Blog 26: Senior Project Reflection

Positive Statement:
I am most proud of the friendships I've made throughout my project. This is because the kids at the center can come to me for their problems which is incredible. These are friendships that will last that I wouldn't have without my project.

Assessment of my 2 Hour: P

Assessment of my overall senior project: P

What Worked:
During my project, my mentorship worked. I looked forward to going and for the most part, every day was a great experience. I really did learn a lot about my community and the youth in it. I made many friendships with staff and kids and really enjoyed myself throughout.

What didn't work:
Well if I could go back, I'd do more in the initial research checks. I really didn't learn much in the first few, so I could have used those research checks for better articles so I could learn that much more.

Finding Value:
Well, I believe my senior project will help me in future endeavors by giving me a career choice that I probably wouldn't have considered. I know how the center works and I know whats important in helping kids get the most. Even if I don't go into this career, I have a better understanding of customer service. I also learned the importance of taking care of myself physically and things like that. I also believe I'm a more helpful individual. I try more to help others than I ever have. At the center if a kid needed help with homework or getting a ball down I was there. Even now on my street when I see a kid playing basketball with a flat ball I go and pump it for them. This is something I definitely would have never done.

As my project comes to an end.

I'm actually pretty bummed thinking that my project is coming to an end. This means I won't be going back to the center very often. Even some of the kids I became friends with at the center are sad. As the school year started coming to an end they'd ask if I'd keep coming back. I had to say no, but I also said I will come visit whenever possible. A lot of the kids at the center became close friends.

Staff building relationships with kids.

It's ideal for the staff to become close friends with the kids. This is because if staff befriend the kids, then they can be a mentor and a positive influence on kids. So the staff can be there for the kids and get them to join programs they normally wouldn't and even engage with others they normally wouldn't. This is really incredible and something I see everyday at my mentorship.

Staff keep kids coming back

Staff are just as important as the programs themselves. If the staff provide poor service, then kids won't come back. if kids don't come back, then it's impossible to support them and all is lost. Staff are what keep kids coming back.

Benefits of health programs

Through health programs kids can develop healthy habits to carry with them for the rest of their life. If kids don't learn healthy habits at school or at home its up to after school programs to teach them. This in turn can lead to healthier generations in the future. These programs impact a lot!

kids getting older

A common goal among programs is to target kids of all ages with all kinds of wants and needs. There should be a program for everyone that can truly benefit the participant. Variety plays an important role in successful centers.

Plans to start my own program

I plan on starting a summer program at the center for p90x. This will give kids the chance to experience this expensive work out program and be more healthy over the summer for free.