Camyia Shobe-Thomas

1. What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?I improved my teamwork, communication, and organization skills by helping sort and arrange donations efficiently.
2. How did your service influence your understanding of social or environmental issues?
It helped me understand how reused items can reduce waste and how access to affordable home goods supports families in need.
3.3. Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team with other BSA members and other volunteers, it made the experience more fun, productive, and meaningful.
4. How did your service contribute to the mission or goals of the organization?
Our help supported ReStore’s mission by keeping the space clean, organized, and welcoming, making it easier for them to serve the community.
5. Did your service align with your personal values and beliefs? If not, how did you handle any conflicts?
Yes, it aligned with my values of giving back and helping others. It felt good to contribute to something bigger than myself.

1.Through this service experience, I developed strong organizational and teamwork skills. Sorting and counting toys required attention to detail, while bagging them efficiently taught me time management and how to work quickly under pressure. I also improved my communication skills while collaborating with others to ensure the tasks were completed smoothly.
2.This service experience deepened my understanding of social issues, particularly the challenges faced by low-income families during the holiday season. It made me realize how important it is to provide children in underprivileged communities with basic joys, such as toys, which can have a significant impact on their emotional well-being.
3.I worked as part of a team, which made the experience more rewarding. The teamwork allowed us to divide tasks efficiently, and collaborating with others created a sense of community and shared purpose. It also made the work feel less overwhelming, as we could rely on each other to stay motivated and organized.
4.Yes, this service aligned with my personal values of giving back to the community and supporting those in need. I believe in the importance of helping others, especially children, which made this experience fulfilling and meaningful. I also believe there is no better time than Christmas to do this. Every child deserves to have a great Christmas with gifts under the tree.
5.My service contributed to the mission of Mid South Toys for Tots by helping prepare and organize toys for distribution to children in need. By assisting in the sorting and bagging process, I directly supported the goal of ensuring that as many children as possible received gifts, making the holiday season brighter for them.

it was such a full circle moment to be able to help the incoming freshman’s move into their new homes!

Skills/Personal Development: Through this service experience, I developed stronger teamwork and communication skills by collaborating with other volunteers and assisting new students and families with their move-in process. I also improved my problem-solving and time management abilities, ensuring everything ran smoothly while remaining patient and empathetic during this stressful and hectic transition.

Understanding/Awareness: I learned that the U of M campus community is incredibly supportive and welcoming, especially toward new students adjusting to campus life. A lot of schools don't have weeks of welcome, let alone move in helpers so it was just great to see. We created a great sense of belonging, with us Wow leaders and other volunteers going out of their way to ensure a smooth and positive transition for freshmen and their families.

Relationship/Teamwork: I worked as part of a team, which I think made the experience more efficient and fun. I met some great people and created new friendships. Collaborating with others allowed us to divide tasks, support one another, and create a welcoming environment amongst ourselves and the freshmen, which enhanced the overall impact of our efforts.

Organizational Impact/ Alignment: My service contributed to the overall mission of Weeks of Welcome by helping create a smooth and positive transition for incoming freshmen, aligning with the goal of fostering a welcoming and supportive campus community. By assisting with move-ins, I helped new students feel more comfortable and connected to their new environment.

Reflection/Improvement: One unexpected challenge we faced was managing the large number of families arriving at the same time, leading to congestion and confusion. We overcame this by improving our communication, directing families to available parking spots, getting carts back as fast as possible, and coordinating with other volunteers to ensure a smoother flow of movement and quicker assistance for families arriving.