Friday, July 31, 2009

My Day As a Volunteer with Local Kids - "What a gift!"

Wednesday was an overcast and somewhat dreary day. The stories flew about previous experiences so we were walking in with our preconceived notions and unease already. 10 year olds are intimidating. 25 10 year olds are downright daunting…or so we thought. We heard them coming down the hall with their teacher emphasizing her instructions on their behavior specifically what NOT to do. We looked at each other and smiled with trepidation realizing we had to show no fear. We decided to take our cue from their instructor and went to work having the kids set up the chairs. Our first success, they listened and followed our instructions to the letter.


We sat the kids across from each other in 2 rows, one row with blindfolds and one without. We were going to have them step into the shoes of a person who was blind and a person who would guide. They donned their blindfolds and we handed out the Braille cards to their guides. They were instructed to had the cards to their person who was “blind”. The kids who were “blind” had to ask yes or no questions to figure out what was in their hands. Their guides could only answer accordingly. Once they figured out what was in their hands, they were to raise their hands. The clamor of discussions to unravel the mystery in their hands went on for 5 minutes. Those that discovered it beamed with pride. Those that didn’t were impressed with what they didn’t figure out and even more so when they realized they got to keep it.

We demonstrated the different degrees of blindness and the light in the room that became the kids realization of this could have lit up the building. It’s a true wonder when you are lucky enough to share something with someone they sincerely didn’t know and truly appreciate learning. We furthered our enlightenment with little tidbits of wonder at what the blind community is capable of. We expanded the kids world to realize they experience similar interactions at stop lights with the beeping sound to signal safety crossing the street, at elevators when they see and can feel the Braille used to determine the direction of the elevator or gender of the bathroom.

They realized they knew more than they thought and the “click” of that light of realization going on was music to their minds! They were enraptured by Helen Keller’s life and stepped into her darkness when we read about her climbing a tree for her pleasure at nature and a sudden storm trapping her there. Her rescue by her friend Annie was a relief to the faces that listened. We asked them questions to guess at her life’s timeline and they hollered their responses desperate to be heard if their answer was right.

We could have stayed for hours with the questions they had. I could have sat on that floor and continued delving into their world for the rest of the day. I thought so proudly of how I was going to educate these kids in a creative way about the blind community. That may have happened to a couple of the kids but I walked away wanting more. Their thirst for knowledge and bright minds with all the different ways to look and ask their questions allowing us to draw them out was a true honor. I think they had more of an impact on me than I on them. What a gift! When can I do this again?


Sarah Schraven
Services Manager, Projects
National Industries for the Blind
First-person account of her volunteer experience through United We Serve and NIB

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

United We Serve Volunteer Experiences Personal Growth By Reading With Kids

First reading service experience today at the Charles Houston Recreation Center here in Alexandria. Arrived a bit early to a beautiful new community center that was spacious and inviting. Somewhat apprehensive as to the size of the group of 7-8 year olds-the larger the group the more chance of that certain restlessness that comes with a large group of kids in the summertime. Especially nervous when I saw that the center’s swimming pool was visible from our designated space in the reading room!

All of my worries melted away however when the kids walked into the room. I could feel their peaceful and inquisitive energy and knew we were on the right track when they seemed happy that Stephanie and I sat cross-legged on the floor with them for the storytelling. This was a great way to start the reading! The group actually moved in closer to us as we began our introductions and we explained a bit about ourselves. They were quiet, attentive and excited by the choice of reading material.

Stephanie explained how she would be reading a large print book and described her visual limitations. We stopped after each page for interactive comments and even corrections in the reading of the material! These kids were avid readers and didn’t miss a beat!
We critiqued the story after reading it which lent another layer of interest to the experience. There were insights into the personality of the main character and also comments about his motivation.

Next, the Braille alphabet was explained as Braille explanation cards were distributed. Types of visual impairments were briefly explained as the children held up the vision simulator cards. Everyone participated! The group was still asking questions and were reticent to leave us. I felt like staying longer myself and was especially moved when one young girl who had been sitting next to me sweetly asked me if I would come back and teach an art class. How could I refuse?

Next time, we will brush up on our fact sheets concerning the history of Braille and Helen Keller. Many of the children seemed interested in the process of Braille. Others knew of Helen Keller and knowing details of her life story would have added spice to the conversations.

I feel grateful to have been able to participate however briefly in the United We Serve initiative and richer for the experience of being with a curious and bright group of children. There was a sense of fun and isn’t that the way to keep our interest going in any endeavor? Children bring this to our lives and they become the teachers and we the students.
Journal account written by: Catherine Schultz, NIB reading volunteer

Education Week Brings Volunteer Readers & Children Together

Blind, Visually Impaired and Sighted Readers Start Reading Program at Local Recreation Center

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is continuing its efforts to promote participation in President and Mrs. Obama's United We Serve: Summer of Service program. This week is featured as "Education Week" under the Unite We Serve (www.serve.gov).

Eight volunteers from NIB are reading to children ages 5 to 12. In setting up Education Week, NIB discovered a need for ongoing tutoring for children who attend the Charles Houston Recreation Center after school. NIB is now working on a sustained program to meet this need.

Friday, July 17, 2009

5 Presidents Promote Volunteering, Serve.gov

Major League Baseball Supports United We Serve; NIB Reading Program Set for Education Week July 27-Aug 2, 2009.

The United We Serve – Summer of Service program was a prime time hit during the Major League Baseball All-Star game this week. A six minute film on volunteerism featured at President Obama and five former Presidents: Bush, Clinton, Bush and Carter to highlight the importance of community service and ask all Americans to find a volunteer opportunity at Serve.gov.

Nearly a dozen NIB are actively participating in the United We Serve program and NIB is encouraging 100 percent participation from its associated agencies. You can register your agency or yourself as a volunteer at www.serve.gov. Download easy to follow directions on how to log on and register your volunteer effort under NIB at serve.gov.

Education Week is July 27-August 2. NIB is providing readers for children age 5 to 12 at a local recreation center that provides summer programs for 140 mostly low-income and homeless children.
Share what you, your friends or your agency is doing at NIB’s Blog: www.nib-abilityone.blogspot.com. Upload pictures, write about your experience. Share your feels. Tweet with us at www.twitter.com/nibabilityone.

Friday, July 10, 2009

MENTOR A CHILD DURING EDUCATION WEEK JULY 27-AUG 2

SIGN UP YOUR AGENCY’S VOLUNTEER PROJECTS AT SERVE.GOV A SUMMER OF SERVICE

NIB is participating in the Obama Administration-led UNITED WE SERVE – SUMMER OF SERVICE campaign now through September 11, 2009 by promoting participation in volunteerism and public service at all of our associated agencies. NIB is specifically focused on reading programs for children, especially low-income or underprivileged children.

NIB is partnering with local groups and Reading Is Fundamental for events throughout the summer with the goal of having volunteers sustain their community involvement beyond the United We Serve campaign period.

“Our goal is to have all of our associated agencies participate in the United We Serve campaign,” Kevin Lynch, CEO, NIB said in a message to staff July 10, 2009. “We are especially interested in having people who are blind participating in the program to demonstrate how we give back to our communities.”

Most associated agencies and their employees participate in a number of volunteer or charitable activities. For the United We Serve campaign, it is important that these activities are chronicled through the United We Serve web site at http://www.serve.gov/.

Help us reach 100% participation from all associated agencies. Share your activities, pictures and experiences on our Blog site.