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F THE LEAF|Oct 27, 2015|SHSLEAF.ORG
Service learning at SHS
[Ryan Tufts, 10]
ADHITI CHUNDUR beats editor
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ervice learning, or the “integration of meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience,” allows individuals to give back and learn about their community. This summer six SHS students and two faculty members participated in a week-long immersive service learning program guided by the Mayerson Foundation, which aids marginalized groups, including people in poverty, children, and people with disabilities. Ms. Renee Hevia said, “absolutely one of the most profound experience that I think the kids had. I didn’t realize how young people were that were experiencing homelessness. Mayerson does a fantastic job collaborating with all of the agencies that serve the people experiencing homelessness on our city.” Four schools, including SHS, Bishop Fenwick, Roger Bacon, and Withrow sent a total of 28 students to participate in the camp, led by program director Clare Blankemeyer. Sophomore Ryan Tufts said, “the person who stuck with me most was the supervisor of the program , Clare Blankemeyer. Clare’s the type of person who thrives off of making others’ lives
better, which really inspired me to try to be the same way.” In the morning, students visited many different organizations throughout the week, such as Community Matters, Freestore Foodbank, Tender Mercies, Gabriel’s Place, and Our Daily Bread. They interacted with workers and served community members. Junior Allison Miller said, “My favorite part of the camp was the people. Whether it was the people I was working with or the people I was helping, I feel like everyone was able to create a great bond and when you have connection with the people you serve with or are serving it makes it a really deep and also fun experience.” In the evening there were guest speakers, who talked about homelessness, philanthropy, and public art. Senior Martin Gonzalez said, “Deborah stuck with me the most because she was the first guest speaker we had, as well as the first person we met who had gone through poverty and homelessness, so her stories of her first hand experiences with these issues made an instant impression on me.” Organizations such as the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and Faces Without
[ Homelessness in Cincinnati ] Children
Source: GCHC
61% Adult 39% Children
55% Over 5 45% Under 5
Places work primarily with children, and provide them with a place to learn and socialize. Senior Astrid Cabello said, “Faces Without Places was the organization that most impacted me. I love working with kids and in a school setting so being able to work as teacher’s assistants for the week was right up my alley.” The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition (GCHC) works with community members and organizations to advocate and fight for the rights of the homeless community. Through the Day-by-Day Calendar program, students and people experiencing homelessness or poverty (distributors), work side-by-side and photograph various landmarks around Cincinnati for the calendar. Distributors also sell Streetvibes, a local newspaper, for two dollars to help earn an income. During the camp, students took to the streets and attempted to sell Streetvibes themselves. Cabello said, “my favorite part of the camp has to be all of the people I met. The influential leaders, inspirational people who shared their stories, and the insightful campers all made my experience one I will truly treasure.”
2% Native American 13% Hispanic 35% Caucasian
‘What I learned’
1% Asian American 49% AfricanAmerican
[Astrid Cabello, 12]
“I learned that the stereotypes you hear of people experiencinghomelessnessare almost always false. People always think that people experiencinghomelessnessare drunks, druggies, dirty, and so on. But that’s completely untrue. These people are human beings who are just trying to get through this rough patch of poverty. Service learning gave me a passion for helping people, so many new friends, and a wake up call to this problem we call homelessness. It’s truly one of the most rewarding things out there.”
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“Poverty and homeless in Cincinnati is way more rampant and drastic than one would think. Being aware of the mass amounts of people facing homelessness has given me a heightened compassion for those struggling.”
Streetvibes
[Martin Gonzalez, 12] “What I discovered about myself is that I have a passion for helping and serving others and I love bringing a smile to people’s faces. “ I learned how large of an issue homelessness is in downtown Cincinnati, and that often times the people experiencing these struggles just need a helping hand to get back on their feet. My favorite part about the camp was losing touch with materialism and unimportant things for a week while appreciating the little things and realizing what matters most in life. It was a very thought provoking and self reflecting week.”
Streetvibes is a newspaper devoted to homelessness, poverty, and social justice issues. It gives a platform to the “invisible” members in the city.
[Mrs. Marnie May] English Teacher “I was mostly interested in the women and men who sold Streetvibes. I loved how they were immersing themselves into the community to make it better. Some people move out of their communities as soon as it is financially possible; however, these individuals wanted to stay and help when they managed to gain some monetary independence. I think they are brave people. Many of us who live in the ‘suburb bubble’ aren't aware of their stories.”
[Katie Werner, 11]
“The experience that stuck with me the most was selling Streetvibes because you see how people look down on homeless people and judge them just because of stereotypes.”
AllphotoscourtesyofMayersonFoundation
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[Allison Miller, 11]
“One day, we were on the streets trying to sell a thing called Streetvibes. We were supposed to put ourselves in the position of the vendors who get by everyday from selling them. I was in the street and there were times when people would literally go a different way on the sidewalk just to avoid me. Or they’d avoid looking into my eyes or smiling or just ignore me. It really makes you feel what those people feel. A lot of their sanity depends on selling these things and when people treat them like that it really sucks. It really shows how they keep their sense of dignity even though this stuff happens, so make sure to buy one or talk to a vendor if you ever see one, because it really makes a difference.”