Nicole Makowan- Teen Reach

I volunteered my time at the Teen Reach after school program in Charleston, Illinois. The Illinois Coalition for Community Services, which is a non-profit organization, offers this program to children ages 11-17. Teen Reach provides help with homework, snacks, life skills education, physical exercise, and community service projects for the children involved in this program.

The Teen Reach program reflects many concepts learned in my FCS courses. In FCS 4840, I have learned about issues regarding families and poverty; mostly all of the children come from low-income families. Some of the children have behavior, social, and academic problems, which can be an effect from poverty.

During my volunteer time, I had a great conversation with C.J. Porter, who is the executive director of the program. He explained to me all of the progress these children have made within the program. He said how some of the children had D’s in certain subjects, and now they are getting B’s. Also, I learned a lot about the program from the other workers there. They explained to me that this is a free program and field trips they have gone on with the children. By talking to the staff, I could tell they enjoy their job, and it made me appreciate the program so much more.

The Teen Reach program has a considerable influence on the community. This program offers a place for children to go and spend their time doing something educational, creative, or active. This is a way to keep the children out of trouble. Also, this program helps families in the community because it is free and the caregivers can save some money. Lastly, the children in the program get to participate in a community service project that benefits the society in some way.

Overall, I enjoyed this volunteering experience. This was my first time at the Teen Reach program, and I know it will not be my last. I think this is a great program for children who are considered at risk. They are able to spend time with people who care about them on their homework, which might not be the case at home. It was an amazing feeling to know by spending some time out of my day I was able to make a difference in these children’s lives.