Kymora Kirk

This experience has influenced me to participate in similar events to this. While also learning more about parks and how I can play my role in ensuring they stay clean. This experience influenced my understanding of how parks need to be cleaned often. As I did this same experience, and I was able to find even more trash than the previous one. I worked individually which allowed me to explore different areas that I didn’t previously. It also allowed me to set my own pace for this experience. This organization made sure that I was aware of what to do. But they were willing to explain what to do if I was unsure. They also provided the material to make picking up trash a smooth process. An unexpected challenge I faced was the weather. While outside it began to rain even though it wasn’t in the forecast. I still continued to pick up trash as I made my way to my car to get my umbrella. After that, I stood under a covered area to wait out the rain. I was able to continue with my service as usual once the rain passed.

This experience has helped me learn more about events such as this one in honor of Earth Day. It influences me to take part in more service opportunities that are similar to this more often. This service event influenced my. understanding of just how much trash there can be in a park. But also the need for people to help maintain the park being free of trash. I worked individually for this service opportunity it allowed me to experience being out in a nature. But it also allowed me the opportunity to be more aware of Shelby Farms and the beauty of it. I plan to continue to volunteer with this organization. I really enjoyed being able to walk around and pick up trash. It was a really nice day outside so that was also a plus. This service aligned with my personal values and beliefs. This service allowed me to serve the Memphis community but also help in cleaning Shelby Farms park.

Some of the skills that I improved on is communication skills. As this service relied on me interacting with people, specifically children. I also improved on my team working skills as I did work with someone else during this experience. This service changed my perspective into other service opportunities that I would be interested in serving in. It also showed me the importance of having events like this in the Memphis community. I was able to meet the person that was over the volunteers for this service. But I also met someone that’s from the University of Memphis that I was able to learn more about. I would continue working with this organization because this service event was really amazing to do. It made me so happy to be able to interact with so many different people. This service did align with my values as I really enjoy arts and crafts. But I also enjoy being able to work with children and instructing them with art related tasks. It felt really nice to feel as though I was able to make an impact in the community today.

This experience has allowed me the opportunity to learn more about this organization and how they cater to children. I think the has influenced me to want to work more with children in some capacity as a career. I learned more the values that Youth Villages upholds when it comes to serving the children within it. It gave a greater appreciation for this organization but it gave me so much joy to be able to interact with the children there. I was also able to learn more about other volunteer opportunities and programs that Youth Villages offers. I was able to establish new relationships with those that I volunteered with. As I was not familiar with them prior to the service event. I was also learn more about the Volunteer and Donor Engagement Coordinator, Anna Otto. It is through these newly established relationships that I am eager to take part in service events similar to this. During this service event the organization coordinator, was able to inform us what Youth Villages is and the children that they service. We were also informed a little bit about the groups of children that we would be interacting with. The only thing that I would change about my approach is to have interacted with the children more.

Today, I had the opportunity of taking Dessie out on a field trip She was truly such a sweet dog and I enjoyed spending the day with her. I think a skill that learned with my field trip with Dessie is awareness. When I first met her, I could tell that she was scared or nervous of my presence. With this field trip, I had to pay attention to the moments where she looked uncomfortable. But also recognizing what she likes to do and the personality that she has. Through this experience, I was able to learn about getting to know dogs that may have come from not the best of conditions. But also being to recognize what they kind of look for when it comes to finding them a home. I did this experience by myself so I was able to connect more with Dessie. I was able to recognize how much we had in common when it comes to our personalities. I do plan to continue volunteering with this organization. It is experiences with dogs like Dessie that remind me the importance of finding homes for animals in the shelter. There are a lot of sweet dogs that are not in their forever homes because shelters are sometimes forgotten. This service aligned with my personal values and beliefs. This includes serving populations that are in need of assistance. But also using my resources to try and encourage those around me to volunteer or reach out to these organizations.

The skills that developed involved collaboration. For this experience, I had to opportunity with working in a group with people I didn't know. We had to work together to get the tasks that we were assigned done. Another skill is communication, since I was unfamiliar with the people I was working with, I had to communicate with them to get tasks done. But to also get to know the people that I would be volunteering with. The service influenced my understanding of the community. From being able to see volunteer come together to support children in need. But also the great need for volunteers to help in organizing the toys so that the process can be easier. I worked as a part of a team for this experience. As an introverted person, I tend to be more on the quiet and reserved side. But during this experience, I took the initiative of talking with some of my group mates. I was able to get to know the people in my group and really connect with them. The service contributed to the mission Mid South Toys for Tots helping with organizing the toys. This will ultimately help Mid South Toys for Tots to distribute toys to children. This service aligns with my personal values and beliefs. I really enjoyed this experience because it has allowed me to continue to give to children especially for the holidays. Although it was a. new experience for me, I was able to quickly adapt and get in a routine of things.

I had the opportunity of spending the day with Windy. A skill that I learned while spending the day with Windy, would have to social awareness. I wasn't sure about how Windy would feel towards me and all I knew of her was based on someone else's experience. On this trip, I had to pay attention to how she reacted to being around others. But also her cues as well when we would. go walking. This role changed my perspective within the community in the sense that every dog is going to be different. Every dog is going to have different personalities. Those personalities can determine how they choose to react in an environment that they are not used to. Or being with a person that they have never been with before. During this experience, I did work individually with Windy. This was a bit tougher since she was a very energetic dog. I also think she would have benefitted from having someone else besides me to play with since she is such a friendly dog. I do plant to continue volunteering with this organization. I enjoy the dogs that I volunteer with. But also to allow different dogs the opportunity to get exposure to other people outside of Memphis Animal Services. A challenge that I faced was that Windy was a more energetic dog but the places I took her, she was very limited in what she was able to do. Also since it was just me and her I wasn't able to give her as much play time as she wanted.

The service that I participated in was able to serve the animal shelter community. It was able to provide dogs with the opportunity if spending time with volunteers for a couple hours. The volunteers would then take pictures and give a note on their time with the dogs. In turn, Memphis Animal Services will post the bios and picture to possible get the dogs adopted. This was a people facing service that involved going to the shelter to pick out of dogs for the day. The staff there is really appreciative of any volunteers they are able to get for the field trips. This service aligns with my beliefs and it helps me to advertise the dogs in a way that best showcases their personalities. I learned the importance of showcasing their personalities as most people may not take the time to learn more about them. My service contributes to their mission of finding homes for the animals within the shelter.

During this field trip, I had the opportunity of spending the day with Morgan. The service that I did was able to impact Memphis Animal Services by providing Morgan with a fun experience. But also advertising her on my social media to possibly get people interested in her. It required me taking Morgan out for the day and getting to know her. I also took lots of pictures so that I could give a brief description of my time with Morgan for the day. This is beneficial to helping shelter like Memphis Animal Services to get possible adoptions. They are always appreciative of people taking the dogs out for their day and giving them nice treats. This service taught me the importance of finding the best way to showcase a dog's personality. I think the posts on their Instagram and their website could possibly play a role in who decides to possibly adopt them. I was able to work with a team during this service. I think this provided Morgan with more people to play with. While also giving her the opportunity to meet new people. This service impacted me because it made me realize that there are so many dogs with so many amazing personalities. Yet, people aren't able to experience their personalities or give them a chance. I think capturing photos and writing descriptions about them is so helpful in possibly getting them adopted.

I directly benefited the Memphis Animal Services community by trying to find homes for animals in the shelter. The service was directed towards the animal shelter population. They are always eager to have volunteers that will spend the day with some of the dogs from the shelter. I developed my media skills by effectively advertising the dog that I went on a field trip with. I learned of the importance of trying to find a home for the dogs in the shelter. As well as taking pictures and giving the best descriptions of the dogs that I had for the day. I worked as a team for this service. I worked with my friend during this service and we took turn walking our dog. But we both equally spent time with our dog and gave her lots of pets! Being able to work as a team made the experience even more fun but also gave the opportunity to advertise our dog to more people. This service impacted me because I am able to understand the work that goes into caring for the dogs. But also making sure to show the best of the dogs that are on the field trips.