Connection Through Volunteerism
Mentor 1
Ben Trager
Start Date
1-5-2020 12:00 AM
Description
Reflecting on the impact my experiences of volunteering gave me, I’ve noticed a serious change that has uplifted me in ways that I could only explain by posing the following question. “How does volunteering through a youth mentoring program influence sense of individual growth and my connection to the community?”. The method I used during the volunteering was guided reflection and then I incorporated free reflection. Through my volunteering I see the change in my mentee's attitude and demeanor towards school and activities, demonstrating that he is more engaged than when we first began. I also personally experience the direct results of social capital growth through volunteering. I now feel more connected to the community in which I belong because I' m volunteering in it. I have personally become more enriched due to the increased sense of belonging and purpose. Importantly, my findings coincide with Yosso’s idea of social capital. As I help in my community, I become more aware and present within it. This profound connection to my community develops my social growth. This growth is what I believe connects it to Yosso's idea of social capital. Through volunteering I have found a sense of belonging and purpose and seen how the volunteering affects others. This has shaped my sense of individual growth. By volunteering in the community, I feel more connected, because I’m taking an active part in it. My research focused on my experience and not so much of the mentees which was one of the limitations of the project. Yet, this research sheds light on an important issue of being able to relate to others and having a sense of belongingness.
Connection Through Volunteerism
Reflecting on the impact my experiences of volunteering gave me, I’ve noticed a serious change that has uplifted me in ways that I could only explain by posing the following question. “How does volunteering through a youth mentoring program influence sense of individual growth and my connection to the community?”. The method I used during the volunteering was guided reflection and then I incorporated free reflection. Through my volunteering I see the change in my mentee's attitude and demeanor towards school and activities, demonstrating that he is more engaged than when we first began. I also personally experience the direct results of social capital growth through volunteering. I now feel more connected to the community in which I belong because I' m volunteering in it. I have personally become more enriched due to the increased sense of belonging and purpose. Importantly, my findings coincide with Yosso’s idea of social capital. As I help in my community, I become more aware and present within it. This profound connection to my community develops my social growth. This growth is what I believe connects it to Yosso's idea of social capital. Through volunteering I have found a sense of belonging and purpose and seen how the volunteering affects others. This has shaped my sense of individual growth. By volunteering in the community, I feel more connected, because I’m taking an active part in it. My research focused on my experience and not so much of the mentees which was one of the limitations of the project. Yet, this research sheds light on an important issue of being able to relate to others and having a sense of belongingness.
