Here we are, day two of Bear Breaks Colorado and it could not have gone better! We started our day by getting to the Children’s Hospital at 9am, it was my group’s turn to host a craft party in the lobby! I was slightly nervous about this because I am mainly just used to playing and interacting with kids, not their parents as well. In order to have a good turn out for a craft … [Read more...] about Day Two: Bear Breaks CO –Carley Swisher
After a late night exploring Chicago, our Bear Breaks gang met for breakfast and to pack lunch at 7am. After so much time spent on our own concerns, it was time to remember why we came. Our first service event was at New Life's Dream Center. New Life is a church that helps with mostly victims of sex trafficking, but also men seeking a new start and children seeking their … [Read more...] about Sex Trafficking: New Life Dream Center in Chicago
Children’s hospitals are safe places where children can overcome obstacles and recover. And many hospitals are using therapeutic play to connect with the pediatric patients they serve. Play can help children feel a sense of normalcy in an environment that is frankly not normal. Through play, children are able to express themselves and cope with the difficulties they face in the … [Read more...] about Engaging Colorado: Communicating with At-Risk Youth and Hospitalized Children Using Therapeutic Play
In Chicago, we will expose different aspects of homelessness and challenge perceptions of individuals experiencing homelessness. Through hands-on service with other students, we will explore what it means to be an active citizen in our own communities. We will serve with food banks and interact with individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago to understand the difficulties … [Read more...] about Breaking Down Barriers: Exposing Homelessness in Chicago and Beyond
Participants traveling to Atlanta will serve with organizations working to meet the different needs of people in poverty. Poverty is a complex issue that affects one in seven people in the U.S. During this trip, we will learn about the different aspects of the issue including food insecurity, access to education, and homelessness to better understand poverty as a whole. We will … [Read more...] about Pieces of Poverty: Exploring Different Aspects in Atlanta