Service Site: The De La Salle School, Freeport, New York
College: Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA
What do you do? I am currently teaching a variety of subjects. I teach 7th and 8th grade Spanish for heritage speakers. I teach 5th and 6th grade enrichment classes, basic math and study skills. I teach computers to 5th – 7th grade. I co-teach the 8th grade research class and I also help out in our after school program which provides our students with homework help.
What have you discovered about poverty from your work? My school serves students that are in a low socioeconomic demographic. Each morning during assembly, my students share an affirmationby saying, “I give back to help those less fortunate then myself.” What my students do to give back to others is awe inspiring especially when considering they do not have much themselves. It is so selfless of them. An example of this can be seen in the their passing of an empty honer jar for the Advent season. They raised money for Alzheimer’s.
The beauty of working in a Lasallian school is exposing our students to the larger community of the world. I am a part of this service because I am hopeful that I am relaying the message to my students that through education anything can be reached. They may not see the bigger picture at hand but education is the foundation to end the cycle of poverty. With the education that they are receiving they will have so many opportunities, like the opportunities and service that they give to others themselves throught their efforts to give back.
What is the most challenging obstacle that your students/clients/guests face? How do your school/agency and your own outreach try to empower them to overcome this obstacle? One of the most challenging obstacles that my students face is to not allow the problems that they face outside of school impact their behavior in an academic setting. This can be very difficult for anyone but just imagine a child trying to get through it. We give ourselves fully to our students knowing that our school is a safe haven where they can grow and be supported in every way.
We try to give them the tools and encouragement that they may need in order to get over the hurdles they encounter in their personal lives. I try to be as patient and understanding with my students as possible. It can be very difficult at times, still we must realize we can only correct their behavior and support them, hoping that they will understand that they can overcome what they are facing. We are there to get through and help them learn life lessons that they will hopefully use through out the rest of their lives
Have you noticed any signs of success in your work? What are they? Some of the successes I have noticed may be small feats but they are successes nonetheless. What I have noticed is the great improvement of some of my students’ grades and behavior. In the beginning of the school year in the first quarter some of my students were very defiant. Many felt and outwardly expressed through complaints that they really did not want to put any effort into my class. Some would even act out in class. It was a tough first quarter, to be completely honest. When progress reports came out there were a few students who were failing. I talked to these students and some responded positively and really wanted to improve their grades. Some of these students began putting effort into the class. But there was this one particular student who was still very defiant and still had behavioral problems.
As the second quarter progressed, slowly but surely, this student was trying in my class. The student still acts up, but he is finally putting in an effort. He started doing better on his quizzes and did really well on a test that we recently had. He is now passing my class. Everything takes time and seeing these small improvements that students have made these past months amazes me.
What would you say to a friend from home who questioned why you chose to live with the Brothers? The Brothers provide great insights and different perspectives to those that we serve at our sites. The Brothers have dedicated their lives to the education and service to the poor and to me, that is very admirable. Like any individual that you encounter throughout life you may encounter some differences in the Brothers. That is the beauty of living in community: embracing those differences and accepting the Brothers for who they are. I am thankful for the Brothers’ that I live with in community they are very helpful. It is always good to hear the experiences that they have encountered and what insights they gained from it.
Why would you recommend the LV program to a college senior considering volunteering? This may sound like a generalization but in our society materialism and financial gains are greatly valued. Sometimes these things do not fulfill you at all. I would recommend becoming a Lasallian Volunteer because what you would be saying is yes, you do want to give back and no, you do not want to just go along with society values. You are proclaiming you are willing to take a chance and be a part of this bigger movement, to help out those who are often forgotten and are marginalized. You are choosing to give your time and energy to help those who are in need. Whatever you do, it will change you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in great ways. You are saying yes to an opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that provides you with a whole shift of perspective and will ripple and resonate throughout your own life as well as the lives of those who you will serve.
Why would you recommend a contribution to the LV Program from a prospective donor? What the prospective donor needs to know is how their contribution to the Lasallian Volunteers program is pivotal in maintaining the services that we provide to those we serve at our sites. From teaching, to social services, and campus ministry — you are allowing the program to support the numerous volunteers that provide service to those in our society that may be forgotten. You strengthen the lives of those clients and students at our various sites that need the support and understanding that we as volunteers can provide. You are allowing us, at the various San Miguel schools, at the various schools that are associated with Brothers, to relay the message that through education anything is attainable. The opportunities are limitless with education. Through the social services that are provided at various sites, our clients are reminded they are not being forgotten and that instead, they will be looked after, understood, cared for, and not judged. Donating to the Lasallian Volunteers, you are not only supporting the program, you are supporting something bigger in the grand scheme of things. You yourself are saying that you believe in the program’s core values of faith, community, and service. You are saying you believe we can change the world.
