Community Partner : Ruth M . Kirk Recreation Center Intern : Paulina Parsons Site Supervisor : Arthur “ Squeaky ” Kirk and Carlose Debose Sr .
What is the Martin Luther King Jr . Recreation Center ? The Ruth M . Kirk Rec Center was opened with the goal of giving the kids in the area a safe place to learn and play but also provide basic needs such as food , coats , toys , and hygiene products . We also help those who have lost track of their educational goals to get back on track with our GED program .
• Created lesson plans each day for the children to ensure their continued development .
• Designed a website for the center to boost recognition and revitalize fundraising campaign .
• Engage and educate 25 youth on a day to day basis to prepare them for the school year .
• Organize volunteers that come to teach at the recreation center .
" Thinking back on my summer at the Ruth M . Kirk Recreation and Learning Center I think of dedication , love , and a drive to make the center and the community thrive . My bosses Squeaky and Mr . Carlos have an unending passion to help the kids who come to the center each day be the absolute best they can be . From my end , teaching the kids each day was absolutely wonderful and has completely reshaped my life and my career goals . We have worked on math and reading everyday at the center and I have seen each of the kids grow exceptionally . From the 4-year-olds who at the beginning of the summer could not hold a pencil and are now spelling out letters of the alphabet , to the 6th graders who can now complete math problems with variables involved , watching them grow has been such a pleasure . Being able to work with them and motivate them to take their learning habits in the rec to the classroom in the fall has been amazing . This summer has also had its challenges and I have tested my patience to the maximum but each day I ' ve learned how to be a better teacher and I ' ve learned how to embrace my new community . I cannot put into words how sad I am that I cannot be at the center each day anymore , but I hope to keep coming back on a regular basis to keep on being a consistent member of the community . The kids and the community give me hope every day . Furthermore , I have learned the struggles of fundraising at the grassroots level and the patience and persistence that it takes to find donors and volunteers . Luckily , I have also seen the response from people to lift the community up . This summer has completely opened my eyes and my heart and it has inspired me to commit my life to pubic service and social change . I have been so privileged to have the experience to work with Squeaky and Mr . Carlos this summer , they have taught me so much and have brought me into the rec family along with the rest of the children ." -Paulina
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