacted my life.

Whether it was a gloomy or beautiful day my volunteer session would start off with signing in, of course, and having a casual talk with any of the staff around. I would arrive fifteen minutes prior to the students and set everything out with the help of the other volunteers. Once the children got to the room, that’s when the fun would start. The first hour was focused on homework. Although I got stumped on a couple of problems we would all work together to figure it out. I mostly worked with first graders but rotated constantly. The next hour was just for reading and taking A.R. tests. In this hour I was mostly with kindergarten but again rotated constantly. We worked on sight words as well. They would all get rewarded with candy and helllooo who doesn’t like candy? This was a strong motivation for all of them along with having a sticker chart for a pizza party if it all got filled in. At the end we would clean up and sign out. Out the door we went!

This experience, overall, made me realize that there is so much to life than just being self-centered. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and a simple “good job” could make a kids day. Positive comments make a huge difference. The children at BTW have great potential and I see a bright future in front of them. The right guidance and structure will keep them motivated to strive for the best. I can easily say all the staffs and volunteers were GREAT! I can’t stress enough that my experience was wonderful and I learned a lot about each individual. Although three weeks, four times a week, and two hours and thirty minutes a day may not seem like a long time, it was definitely plenty of time to increase their reading, homework, and even life skills.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in this and helped me with any questions or concerns I had. I encourage anyone to take part in our community and help out because although you may not notice the difference I guarantee someone will appreciate the time you volunteered. The world is our home no matter who you are or where you came from. It’s time to step up, take action, and share your story!

- -All good things come to an end, but they will always be remembered- -

Positive role models

The following was written by senior Catherine Snader, a nursing student, from Miami Hamilton about her experience working with the Boys & Girls Club program at Booker T. Washington Community Center. 

Over winter break I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Hamilton near the Miami Hamilton Campus along with other students.  We are working with students at the center in the after school homework and reading program.  Although we are only a couple weeks into the program it's amazing how much learning has taken place between the students and the volunteers.  That's the great thing about service learning, everyone gets to learn!  

Before the previous few weeks I didn't realize there was such a need for volunteers in our local community.  Often at the after school program there are more students needing help with their homework, than we have volunteers.  Not only do we help the students with their homework, but this week I realized how important it is for them to have positive role models in their lives.  At first I didn't know how the students would respond to doing their homework, but as soon as I walked in a little girl ran up to me and asked me if I would help her with her homework.  I am really looking forward to continue building positive relationships with these students.         

Winter Sustained Service Scholars!

The Center for Civic Engagement at Miami University Hamilton is excited to bring the incredibly successful Sustained Service Scholars program to the Miami "Winter Term"!! 

During the first three weeks of January Miami students have the opportunity to take accelerated classes! These three weeks are known as "Winter term". This term is a great opportunity for students to participate in short study aboard trips, complete Miami Plan requirements online, or extend their winter break. While this term is a great opportunity for students to do something out of the norm, it leaves a number of our community partners in need of consistent volunteers, much like the summer. 

Hamilton Boys & Girls Club had such an amazing experience with the Sustained Service Scholars over the summer and approached Miami University Hamilton in order to provide volunteers to their program at the Booker T. Washington Community Center! Of course, we were more than happy to set up another Sustained Service Scholars program! 

From January 5th-January 23rd we have five Miami Hamilton students participating in the Sustained Service Scholars program at Booker T. Washington with the Boys & Girls Club program! Three of the Sustained Service Scholars are volunteering 4 days a week!! The scholars attended an orientation on Friday December 19th. During orientation the Scholars had an opportunity to meet with Tanya Lowry, the Booker T. Washington Community Center Director and Karen Miller, Director of Hamilton Boys & Girls Club. They toured the center and learned more about their role in the Boys & Girls club program! 

Thank you to the Booker T. Washington Community Center, Hamilton Boys & Girls Club and most of all the students for the wonderful opportunity and service that we're able to provide to the youth at BTW!