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Summary How patriarchy and feminism are present in chloe
My essay describes how patriarchy and feminism are present in Chloe
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An essay (800-1,000 words) on the topic: "How volunteering with children/youth in thecommunity has changed my perspective."
From September 2016 to September 2019, I volunteered at the Stratford Public Library
in the reading buddy program. I provided one-on-one support and encouragement to school-age
children who were either reluctant readers or just needed some gentle help. Each Reading
Buddy session is eight weeks in duration, requiring a commitment from me to be here once a
week for all eight weeks. During the 2.5 years of being in this program, I experienced a shift in
my perspective that changed the way I think today.
At the beginning of this period in my early years of volunteering in this program, I often
thought about how I would do such a feat. I was worried about how I was going to do it. I
learned that I could learn how I could interact with kids with others' support and help them learn
to read. I learned from the more experienced volunteers there and learned from Trish, the
program supervisor. Having their support, in the beginning, shifted my thinking around from my
thoughts. From how am I going to do this, to wow, I really can do this!. It helped instill
confidence in me socially. I learned how to see things from a positive perspective rather than a
negative perspective. Having done reading buddies not only shifted my mindset to a positive,
but it also helped develop some skills that I never thought I would learn.
While I volunteered in the reading buddy programs, I learned to develop skills that I
never thought I would. I learned how to be responsible for a child. When I was at the library and
reading with them in the timeslot, I was in charge of their safety. I learned not to underestimate
this. I realized that I was to not let them out of my site at any time because things could happen.
I learned to take this responsibility seriously. I learned how to deal with a child when they were
out of line, something new. I also learned how to support and encourage a child when they read.
This step would be done by saying positive things like "hey, you did it, good job!" When a kid
was reluctant to read, I learned tips and tricks on dealing with the situation effectively. I learned
how to encourage them to read by saying things like, "what does this word say? Can you read
this to me?" If they were distracted or, as one kid did, "can we play a game now?" I would
effectively say things like, "We can play a game of your choice if you read this book to me." This
strategy worked a lot of the time. I also learned how to engage with children in a healthy
manner. One kid was once crazy about checkers, and since I knew some things, I taught them a
technique that could help them a lot. He eventually beat me in a couple of games at the end,
using some of the techniques I showed him. Having learned these skills changed my
perspective on things. I used to think that this was like a job in the beginning. Now having been
volunteering in this program, I feel like it is more than just a task. It is what essentially
volunteering is. Helping kids learn to be the best version of themselves and positively help them
achieve their life goals.
I also changed my perspective by becoming self-centred to becoming more outside
myself and thinking about other people. I learned this because I helped the little kids learn to
read by volunteering in this program. I had a kid once that came in and barely knew how to
read. He liked lego books. Although I would think about myself and my worries on the way
there, it was about him learning to read as soon as I got there. It helped retrain my brain from
thinking about myself to thinking about how he was feeling. This kind of mentality helped him
progress two levels higher. It helped him gain confidence and helped his reading.
, Now I am more aware of how I am affecting other people from my actions. It helped me
see that I can feel good from what I am giving to that person if I give to people. It taught me
empathy through helping others. I also learned to be selfless through caring for others. I was
caring for a child that needed my help in reading. I had a very moving experience one time. I
came to volunteering one day after getting into some personal troubles and thinking about
getting out of them. When that same day, I had a child that once told me that his father died. He
was distraught. I can never forget that day. I still see him now and again as I pass his house. It
reminds me of how in pain he was. He was without a father. I could see and am still emotional
by it. But it helped me forget all about my problems. It helped me know what kinds of things
these kids go through daily. Being around them for 30 minutes x2 each week, I would hear a lot
about their personal lives as many of them are chatty. It helped me get out of my head and see
other people.
In the end, volunteering for the reading buddies program at the Stratford Public Library
helped shift my thoughts from being all about myself to thinking about others. It helped me learn
new skills that I still carry with me today. It taught me confidence, and it helped me learn how to
interact with kids. Having this experience will carry on with me throughout the rest of my life.
• (30%) - How the student has shown leadership in the community is beyond the minimum
required hours. Preference will be given to those involved in child/youth-centred volunteerism
and individuals who have overcome adversity and are now serving as role models.
Throughout my volunteering at the Stratford Public Library, I have demonstrated
leadership in the community.
For starters, I volunteered over 117.30 hours more than was required. A good part of
these hours came from volunteering with the Stratford Public Library's reading buddy program.
As quoted by Kate Schillings, the manager of volunteer services, "Each Reading Buddy session
is 8 weeks in duration, requiring a commitment from the volunteer to be here once a week for all
8 weeks. Tanner completed an impressive ten sessions over the first 2.5 years of his 3 years
with the library." I demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteering in the reading buddy
program, and I volunteered for 2.5 years. This is why Kate also quotes, "For this commitment, I
was pleased to nominate Tanner for an Ontario Volunteer Service Award (Youth) which
recognizes youth with 2+ years of service to their community." I was nominated for my
continuous leadership and dedication in the program at the library in this program. I worked with
over 20 kids in my time volunteering, and many of these kids were repeats because they
requested me back. As quoted by one of my buddies' mothers, "Hi Trish, My kids are going to
miss reading buddies tomorrow...totally forgot that camp Galbraith goes until 5 pm. Isabel is
very sad and has asked to skip Galbraith so she can come to reading buddies! Please tell
Tanner he is a star. I am assuming this is the last week I did not want to forget." As you can see,
this is one of many kids that requested me again. Trish also wrote a personal card to me. This is
what it says "Dear Tanner. Wow! You have dazzled me this season of reading buddies. You
have worked well with Oliver and Bentley. I admire the way you come up with effective
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