This experience has shaped my future career plans because I intend on pursuing a career in healthcare, where effective communication with compassion is essential. The way we interact with others can leave a lasting impact, often more than we realize, so it’s important to communicate thoughtfully. I learned that the community I serve provides housing for individuals recently released from hospitals who don’t have a place to stay. Offering them stable housing helps facilitate their healing and recovery, allowing them to avoid homelessness.During my time volunteering, I worked as part of a team, which greatly enhanced our ability to prepare and deliver food more efficiently. This meant residents could eat when they wanted, giving them more time to relax in the dining room. I plan to continue my service with this organization because I appreciate the opportunity to see the direct impact of our work rather than being behind the scenes. Volunteering here also serves as a reminder for me to be grateful for my own life, fostering a deeper appreciation for the small things.My service aligns closely with my personal values, such as helping those in need and treating everyone with kindness and respect. I treated all residents as I would want to be treated if I were in their situation. I received many expressions of gratitude from them, whether through smiles or verbal thanks.
My communication skills were enhanced during this service experience. Approaching someone to start up a conversation can be challenging for me, but this opportunity has helped me improve in that area. This service has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.I discovered that the community I serve provides housing for individuals recently released from hospitals who don't have anywhere else to go. Offering them a place to stay supports their healing and recovery, allowing them to avoid living on the streets. I developed a connection with the cook, Miss Reva. Having met her before at Room In the Inn, I always feel welcomed when I return. My service aligns with the organization's mission to provide hope and hospitality in a safe environment while fostering a community built on love and respect. I contributed to this by treating each resident with kindness and respect. I wouldn't change anything about my approach to this service opportunity in the future. I will continue to enter this environment with an open mind and without judgment, as it’s vital to remember that everyone is facing challenges that may not be visible.
I improved my communication skills during this service experience. It is hard for me to go up to someone and start talking to them, so this service has improved it. Communicating with someone face to face is difficult for me because I can be introverted at times, so this service has allowed me to break out of my shell.I learned that the community I serve offers housing for people who do not have a place to stay and were recently released from hospitals in the area. By providing them housing, it helps them heal and recover without being on the street. I formed a connection with the cook, Miss Reva. I have met her previously at Room In the Inn, so every time I attend this service I feel welcomed. There have been times where I have been the only volunteer at this facility, making me grow closer to her.My service contributed to the mission of the organization because their mission is to give hope and hospitality in a safe environment and build a community of love and respect. I contributed this by being respectful and kind to each resident. I do not have anything that I would change about my approach to this service opportunity in the future. I will continue to approach this environment with an open mind free of judgment. It is important to not judge the people you serve because everyone is overcoming a challenge in their life that you aren’t able to see.
Through this experience, I was able to development my communication skills. There are many people at Room In The Inn, and being able to communicate with them and creating a loving environment developed my communication skills tremendously.
My service here helped me understand that there is a large portion of the Memphis community who are facing poverty and homelessness, and they need our help. I am able to donate my time and attention to these people who need help.
During my service, I worked as part of a team. We worked together to prepare food and plates and take it to people. This made my service a lot easier because we worked together instead of doing things individually. I also got to meet new people, which made my service even better.
I do plan to continue to work with this organization. I have volunteered here many times, and I only enjoy it more and more. I love the work they are doing, and I love being able to help and serve with them.
This service did align with my personal values and beliefs. I believe that because I have the ability to help others, then I should use that to help them. With Room In The Inn, I am able to help and serve those who need my help.
This experience influenced my future career because I plan on going into the healthcare field, which requires the ability to communicate with others with care. The way that you communicate with others leaves a bigger impact on them than you are able to see, so it is important that you communicate with care.This experience did change my perspective on my role within the community. It changed my perspective because there are many families and individuals who need a place to stay, so serving them contributes to them going back out into the community.
I worked as a team during my experience. This impacted my experience because it allowed us to prepare and deliver the food quicker. By preparing and delivering food for residents quicker, they were able to eat at the time they wanted and they had more time to hangout in the dining room. The organization guided me during my service by giving me information on specific residents, making me better understand why they are there. They also guided me by speaking to me about the different units that the facility has which educated me on the facility and the communities that they support. My service did align with my personal values. Some of my personal values are helping others who need the support and treating everyone with kindness and respect. I treated all of the residents how I would want to be treated if I was in that position.
