Service Reflections

Weekly Service Coordinator Reflection 

Each co-coordinator of CommServ (weekly service programs) writes two reflections each semester.  They look into themselves, they look at their mentors and community partner, and they look at the clients they serve. These reflections ask why is our service needed?  What has surprised you? What are the root causes? What interactions am I having and how does that impact my service? How does this relate to my class work, passions, and future vocation?  

We find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service to others.  And when we reflect, we again find ourselves; changed, renewed, and transformed.    

RECENT REFLECTION 

Catie Duckworth, Coordinator of ESL

November 17th, 2011 

 

This semester I had the opportunity to take the class “Spanish for the Health Professionals.”  This class has reinforced the reasons I believe in the ESL program and decided to join and take a leadership position in it.  

 My class focuses on medical interpretation for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).  Since it is a Spanish class, we talked mostly about native-Spanish speakers.  We spent one night every week interpreting for Spanish-speaking migrant workers picking apples in Adams County, just below us here in Carlisle.  It was really cool for me because I interpreted in Spanish on Wednesday nights and then on Thursdays I tutored in English for ESL.  Interpreting really supported my thoughts on why I teach ESL.  I saw a clear need for what our program offers to the community.  There is a serious problem in the health field with communication barriers and the lack of medical interpreters.  ESL education is essential. We can’t keep trying to find enough people to translate for non-native speakers, especially not their family members and children.  What we really need are more people to help teach them English.  The best way to effectively attack this problem is to teach English to the immigrants.  Interpreting will only get us so far.  If we are having a shortage of people able to interpret in Spanish, how are we going to the need for less commonly spoken languages in the United States like Persian, the native language of one of our ESL students? 

  This class was really neat for me because we went to a Hispanic Health Fair, and I met an organization that offers ESL education in Adams County.  I was really excited to find this connection.  When I told them I was helped organized the ESL program in Carlisle, they gave me their business card.  It was great to be able to have a conversation about something I am very passionate about.

 Previous Reflections from Coordinators 

 Service Trip Reflections 

Service trips are an intense time of service, bonding with teammates, and engaging a new community.  While on service trips our ideals and values are tested, our comfort zones are stretched, and our teams wrestle with privilege, power, and inequities within the host communities.   

Each service trip has two types of reflections.  Nightly the teams participate in a verbal reflection, sharing their perspectives about how they saw the day, what they experienced, and issues of challenge.  Additionally team members write twice in the team journal. These writings help us take a step back and personally remember and reflect on the day, sharing moments that touched or challenged the author.  At the end of the trip, these journals are complied and given to each team member.   

We find ourselves when we serve others in neighborhoods far from Carlisle. These neighborhoods help us see what a new Carlisle or home communities could be.  One day, one weekend, one week can change us.   

Serve the World: Nashville TN, January 2011  

Alternative Spring Break: Arizona, March 2011   

 Habitat for Humanity: Miami FL, March 2011 

Serve the World: New Orleans LA, March 2011  

2010 Service Trip Journals

Serve the World: Guatemala, January 2010  

 Serve the World Bonner Leaders: New Orleans Alumni Trip, May 2010