Connelly

Name:Louise Connelly

Guiding Question: How can I help the people of Wilmington?

(optional) Use this space to list possible activities, tasks, experiences. Remember everything you do should help you answer your Guiding Question.

(Required) This plan is a “best guess” as to what you and your mentor think you will be doing. It is not meant to be a hard and fast schedule for your Exploration. The plan should illustrate how you intend to complete a minimum of 80 hours.


 * = Date ||= Location/Activity ||= Number of Hours ||
 * = 5/16- 5/20 ||= Thrift Center (1320 E. 23rd St, Wilmington, 19802) ||= 40 ||
 * = 5/23- 5/25 ||= Bayard House (300 Bayard Avenue, Wilmington, 19805) ||= 24 ||
 * = 5/26, 5/27, 6/2 ||= Greenhill Avenue Office ||= 24 ||
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=Journal:=

Wednesday, May 18th 2011

I started my exploration this week working at the Thrift Center in Wilmington for Catholic Charities. The work I am doing is what I expected, opening boxes, sorting donations, and hanging and organizing the items in the shop. The only schedule change occurred because I had an IB exam this morning and couldn't get to work until the afternoon. At the Thrift Center I work with several other regular volunteers, and a few people who are employed by Catholic Charities. They are all very welcoming and I find that I am enjoying my time getting to know them very much. I am learning a lot from my exploration already, and I think I am helping out the Center quite a bit; what I think is most valuable for me, however, is the interaction I experience with the other inspiring volunteers. My discussions with my mentors have so far involved only the basics of what work I will complete and what hours I will work, but I am learning a lot about the processes involved with the Thrift Center. I am in the process of broadening my understanding of the ways I can help the people of Wilmington.

5/21: Sounds like this is working out well for you..have you actually got the projected 40 hours in so far? Great! Mr. Bernard

Tuesday, May 31st 2011

Last week I continued to follow my Plan of Action exactly as was originally outlined. The dates and times of the places I worked in are either very set (such as the professional environment of my work at the Catholic Charities office on Greenhill Avenue), or the place is open 24/7 (such as the Bayard House, which is a home for pregnant, homeless teenagers). This week I continued adding up the hours, as was planned above. I will conclude my exploration on Thursday with my final 8 hours, working in the office. My discussions with my mentors are essential to my understanding of the purpose and processes involved in each area of Catholic Charities. I am learning a lot about the depth and the breadth of the work Catholic Charities does in the community. My discussions with my latest "supervisor," the head of communications and all publications of Catholic Charities, helped me to understand some essentials of PR. She allowed me to get a sense of the types of jobs she covers, and the ways in which Catholic Charities communicates through written publications with the rest of the community. I was able to write an article that may be published in the next edition of their newsletter, as well as update a news report on their upcoming food drive, and draft a public service announcement that will be sent to local radios. As before, I find my discussions to be the most interesting parts of my exploration. I learn both about the people who work for Catholic Charities in the service of others, and the people who Catholic Charities serves. I find that I am growing more deeply impressed with the charitable work of this organization, and the people who dedicate their time and energy to its services.

Thursday, June 2nd 2011

Today is the final day of my exploration. I have completed the 80 hours of exploration almost exactly as outlined in the original schedule, and have had the chance to visit three different Catholic Charities locations. As for nuts&bolts, my entire exploration went very smoothly. Everyone was very accomodating, and the hours were convenient and easily achievable. I believe I have answered my guiding question, 'How can I help the people of Wilmington?'. My exploration exposed me to many ways one can perform service in the city of Wilmington just through Catholic Charities, and I now understand how simple it is to find and join a place or organization designed to serve others in the community. I see how I have helped the people of Wilmington physically, through my work at the Thrift Center sorting donations, and through my work at the Bayard House with the more administrative side of the program But I also hope that my influence will expand even further with the publication of the article I wrote about my experiences. In the article, I also urge others in the community who have the time and the resources to join Catholic Charities (or really any charitable organization) in the services they provide.

On another level, I realize how much I have gained from this experience. While I may have been doing service for others, I was also learning so much about a side of my hometown to which I had never been exposed. I got to meet and learn about people, who lived lifestyles so different than mine, yet live so close. I heard a lot of stories throughout my exploration that deeply touched me. I also got to witness firsthand the ways in which programs or organizations or even just other charitable people can serve as resources, and how essential it is to take full advantage of the opportunities you are given. After this exploration, I think I will take things a lot less for granted, not only physical things that I have, like shelter, a home, or family, but also opportunities and resources. This experience was lifechanging in ways I had never expected.

5/7/11 POL presented successfully in Meeting Room. Mentor not present. Copy of mentor evaluation not yet turned in--she will get it asap. Thank you written and envelope submitted but not fully addressed. She will get us address and also evaluation.