During my Columbus Day weekend break, I had the opportunity to participate in Western New England University’s Alternative Fall Break. This volunteer experience was put together through our Center for Civic Engagement. We volunteered at the Children’s Study Home here in Springfield. It is an organization that houses at-risk male youth in the city to get an education and potentially reunite them with their families.
On the first day we took a tour of Springfield. We went to various impoverished areas, areas damaged by tornados, and even to the armory. We then went to what the Study Home refers to as “The Cottage” where the elementary-aged boys live. We played kickball with them and the kids had a blast. The second day, we played tag and whiffle ball with the boys. We also grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for them to eat for lunch. We then took them inside to play other fun games like Pictionary, Connect Four, and Jenga. We all really enjoyed ourselves and were just as sad to go as the boys were to see us go. On the third day, we visited the older boys’ home for high school-aged students. We played a volunteer versus study home basketball game. We won but all of the boys were very talented players. We then went inside for more games like pool, ping-pong, air hockey, and videogames. We had another hamburger and hotdog lunch and then played a long game of football. On the last day, we painted and hung curtains in the newest Study Home building for college-bound residents.
This was a very enriching experience and I hope that I can return to the Children’s Study Home again. There is actually a tutoring program being set up at the Cottage so that WNE students may be able to tutor the boys weekly. I would like to participate in that and would recommend that anyone who is interested to try it out as well.
We’re halfway through the semester!
Brandi
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