Civic Identity

Sami Wiezorek, Josie Marchant, Bo Peng, Julia DiGiacomo

What is Civic Identity?

Finding your sense of self in a community
How your identities, skills, and experiences impact your service work

Jerusalem House

Jerusalem House provides permanent housing to people with HIV/AIDS/terminal illnesses and experiencing homelessness.

Application: We used our physically able bodies to help them make their home aesthetically pleasing. We did outdoor work such as constructing part of a raised garden, raking, and more.

Lost N Found Youth

Application:

We adapted to the different tasks we were given. We used the previous jobs we held and applied those skills to working in a new environment. We used interpersonal skills while interacting with fellow workers and customers at the thrift store.

Lost N Found Youth is a non-profit that works to end homelessness in LGBTQ+ youth. They provide emergency clothing and food, transitional housing, counseling, health referrals, and much more. We worked two days in their thrift store, which raises money for their organization. We also toured the Lost N Found Youth Center.

Positive Impact Health Center

PIHC serves the HIV/AIDS positive community of Atlanta. It provides health services, support services, substance abuse treatment, HIV testing, prevention services, and more.

Application:

We were open and attentive to hearing about the experiences and current programs that the Positive Impact Health Center offers. We connected with someone who was talking to us because he was originally from Iowa, as well.

Josie Marchant

Civic Identities:

University of Iowa student

Minnesotan

Ally of LGBTQ+ community

Member of Best Buddies

Honors Outreach Ambassador

Going into this trip being an outsider of the LGBTQ+ community I knew that I would be experiencing stories and perspectives about issues that I would never be aware of otherwise. I hope to bring some of the things I learned back to the Iowa City community letting others know that they can be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community without being a member of it.

Bo Peng

Civic identities:

University of Iowa student

Chinese

Ally of LGBTQ+ community

Coming from China where the LGBTQ+ community is rarely openly talked about and educated. During this trip, I encountered many first-times, cultural shocks, but I was understanding, respectful, and considerate, which helped me to gain more personal, deeper perception of the community. I will definitely spread the things I learned from this trip, my personal experience when I am back in China, hopefully, it will positively further influence, educate more people.

Julia DiGiacomo

Civic Identities:

University of Iowa student

Iowan

Daily Iowan news reporter

Member of LGBTQ community

My service experiences in Atlanta gave me a much more in depth perspective of issues affecting the LGBTQ community. I learned extensively about the crucial issues of HIV/AIDS and homelessness through an LGBTQ supportive lens. Interacting with the organizations we served with also gave me a better sense of community development strategies and non-profit work. Throughout the week, my civic identities impacted my experience. For example, I made connections due to my own personal identities and past experiences. I also utilized skills such as communication, problem solving, work ethic, and more. Going forward, my civic identity has been shaped by my new experiences and learning in Atlanta.

Sami Wiezorek

Civic Identities:

University of Iowa Student

Iowan

Ally of LGBTQ+ Community

Member of Women in Business

As an ally of the community, I was open to everyone I met and tried to be as understanding as possible when learning about the members of the LGBTQ+ community. These interactions also required the use of good communication skills.

Future Application

Take action as Hawkeyes and a closer look at LGBTQ+ community and what we can do to advocate
Educate members of our own groups and social networks
Continue to utilize our civic identities and new experiences through service work in the Iowa City community

Google Sites

Report abuse