Paula C. Mazzeo
Bachelor of Science, Family and Human Services
SERVICE LEARNING
Service-learning is learning that incorporates meaningful community service with and emphasis on reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Service learning requires group work instead of an individualized experience such as internship.
My service learning project was much more than another school project for me. I learned so much about my capabilities and myself during the semester of service learning. Because service learning requires you to do a lot of reflection on the work you are doing you can't help but learn to adapt to this new way of thinking. This class helped me refine my interpersonal skills, that included flexibility, conflict management, conflict resolution, as well as constructive criticism. I learned and became proficient in communication, group dynamics, and leadership. On a personal level completing my service-learning project solidified that I want to work in the health and wellness fields of human services. This experience, though challenging and sometimes seemingly impossible to accomplish was probably the most intellectually and emotionally influential class I have experienced in my educational journey thus far.
My Site: Park Heights Community Health Alliance
Park Heights Community Health Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to collaborate in the improvement of the health of Baltimore's Park Heights community through health and wellness initiatives, environmentalism, community education and service. This wonderful organization has an incredible staff that live this mission in their own personal lives as well as professional lives. The dedication to provide access to health and wellness eduation is their top priority and does so while engaging the community around them.
Location: Park Heights
Park Heights is a Baltimore neighborhood located north west of Druid Hill Park. This now at-risk neighborhood battles deteriorating levels of employment, and homeownership and increasing levels of crime. Community health has also been a major issue, as Park Heights has become a part of the many food desert areas of Baltimore city. Finding fresh, healthy food has become hard to come by and many of the residents have settled for corner store or fast food. As a result, increasing numbers of heart disease and cancer have been reported.
The Project: Brassica Fest
After doing research of the area and speaking with the executive director on how we could be most helpful with our time there, our group decided to create a social media marketing plan in order to create buzz in the neighborhood about they're first annual Brassica Festival. This was to be a celebration of greens, a gathering to have an open conversation with community members and health experts on the benefits of healthy eating.
Our Work In Action:
By the end of our time we successfully created a Facebook page for community members to reference to before and after the festival. We successfully created a Twitter account that is still active and run by one of the staff members in the office today. Not only did we create a social media presence but also participated in good old fashion marketing by leaving flyers in neighbor's mailboxes and putting up posters in local businesses around the area. To take a look at the work we did click on the Facebook and Twitter icons below!
The event ended up being a great success with many community members interested in learning about what they can do to better their health concerns. This event was a great experience to be a part of and the knowledge I learned from speaking to community members, PHCHA staff, and participating in class is irreplaceable. As I reflect on my experience in this class I do believe I achieved what a service learning class sets out to accomplish; civic duty, strengthening of community, and a positive and enriched learning experience.
Below you can see some of the pictures from the event!