Cityview Volunteering
When I went to Cityview last week to volunteer for ACES, we (the volunteers) were given the task of surveying the students about how they feel ACES works for them. The questions were all very interesting and I got some interesting answers. Here are some examples:
- "Do you feel that there is at least one adult in the ACES program who cares for you?"
~to which I got responses like: "Yes, you are one!" and "YES!" (with a big smile on their faces
- "Do you think ACES has helped you to do better in school?"
~"Ya, it helps me get my homework done in time."
- "Do you turn all your homework in on time?"
~"Haha, no..."
-"Do you have important plans for the future?"
~"Yes, I want to be a veterinarian."
-"Do you plan on going to college?"
~ I got mostly yes's, but one student said, "No, I am not smart enough." To which I responded, "I think you could finish college if you put your mind to it. He just shrugged.
- "What is the one thing ACES could change to be better? (not including having more trips or free time)?"
~"I wish we had more organized activities in the classroom."
- "Do you ever feel that you need to use physical force to get something you want."
~"No."
-"Do you ever hit people when you feel like it."
~ Generally no's, but one student said, "Yes, but only when we play fight."
These questions, among others were asked to the students in order to gage how ACES has been affecting them, and how they view the program. Most of the students answered the questions the way one would hope they would, but every so often I would receive an answer that took me aback. Overall, though, the students really felt that ACES was a positive experience for them. They almost all said that ACES has helped them improve in school. It was really interesting to conduct the surveys. The students were all very excited to participate and the ones who we didn't get to were very disappointed. It was a nice close to my experience at Cityview, though I would love to continue volunteering there. Chad offered a place to us for next year if we wanted to return, and I am seriously contemplating going back. It has been a moving and eye opening experience to work with the kids. I have greatly enjoyed myself.