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d. A. Blodgett-St. Johns & Big brothers big sistersService Learning Project for Ryan Pienta

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D.A. Blodgett St. johnsOrganization in Grand RapidsOffers foster care, adoption, and other support serviceMission Statement:Helping children and empowering families by providing safety, advocacy, and support (D.A. Blodgett St. Johns, 2016, p. 2) Funded mostly by Department of Health & Human Services Joined Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) in 1965 Serves all of Kent County 475 children mentored in 2015, ages 5-17BBBS of America Youth mentoring organization started in 1904Operates in all 50 states and 12 countries(Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2016a)(D.A. Blodgett St. Johns, 2016)(D.A. Blodgett St. Johns, n.d.)

Shared the role and background of the agency. Cited sources

D.A. Blodgett is an organization in Grand Rapids that offers a variety of home and community services. They are involved in foster care and adoption programs as well as support services for families, young mothers, and children (D.A. Blodgett St. Johns, n.d.). In 1965, D.A. Blodgett teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters to offer mentors for the at risk youth in Kent county (D.A. Blodgett St. Johns, 2016). In 2015, they were able to mentor 475 children through the BBBS program. BBBS was originally founded in 1904 and currently operates in all 50 states and 12 countries. They match positive role models with at risk children through a mentoring program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. (2016). Starting something since 1904. Retrieved from http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5960955/k.E56C/Starting_something_since_1904.htm

D.A. Blodgett St. Johns. (n.d.). Programs and services. Retrieved from http://www.dabsj.org/what-we-do/programs-and-services

D.A. Blodgett St. Johns. (2016). 2015 community impact report. Retrieved from http://da-blodgett-st-johns.epaperflip.com/v/DABSJ-2015-Community-Impact-Report/#?page=02

Volunteer roleBig Brother role model for a local child12 year old African-American boy whos father is in prisonSpend quality time togetherSports (tennis, basketball, disk golf)CookingHomework Museums Semi-professional sports (Grand Rapids Drive, Griffins, & White Caps)Adult friends and family

Explained personal role within the agency and activities of student during the experience.

As a Big Brother, it is my responsibly to act as a positive role model for my little. My little is a 12 year old African American boy whose father is in prison. He lives with his single mother and half siblings. Together we participate in many different activities including sports, cooking, homework, museums, semi professional sporting events as well as socializing with adult friends and family.

We you look at the list of activities, it just seems like we are hanging out. However, all of these activities benefit him in one way or another. Sports encourage him to lead a healthy lifestyle while also to be competitive and respectful. Cooking teaches him a life skill, how to be patient, as well as the benefits and challenges of working with others. Attending museums and helping him with homework are both very education, encouraging him to getting better grades to into better classes and schools. Attending large sporting events gives him the chance to participate in different social activities within the community. 3

ReflectionInitially thought this would be a difficult experience

Quickly developed a fun and trustworthy relationship

Have offered him support and life adviceAfter 18 months in the program, Littles were

46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs27% less likely to begin using alcohol52% less likely to skip school37% less likely to skip a class33% less likely to hit someone

(Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2016b, para. 6)

Reflected on the experience using elements of reasoning. (Initial thoughts, assumptions, information attained, changes to thought processes regarding the agency, service learning in general, etc.) Reflected in relation to the purpose and definition of Service Learning in the literature.

I initially thought this was going to be a very difficult experience. I had planned on a working with a shy but defiant child. He was shy at first, but he had already possessed many great characteristics. After a while we developed a fun and trustworthy relationship. He can and has come to me with many different life questions, especially questions that he is not comfortable asking his mother. Since I have started working with Big Brothers Big Sister, I have learned that the program isnt just about volunteering with at risk youth. Its about building life long relationships and connections. I actually plan to stay in contact with my little even after he ages out of the program.

An interesting report found that after 18 months of being in the program, Littles were 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school, 37% less likely to skip a class, 33% less likely to hit someone (Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2016b, para. 6). 4

Applicable Program outcomesScholarship for Practice"Advocate for healthcare across the continuum of health careenvironments"(Ferris State University, 2011)Teaching him a healthy lifestyleGeneralist Nursing Practice"Organize the interdisciplinaryhealth care needs of diverse populations across the lifespan toward achieving the goal of healthy individuals, families, groups and communities"(Ferris State University, 2011)At-risk populations

Synthesized understanding of the service learning experience as part of the overall nursing program, sharing insights and providing a summarization of the learning as it relates to BSN outcomes. Cited outcomes

Service learning has directly aligned with many of the program outcomes. The Scholarship for practice outcome aims to Advocate for healthcare across the continuum of health careenvironments"As nurses, we often only see patients when they need medical care. We need to remember that it is also our duty to educate patients in an attempt to avoid unnecessary medical needs. Working with children is a great way to instil positive lifestyle choices in todays population. If they can grasp healthy concepts at an early age, they can improve their health as they grow older and cross into new experiences and environments. Having been a Big Brother has allowed me to teach and model a healthy life style. I genuinely believe that I have made an impact on my littles life and I know that we both have and will continue to make better choices because of it.

The Generalist nursing practice outcome hopes to Organize the interdisciplinaryhealth care needs of diverse populations across the lifespan toward achieving the goal of healthy individuals, families, groups and communities"As healthcare providers, we care for diverse populations, some of which are considered at risk populations. We need to ensure we give enough time and attention to these groups as they are often the ones in most need. Working with my Little I have gained much insight into the different populations of my community as well as their physical and emotional needs. This will better allow me to care for them in a more acute setting as I will know some of the challenges they might face when they are discharged from my care.

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RecommendationsVery rewarding Fun and interactiveEasy to obtain hoursDirectly improve a childs life

At least a 12 month commitment

Gave personal recommendation as a possible experience for other nursing students.

While BBBS is a great program, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for future students. BBBS requests that the volunteer stays in the program for at least a year. They do not want role models continuously entering and leaving the childs life, as this might be an issue the child already deals with. However, it is a very rewarding program and one that makes volunteering fun and interactive. When I spend time with my life it is never a chore. It is something we both look forward to and enjoy. We schedule our own time together, making it very flexible and easy to obtain hours. The best part of being a Big Brother is the direct satisfaction of improving a child's life. 6

references

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. (2016a). Starting something since 1904. Retrieved from http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5960955/k.E56C/Starting_something_since_1904.htmBig Brothers Big Sisters of America. (2016b). Big impact proven results. Retrieved from http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5961035/k.A153/Big_impact8212proven_results.htmD.A. Blodgett St. Johns. (n.d.). Programs and services. Retrieved from http://www.dabsj.org/what-we-do/programs-and-servicesD.A. Blodgett St. Johns. (2016). 2015 community impact report. Retrieved from http://da-blodgett-st-johns.epaperflip.com/v/DABSJ-2015-Community-Impact-Report/#?page=0Ferris State University. (2011). BSN program outcomes [Website].Retrieved from http://www.ferris.edu/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN-program-outcomes.htm

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