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As a professor at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, some of the courses I teach are Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, a communication skills course, and a field instruction course. During the first week of the communication skills class, I explain to students that the objective of this course is to learn, practice and demonstrate professional communication skills. One way they learn and demonstrate these skills is through participation in a group in which they create and execute a project for a local community agency. This type of learning is service learning. They demonstrate their communications skills within their projects and graded assignments. These projects teach students about the community, civic responsibility and diversity, all in the context of learning communication skills.

Students learn how to participate in structured professional meetings. They learn how an agency functions, the components of an agency and their services. Each group is responsible for raising money and collecting items for their projects. One group collaborated with a local Girl Scout troop to fill 24 birthday bags filled with cake mix, icing, balloons, streamers and other items needed for a birthday party. They were provided to NISKY NOW (Nutrition on Weekends) for families that were unable to afford a birthday party. Another group led children in an arts and crafts event for Girls Inc. of the Capital Region, as well as provided food and gift bags. One student commented on Facebook, “I remember when I was younger and we went on a field trip and they had special bags for us. I was so excited to get one. I know this is something they won’t forget.” She also stated, “Before I took this class, it was hard for me to give people eye contact and I got nervous and would stutter. But we learn verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, and I can talk to a wide variety of people without getting nervous” 

Another group assisted with a Thanksgiving dinner at the Boys and Girls Club. One student stated that he “loved getting to know my group members. I loved the motivation and effort each member of the team put forth, and I loved the feeling you get when your efforts pay off for a worthy cause.” A student group collected diverse children’s books, read them to children and let the children choose a book to take home. Other service learning projects include organizing a gala event at the City Mission of Schenectady, creating a party for challenged individuals, facilitating a Sip and Paint event, collecting items for local food pantries, collecting sports equipment for a school, and leading the children in sports games. Each semester I am inspired and amazed by the passion, creativity and dedication of the students. At the conclusion of the semester, the students’ passion for service is ignited, their communication skills improve, and they help improve the lives of hundreds of individuals. In the words of Dorothy Height, social activist, “without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It is important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It is the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.”

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