It's Thursday May 26, 2016. It was a different kind of morning, a cloudy, sleeping in a little later kind of morning. We took a 30 min drive to Hollis Adams, which is located in a different part of Indianapolis with beautiful houses. Hollis Adams is held in the lower level of Hope Covenant Church. Kim greeted us at the door and gave us a brief introduction of the program. Kim was very enthusiastic as she was describing some of the participants. As we walked down to the lower level, the participants started to walk towards us. I was very surprised to spot some familiar faces who were from OTB. The participants chose their "buddies." This sweet gentleman named Adam chose me. Adam was so friendly and interactive; he told me he lives with roommates and his dog. I was pleased to know he was very independent. Adam and I did many different activities throughout the day. I would say our favorite was music time. Adam sure is a dancer, athletic and a tight hugger.
For part of our day, we went with some Hollis Adams participants to take part in a kickball game with students at a nearby Catholic grade school. Each Hollis Adams participant was matched up with one grade school student who would run with them from base to base, etc. The school has a program called Everybody Counts in which students in different grades learn about different social issues and then serve with that community. So, the students participating in the kickball game were the ones who have been learning about disabilities! The rest of the school was on the side watching and cheering everyone on. It was really cool to see how encouraging the children were towards the participants with disabilities. During reflection, we discussed how this is a wonderful program and that it probably greatly impacts how those children view people with differing abilities.
It was also really interesting to get to see a different approach to day programs for adults with special needs today! Both organizations seek to empower their participants and provide meaningful days for them, but the way the programs run is different. I feel that it's nearly impossible for what we see as meaningful or successful for the community members to not be influenced by what our society views as success and meaning. We also talked about this in reflection and decided that all we can do is reflect on our perspectives and try to view things from other perspectives.
- Melissa & Jessi
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Day 5
May 25, 2016
Today was our last day at both Warren ECC and OTB. Because it was the last day of school for Warren ECC, many of the activities were more based on socializing for the kids instead of being based on a curriculum. I thought it was great how the kids would ask to be read to, and we also got a chance to play games and draw with them. I found that despite only spending two days with them, the kids were very responsive to communication with us. By the third day, they were freely giving hugs, tugging on our arms, and asking us if we were going to come back again. It was at this point I recognized the importance of consistent stimulation in terms of childhood development. Because we were so interactive with the kids, they wanted to see us more so that they can be as engaged on a daily basis
Over at OTB, the group was split into indirect and direct services. Parts of the group got split into gardening, storage room cleaning, tidying up, and group work. Although it was strange that not everyone got contact with the participants at OTB, it was apparent that the indirect service made a big impact on how the organization ran. The facilitators were so busy interacting with the special needs adults that there was little time to weed the garden, clean the patio, sanitize the bathroom, or vacuum the community room. Even so, the community partners were very appreciative of the service we were able to offer.
- Tina
I woke up at 6am this morning. Somebody ate all the honey nut Cheeriohs!! But the multi-grain wasn’t so bad. Oh and I finally finished my last bagel which is a serious blessing. That thing was not nearly as soft as it was when I bought it. We traveled to the Warren center for their last day. I didn’t get to drive the van which made I was quietly salty about but I know my place. I got to work in the self-contained class today… I have trouble with kids. But these kids were alright. Remember that dancing banana that sings peanut butter jelly from way back in 2008? These kids freaking love that video. They just absolutely freak out! One of the kids liked my hair band so I gave it to her and as far as I know she still has it on her wrist. Adorbs. We then traveled to OTB for our last day of service. We did indirect service today which meant weeding in the garden. Clara, Morgan, Tina and I had a solid convo during and really bonded or whatever. All in all pretty great day. It’s pretty late. I’m tired. I’m going to bed now.
-Cotter
Today was our last day at both Warren ECC and OTB. Because it was the last day of school for Warren ECC, many of the activities were more based on socializing for the kids instead of being based on a curriculum. I thought it was great how the kids would ask to be read to, and we also got a chance to play games and draw with them. I found that despite only spending two days with them, the kids were very responsive to communication with us. By the third day, they were freely giving hugs, tugging on our arms, and asking us if we were going to come back again. It was at this point I recognized the importance of consistent stimulation in terms of childhood development. Because we were so interactive with the kids, they wanted to see us more so that they can be as engaged on a daily basis
Over at OTB, the group was split into indirect and direct services. Parts of the group got split into gardening, storage room cleaning, tidying up, and group work. Although it was strange that not everyone got contact with the participants at OTB, it was apparent that the indirect service made a big impact on how the organization ran. The facilitators were so busy interacting with the special needs adults that there was little time to weed the garden, clean the patio, sanitize the bathroom, or vacuum the community room. Even so, the community partners were very appreciative of the service we were able to offer.
- Tina
I woke up at 6am this morning. Somebody ate all the honey nut Cheeriohs!! But the multi-grain wasn’t so bad. Oh and I finally finished my last bagel which is a serious blessing. That thing was not nearly as soft as it was when I bought it. We traveled to the Warren center for their last day. I didn’t get to drive the van which made I was quietly salty about but I know my place. I got to work in the self-contained class today… I have trouble with kids. But these kids were alright. Remember that dancing banana that sings peanut butter jelly from way back in 2008? These kids freaking love that video. They just absolutely freak out! One of the kids liked my hair band so I gave it to her and as far as I know she still has it on her wrist. Adorbs. We then traveled to OTB for our last day of service. We did indirect service today which meant weeding in the garden. Clara, Morgan, Tina and I had a solid convo during and really bonded or whatever. All in all pretty great day. It’s pretty late. I’m tired. I’m going to bed now.
-Cotter
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