Room in the Inn: Serving with a Smile DINNER (2023-24)

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
I developed my independent skills like communication. Last year I completed this service with my mom because at the time I was unable to go anywhere by myself due to some medical/personal issues. This year I was able to complete all my service hours on my own. So, this developed my communication skills and not having something or someone familiar to fall back on.
Did this experience change your perspective on your role within the community or
environment?
No, it just expanded my gratitude that I have not had to use services like this before and I was grateful to be a part of it.
Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your
experience?
I worked as a team and this impacted my experience positively. I was actually met with someone I knew from middle school, so we got to chat a bit. I also met some new people there which is my favorite part about community service.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
I plan on continuing to volunteer with this organization because I love the comfy and safe ambiance and vibe that this establishment has. It is a beautiful place with kind people.
What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
I had not driven there by myself before and had not been at that establishment since a really rough patch in my life so I ran into some nerves going back there especially without my mom. I had been doing good driving that whole month, but I still ran into some bad nerves on my way there because I went a route I don’t drive frequently and it was dark. However, I overcame those nerves by just reminding myself of the many times before I had felt this way and still made it out the other side safely.

Kennedy Chism  2 years ago Would you mind verifying these hours when you get a chance? I volunteered on this day. I signed in and out. Thank you!

Kennedy Chism  2 years ago I signed in and out on this day. Could someone please verify these hours?

Kennedy Chism  2 years ago I have a deadline that all my hours need to be verified by, that is December 3rd. It is for my scholarship. Thank you!

Reflection Questions

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
Serving dinner to those in need taught me valuable skills in empathy, communication, and time management. I learned how to be attentive to others' needs, listening carefully to ensure everyone received what they required, while also maintaining a calm and efficient environment. This experience helped me improve my teamwork abilities, as I collaborated with others to organize, serve, and ensure everything ran smoothly. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of how small acts of service can make a big difference in people’s lives, enhancing my ability to lead with compassion and focus on practical support for others

What did you learn about the community or environment you served?
As I worked with Room in the Inn, serving dinner, I was able to learn more about the Memphis community, specifically about the area of homelessness shelters. This was my first involvement with a shelter since coming to the area, and they seem to be similar to the ones back at home in Atlanta. Many of the guests I engaged with at Room in the Inn, were single mothers with several young children, many of them likely under the age of 10. The residents were those in need of food and shelter as they are victims of homelssness.

Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your
experience?

As a part of my service, I worked with a few other individuals to serve them, as something like this usually takes a team, especially when it comes to the cleanup piece. Working in a team also helps the overall dinner go faster and smoother.

Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
Yes, I plan on continuing to volunteer with the organization. I love to feel like I am directly serving others, and that's the feel that Room in the Inn offers. Also everyone there is always super nice!

Did your service align with your personal values and beliefs? If not, how did you handle
any conflicts?
My service at Room in the Inn aligned greatly with my personal values when it came to serving my community. It also aligned with the goals of the organization which is to create a warm and welcoming environment provided with hearty meals that are served to those who are in the shelter due to experiencing homelessness.