Alternative Spring Break Philly, day 2: ‘Time to get started on service’


While other students are looking forward to some rest and relaxation this spring break, close to 250 FIU students will be spending their time helping others. From March 13-22, the students are participating in FIU’s Alternative Spring Break, a program that gives them a chance to volunteer all over the world. One of FIU’s groups is in Philadelphia. You can follow their adventures in this blog. Today we hear from Ian Wogan about the day’s plans.

Dream Garden 2009

aB Phillies 2009, from left to right: Ian, Ibis, Klaudia, Melissa, Rayda, Stephanie, Ebony, Nadja

We got to the center early and decided to do a quick “reflection” on what the issues were that we were working with at the center. Going around the circle, “reflecting” allows each member of the group to share her or his thoughts or emotions on a given topic. So the issue that we reflected on this morning was what these children faced every day and the role that the community center plays in their lives. We discussed the fact that these children’s parents often work several jobs, leaving little to no quality time with their children. On top of that, there are many problems with domestic violence, drug abuse and neglect in these children’s homes and these can cause harmful cycles that may repeat for generations.

aB Phillies 2009: Ian and the kids

The community center is a place for these children to come, learn, feel supported and safe, and grow in healthy, positive ways. Because of the security that these children feel at the community center, they immediately form close bonds with the staff. One of the greatest feelings that we have experienced is having the children come up to you, grab your hand and with all the innocence in the world, look straight into your soul. They all have a million questions to ask, and it is very rewarding to be here, giving the full-time staff a bit of a reprieve from their endless everyday work. — Ian Wogan

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