Service Learning: Volunteering Experience at the Mill Creek Senior Center

Overview:

As a volunteer at the Front Desk of the Mill Creek Senior Center, I was responsible for greeting visitors, answering phone calls, and assisting the staff with various administrative tasks. This experience was part of my human rights minor, a curricular requirement, which allowed me to learn about the basic challenges that seniors face and how these challenges relate to human rights, such as access to healthcare, social services, and social security income/tax assistance. Additionally, this experience allowed me to gain valuable insights into the needs of the elderly population in our community beyond what the human rights documents ascribe, such as the need for platonic companionship and community. I wrote about these experiences in a two-page reflection paper after completing my volunteering duties. Through this experience, I developed important leadership competencies such as self-development, self-understanding, personal contributions, helping others, social justice, and social responsibility. Volunteering, while required for my minor, was a rewarding experience that helped me explore relationships with people I would not have otherwise met.  

Personal Importance of Work:

Volunteering at the Mill Creek Senior Center was an experience that resonated with me on a personal level. As someone who values inclusivity and equity, it was vital for me to contribute to an organization that works towards improving the lives of the elderly for a population that is generally considered to be vulnerable. Through this experience, I connected my passion for social justice and equity to my desire to make a meaningful impact in my community. Moreover, the experience of volunteering at the senior center allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the importance of supporting the elderly in our community and the need for more resources and programs tailored to their needs.

Tasks accomplished:

• Answered phone calls and responded to inquiries from community members.

• Provided customer service by greeting visitors and assisting them with any needs they may have.

• Registered participants for events and activities happening in the center.

• Maintained and updated records of registered participants.

• Distributed flyers and brochures to promote upcoming events and activities.

• Assisted with organizing and setting up events and activities, such as the monthly tea parties.

• Wrote a 2-page paper on the relationship between volunteering at the senior center and human rights after I finished my volunteer experience. 

Leadership Competencies Gained:

Self-development: 

By volunteering at the Mill Creek Senior Center, I engaged in self-development opportunities to achieve my fullest potential and benefit myself and others. Specifically, I gained knowledge about the needs of the elderly population in our community and how I can best support them. I became a better listener and a more empathetic person because of my experiences in the center. Additionally, I renewed my sense of appreciation for volunteering and connecting with the local community. Since leaving, I have become more engaged with the community through other means, like the community's Facebook page. Overall, the senior center was a place for both the seniors and I to have some self-development.

Self-Understanding: 

Volunteering at the Senior Center allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of myself and how I relate to others. Through my interactions with the seniors, I became more aware of my personal values, beliefs, and interests and how they impact my interactions with others. This understanding helped me to engage in more authentic and productive behavior in my exchanges with the seniors. By gaining a deeper understanding of myself, I was able to be more present and focused when working with the seniors, which helped me to build stronger relationships with them. I learned to communicate more effectively and to individualize my approach to meet the individual needs of each senior.

Personal Contributions: 

I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of personal contributions in achieving a common goal. I learned that each individual's unique assets, including their ideas, strengths, knowledge, and abilities, are essential in creating effective and impactful work. Seeing how the combined efforts of all volunteers and staff members made a significant difference in the lives of the seniors we served was a powerful reminder of the value of individual contributions in achieving shared objectives. Moreover, I saw the impact that I, as an individual, could have on the lives of seniors. Many seniors came up to me an shared their thankfulness that a young person like myself would come help out around the center. It meant a lot to them that I had personally contributed to the work of the senior center. 

Helping Others: 

One time, while I was sitting at the front desk, a lady approached me and asked if I could help her move her dog to their car so he could go to the vet. I was happy to do so and felt ecstatic to have been able to help a senior directly.  My presence alone assisted the seniors in feeling like they were supported and loved. By helping others, leaders can create a culture of trust and cooperation that is essential for achieving shared goals and promoting a positive environment. I found that It feels best to help others when you are doing it for altruistic reasons.

Social Justice: 

Entering into my journey at the senior center, I knew social justice was a value they held close. The pride flags at the counter of each branch made me feel welcome. Throughout my time there, I knew it was my job to create a welcoming environment for all regardless of your background or what you look like. Furthermore, senior centers exist to empower people who are generally more vulnerable due to their age. My experience at the senior center helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of social justice in our society. I realized that access to basic needs, such as healthcare and social support, is not equal for everyone, and that systemic inequalities exist.

Productive Relationships:

Engaging with the Seniors was rewarding for them and me. I was often told how nice it was to have someone my age come to volunteer at the center and how it showed that I cared about the older population. Having someone to socialize with helped us feel connected to each other and the larger community. I helped the seniors in various ways, whether through my front desk duties or friendly conversations, but they also helped me in many ways. I became more confident and comfortable talking to strangers, I could relate better to older members of my own family, and I appreciated the socialization as well. Overall, volunteering was a mutually beneficial relationship for all involved.

Social Responsibility: 

Just as my parents had the responsibility to take care of me as a baby when I was incapable of helping myself, we, as a society, are responsible for taking care of our elders. Volunteering at the senior center was an act of social responsibility on my part and was an exercise to give back to the community. While initially, my volunteering was less altruistic and more about meeting a specific curricular requirement, I eventually realized that doing this kind of work felt right, like something I should be doing. I ended up volunteering longer than required due to this feeling of social responsibility towards others. 

Lessons Learned and Future-Oriented Statement:

Volunteering at the Mill Creek Senior Center taught me the importance of supporting the elderly in our community. I learned that even small acts of kindness and support could have a significant impact on their well-being. In the future, I plan to continue supporting organizations that work toward social justice and equity for all community members, including the elderly. Since completing my time at the senior center, I have noticed that the way I approach conversations with older generations has shifted from one of ignorance to curiosity. My experience at the senior center has provided me with essential insights and skills that will help me to be an effective leader and advocate for social change in the future.