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"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
- Winston Churchill
Prior to departure, students learned about the fundamental concepts of leadership and service through videos and slides presented in lecture. The main focus was on understanding, becoming, and continuing the duties and roles of an active citizen, and how we can better our communities.
Prior to departure, students learned about the fundamental concepts of leadership and service through videos and slides presented in lecture. The main focus was on understanding, becoming, and continuing the duties and roles of an active citizen, and how we can better our communities.
What are situations communities are facing, what actions can people take to better these situations, and where is that going to lead the communities? Most importantly, we serve WITH our communities, not for them.
What are situations communities are facing, what actions can people take to better these situations, and where is that going to lead the communities? Most importantly, we serve WITH our communities, not for them.
Important visuals discussed in class consisted of the deprivation trap and the social change model. Through this, we were able to gauge what the social situation would be upon our arrival, and plan the best course of action.
Important visuals discussed in class consisted of the deprivation trap and the social change model. Through this, we were able to gauge what the social situation would be upon our arrival, and plan the best course of action.
The Common Read
We took the knowledge we gained from the common read and used it to better preform our service in Washington D.C. Toxic Inequality by Thomas M. Shapiro discusses the harsh realities of economic disparities and the difficulty of upward social mobility. Shapiro argues that a big problem is wealth inequality. Ways of moving up economically are comprised of residing in a high-opportunity area, having a stable career, inheritance, and government policies. Knowing this, we were aware that the people we were going to do service with could not just "pull themselves up by their bootstraps", they were victims of an inequitable system.
On the Journey
On the Journey
- Observed our new surroundings and made comparisons and contrasts of what we were experiencing to what we had learned: Words vs. Reality
- Connected the common read to the service preformed
- Engaged in heavy, but important reflections on the impact of race in the crisis of poverty and economic mobility.
What now?
What now?
After learning and experiencing the harshness of reality as if it were hidden in the shadows, what do we do now?
With all of the knowledge and lessons we've learned from the course and the trip we hope to bring a new dedication of active citizenship to Iowa City. We learned from A Wider Circle that poverty is growing nation-wide, and in order to stop the acceleration of it we must work from all over. For us, that might mean volunteering at the crisis center more, or donating things with more dignity than we are use to. Bread for the city taught us that making a difference doesn't just stop at food and clothing. It goes beyond to help people in unfortunate situations find medical help, legal support, social services, etc. We want to find ways to facilitate pro bono services for those in need.
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