Community Service Reflection Paper

Our client is an intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled individuals under the age of twenty-two years. The campus consists of several residential, educational and administrative buildings and recreational areas on twenty-six acres of land.

My life's journey is aspiring to further my education to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as well as acquiring the credentials for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Upon achieving a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, I plan to apply my skills in a rehabilitation setting focusing on individuals with disabilities. My goal is to make an impact in the lives of many families and to empower these individuals to strive to their fullest potential. Furthermore, I find it gratifying helping individuals reach their goals and most importantly their dreams. I am currently working with the community and volunteering with the Autism Services Clinic at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Assisting children with special needs has been an exceptional

The facility provides medical care for children and adolescents with severe physical and intellectual impairment conditions. The TWSCCC provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, 24-hour Respiratory Therapy services, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, Licensed On-site teachers, and a large variety of specialty care services (Truman W. Smith). The facility offers a viable and solicitous option for parents who are unable to take of their chronically ill children in their home, and for children who have been placed in state custody. The TWSCCC allows patients to receive the care they need and might otherwise not receive, in an adequately equipped facility via a staff of specialized care providers who advocate for the patients wants, rights, and well-being. The TWSCCC facility welcomes residents regardless of race, gender, religion, or economic status.

Community service is an act of selflessness that grows a caring community. Community only consists on what it’s members are willing to contribute to it. Personally, it is my pristine pride to assist the community in it’s development it into a bountiful place for all.

Community service, one of the several pillars outlined by the National Honors Society (NHS), is defined as the desire to work and serve the community in order to improve the conditions for the citizens who dwell in it. Most importantly, those who uphold those standards do so without the need of money, or recognition; they are simply intrinsically motivated to make the world a better place. It wasn’t until I volunteered at an event hosted by the Jubilee Center that I learned the true meaning of community service and charity.

After her time at the habilitation program, she moved to Colorado. Her first job in Colorado was at the Rise School of Denver, which “provides services to children with and without disabilities through an inclusive education model.” During her time at the Rise School, the executive director of Adams Camp reached out to her and provided a job description that immediately captured her interest. She rapidly transitioned into the Adams Camp environment and found her home. Jordan has the opportunity to serve 350 families every year in both Adventure Camp and other therapeutic programs that is offered by Adams Camp. But, it hasn’t all been an easy road for her at Adams Camp. She voiced, “With an aging population, we are tasked with creating age appropriate services for all. The other challenge is finding more empowering opportunities for our population.” Most people with developmental disabilities can live a long and fulfilled life, but their special needs vary by age. At the moment, Adams Camp prioritizes younger clients in order to prepare them properly for their futures. But because Jordan is so dedicated to improving the lives’ of others, she

The Rehabilitation Institute of Southern California in Orange County (RIO) was initially established and founded in 1950 to improve the quality of life among disabled children and adults. Since then, the organization has branched off into two additional locations in Fullerton, CA and San Clemente, CA. With all facilities focusing on improving the quality of life among disabled children and adults, therapy programs range from social services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nursing services along with hour-to-hour activities and an on-site dietician to cater to the client’s dietary needs. Today, RIO of Orange also offers additional programs within their facility such as an infant day care, child development program, preschool, and also aquatic exercise classes. The general population within the organization varies. Within the mission statement, RIO of Orange assures that services are provided without regard to age, race, creed, sexual orientation, and gender (Riorehab.org, 2016).

In this position, I provided case management for a diverse group of HIV+ clients who were experiencing homelessness and psychosocial challenges. Meeting with clients on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, together we would create an Individual Care Plan (ICP) to determine their needs, and set small, obtainable goals for them to achieve. I also collaborated with social workers, nurses, food suppliers, nutritionist, and other community services to assist in increasing each client’s ability to reach their goals. This position ended this past April due to anticipated cuts in HIV related grants. Thereafter, I accepted my present position as a Social Work Coordinator (SWC) and Direct Service Provider (DSP) at Enriching Lives. As a DSP, I work one-on-one with individuals with developmental disabilities and assist them in reaching their social, financial, personal, and educational goals. As a SWC, I work with family home providers, regional center coordinators, health providers, day program staff, consultants, and the California Department of Social Services as an advocate and liaison for individuals with developmental disabilities and psychosocial challenges.

Bob and Nancy Cook moved to Bellevue in 1980 from Sidney, Iowa. Bob was a school principal and his wife Nancy was an English teacher. But all that changed in 1988 when Bob took a leap of faith and left the public education sector to start a new program in Omaha called Quality Living, Inc. Several families in the Omaha area were dealing with the issues of how to care for a child with a traumatic brain injury and were looking for an alternative to the traditional nursing home. They heard about a facility in northwest Iowa called Village West and decided to visit. Upon their return they set out to create a similar environment here in Omaha. Today, Quality Living is a one of the nation’s premier post-hospital centers for brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation by embracing the concept that great rehabilitation is more than just the science of physical recovery – it is the art of rebuilding a life

Imagine a four year old child, whose physicians believed would never walk or talk, walking into a rehabilitation center unaided for the very first time. With wide smiles and tear filled eyes, therapists and staff stop to stare with awe and pride, because they have watched this small girl struggle to accomplish this milestone for years. Unfortunately, this outcome may not be typical; however this has happened at Mercy Rehabilitation. Here dedicated therapists work to give patients the skills needed to return to living life as they were able before an accident or injury, and help children living with special needs reach their full potential. To patients seeking rehabilitation services,

This agency is dedicated to rehabilitating aged and disabled individuals within the confines of their residence, in order that they may maximize their contributions and fulfill their goals as a family member and member of society with a minimum of conflict. In accomplishing this end, it is felt that the self-respect of the individual can and will be enhanced.

    In a community, there is an expectancy that one will contribute to it in some way. Whether it's working or volunteering, both forms of service can better the community one lives in. In my opinion, it is essential for one to contribute to their community in whatever way they can in order to be a truly valued member.

Several aspects of the organization, including the quality and price of its services, are pre-existing strengths the organization can leverage to expand its donor base. The center provides consumer-controlled services, meaning that its programs are custom-tailored to fit the needs of its consumers. Services are available to people with physical, mental, sensory or cognitive disabilities. If the center only helped individuals with one type of disability, the target audience would be narrow, but because the center helps individuals on a cross-disability basis, a wider range of donors can be targeted.

As I reflect upon my many years at Regis University, I feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to attend an institution which seeks to not only educate, but to create a better, more caring society by putting forth socially responsible individuals into the world. Being of Christian faith, I liked the values and mission represented at Regis and knew it would be an environment in which I could thrive. Although there are numerous classes that will impact my future, this paper will discuss a few of the main topics that either gave me a more solid spiritual and ethical foundation or prepared me for my continued career in human resources.

For the service learning project, I teamed up with three of my classmates to volunteer at a lady’s conference at Imani Restoration Centre church (IRCC) on the 16th of September, 2017. IRCC is a non-profit organization which is a Kenyan community founded that focuses on bringing African immigrants together to support and learn the things of God. Samuel Mwangi, the senior pastor of IRCC, said that through the counseling sessions that he holds at the church every Thursday, he discovered that most ladies go through the same challenges. Therefore, he thought it would be great for him to organize a lady’s conference, so that ladies could come together to share and support each other (Personal communication, September, 16, 2017)