Students enrolled in University 100 are model examples of UPEI’s mission of community involvement — they are delivering service learning projects that make an impact on the lives of Islanders.
The goal of the program is to have first-year students gain skills and build their capacities in critical thinking, research, and presentation by completing a number of assignments. And it turns out that many of their community service projects are not only teaching them how to serve and how to “academically” go about conducting a project, but they are also making a real difference in the community.
Vickie Johnston, University 100 Co-ordinator, says, “We have some amazing projects whose effects will continue long after the students have moved on from the program.”
Bethany MacIsaac’s project, for example, helps the parents of children recently diagnosed with autism.
MacIsaac was certainly aware of the Autism Society of PEI, a not-for-profit group that provides direct support to families, as she has two cousins with the disorder. After approaching the Society and conducting some research with its members, she identified the need for developing a simplified listing of resources to help guide parents.
“When a child is diagnosed,” MacIsaac says, “parents receive a lengthy Welcome Kit, but navigating this thick binder of information is pretty overwhelming given all the other feelings they are experiencing.” By creating a one-page “road map” with suggested actions and interventions, MacIsaac is providing parents with a quick and simple reminder list to post on their fridge and to help pave the way to a healthy life for their children. She comments, “I enjoy doing anything I can to get the word out about autism!” and has been working with the Society’s Pre-School Co-ordinator in order to distribute the publication.
Angela MacDonald’s project is at the other end of the age spectrum as she has been working with residents of Beach Grove Home to compile “memory boards” that participants can hang in their rooms.
Though MacDonald knew she wanted to serve seniors with her project, she struggled with finding the right idea, so she spoke with Johnston who relayed a recent visit she made to a nursing home in Ontario where residents had curio cabinets at their room entrance to display mementos.
MacDonald says, “I knew I couldn’t build curio cabinets, but I thought I could develop the same effect of ‘feeling at home’ by engaging the residents to assemble some of their mementos on a piece of cork board.”
When MacDonald arrived at Beach Grove to present her idea and work with the residents, she realized that her project was producing more than just the finished boards. Residents were suddenly sharing stories with each other and making connections in new ways.
“I figured residents needed someone to pay personal attention to their history,” she adds, “but what I didn’t realize was that when they felt paid attention to, and encouraged to work on something, they then showed interest in their neighbours’ history, too. The activity really helped create a sense of community.”
The University 100 program team recently launched “UPEI Stories Showcase, Highlighting Student Voices.” The event provides an outlet in which to celebrate the “best of the best” student project work, while also introducing students to the practice of presenting work to scholars.
Who knew that these projects, part of a program intended to teach students how to manoeuvre within the University community, would also make a tremendous impact in the broader community in which we live!
