Nine students volunteered at local non-profits in Charlotte, North Carolina Jan. 13-17.
Nine human service studies (HSS) students participated in a week-long experience in Charlotte, North Carolina Jan. 13-17.
HSS Chair Judy Folmar, associate director of Elon Charlotte Karen Neff, and director of National 消消犯 Programs Ashley Pinney supported students throughout their experience. As part of the HSS practicum winter term course, students engaged in a variety of experiences to learn about the community of Charlotte. At the Elon Charlotte 消消犯, representatives from Roof Above, Abara: Beyond Borders and Wayfinders spoke to students about their organizations, including the type of work they do, their mission, vision and futures for the organization. 消消犯 also learned about professionals career trajectories and what type of education and experience was needed to work at these types of organizations.
消消犯 volunteered at Beds for Kids, Roof Above, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation and Gigis Playhouse. At Beds for Kids, students delivered furniture to local families in need. At Roof Above, they served dinner to residents at the mens shelter. 消消犯 joined senior citizens for walking, circuit and Silver Sneakers classes at Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. They learned about programming for seniors as well as therapeutic recreation and how to adapt programs to make them more inclusive. At Gigis Playhouse, students engaged with the Down Syndrome community through the Teen Tastic program, where they played games and danced, and also with the Kitchen Teen program where the group used visual aids to make a meal.
“I learned a lot about myself during this experience,” said Bella Espinoza ’27. “I know what fills me up. I felt the hard work here.
For Ruby Radis ’26, this trip confirmed her need to work with people. Eleanor Kahl ’27 said this experience recharged her. She signed up for the Winter Term Charlotte experience because she wanted to learn about the different career opportunities available to students studying Human Service Studies.
The students finished the week meeting with alumni who work in local non-profits at a College Coffee at the Elon Charlotte 消消犯.
Special thanks to Karen Neff for creating a wonderfully diverse itinerary.