Indy PL Seed Library
Pre-Service Reflection
What is community engagement?
When I hear the term "community engagement" I think about participating in events that serve those in your area. My understanding of community engagement stems from how my parents raised me to give to those who are not as privileged as I am. As a child, they always encouraged me to do even the smallest service, such as bringing cans to my school food drive. Because of these values instilled in me, as I got older, I joined various organizations and clubs that gave me the opportunity to serve whatever community I was in. For example, I am a member of the ALD-PES National Honor Society where I get so many opportunities to volunteer on and off campus. I think that the ALD-PES organization does a good job at addressing all sorts of community issues that could benefit from our volunteer services. One specific event is donating handmade blankets to homeless shelters as they prepare for higher occupancy during the winter. On the other end of the spectrum, ALD-PES will also volunteer on campus to lend hands to help students move in on campus.
Why do we engage in community?
One of my primary motivations for volunteering is having the skills and tools necessary to make the change I wish to see, even if it is just one small step toward change. Taking action in any way, small, large or in between, means making steps toward change and helping others in the process. Donating a few cans of food to a food drive or building homes with Habitat for Humanity both can make a difference in someones life. I lead a privileged lifestyle as I am able to attend college, live in an apartment, and buy groceries on a weekly basis; I feel it is necessary to recognize that and use my time to give to those in my community who aren't so lucky to afford such a lifestyle.
What is social change and why do we address it?
I view the term "social change" as the sort of goal when thinking about community engagement; it's what we aim to achieve when volunteering in our community. I think it is important to discuss the implications of the service you participate in so that you have a better understanding and connection to what you're doing.
Post-Service Reflection
What was the service experience?
The service event that I took part in was the Indianapolis Public Library's Seed Library packing event. I volunteered for this event two times across a couple weeks. I volunteered with another ALD-PES member at the Warren branch of the IndyPL. The main goal was to package as many of the different seed varieties into their respective packets during the 3 hour block we had. It was a tedious job since most of the seeds were so tiny and we had to package a certain amount per pouch, but it was kind of therapeutic to just sit and turn my brain off for a bit while also knowing I was helping to make a dent in the tall order of seed packets the library had to complete.
What did I learn during this experience?
On a surface level, I learned how much of a hand the Indianapolis Public Library has in the community downtown and in surrounding cities/towns. Prior to this experience, I didn't realize how much the library serves outside of normal library functions. One major thing I took note of during the service event was how prevalent food deserts are around here. I never considered how some families in the community might not have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce or the means to grow a garden themselves. Taking part in the Seed Library gave me further insight into some parts of my community that I would not have been exposed to otherwise. I'm glad I was able to help provide those in and around Indianapolis with the tools to cultivate their own gardens and gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables.