Andrews House

Scott Hassee ’10

As a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on campus, we wanted to reach out and help others in the community. As student athletes we are often very busy, and we heard that Andrews House serves meals on the third Thursday of every month to those in need in the Delaware community. This “Third Thursday” event is one that allows FCA members to reach out in the community without stretching the student-athlete too thin. I’ve always heard it said “ ‘Tis better to give than to receive”, and helping to serve meals at Andrews House has made this wise saying a reality for me. It’s been a rewarding experience for me because the people who come are so thankful. It’s a true and honest thank you from their hearts, and to know that I helped make even the smallest difference in their lives is what makes each Third Thursday meal worthwhile. This opportunity has also humbled me by reminding me to count my blessings and thank the Lord every day for everything that He has given to me.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Andrew Au ’08

Serving with the Willis Big Brothers Big Sisters program was a wonderful experience for me. During my senior year, I became the lead mentor, which meant that I was in charge of all the Big and Little Brothers in the program. I started in Big Brothers Big Sisters because I wanted to make a difference in the community. This program allowed me to help young students to perform at their very best, both socially and academically. At BBBS, Bigs come to Willis Intermediate School to be with their Littles, not only to help tutor but also hang out and be with them. To see your Little figure out what has been frustrating them in their homework, witness their grades go up or just play and laugh with them is a tremendous joy to experience firsthand. Being a Big Brother undoubtedly helped me to grow as much as it helped the young students to do the same.

Delaware Speech and Hearing Center

Melissa Digges Corcoran ’05

During the fall semester of my sophomore year I had the opportunity to interview Guy Naples, director of the Delaware Speech and Hearing Center, for a class. I couldn’t believe how encouraging and full of knowledge he was. He must have seen something in me that day because at the end of our conversation he asked me if I would like to do an internship at the Center. Professor Leavy in the Psychology Department agreed to supervise my internship, which I completed in the spring of my sophomore year. I learned so much about speech language pathology and was sure that this was the career for me. Throughout my college experience, the Delaware Speech and Hearing Center and I maintained a great relationship. After my graduation from the Ohio State University’s speech language pathology program, I couldn’t believe there was an opening for a speech language pathologist at the Center! How wonderful to have come full circle. My husband and I have since relocated, but I continue to work as a speech pathologist in my new community in Southeastern Ohio. I can’t imagine a better career for myself. I encourage all the faculty and staff at Ohio Wesleyan University to donate to the United Way Campaign. United Way makes it possible for organizations like the Delaware Speech and Hearing Center to exist. United Way agencies are wonderful places for college students to complete internships. They foster a sense of commitment to the community and a passion to help make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts

Kristin Lear ’11

I can’t even begin to express how meaningful my time in Girl Scouts has been, which is why I became a Life Member upon graduation from high school, and have helped start the Campus Girl Scout group at OWU. I am excited to be working with other enthusiastic Girl Scouts as we lead two local elementary school troops and plan events for Girl Scouts in the Delaware area. Girl Scouts is an amazing organization, one that has allowed me to grow into the person I am today. The Girl Scout mission states: “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” To me, these words do not just represent an idea. They represent a way of life, one that I am proud to live by. I know that as I continue my college career, I will remain a proud Girl Scout. I hope that you will give your support for this wonderful organization so that girls in our community and across the world can continue to have opportunities to become the courageous and confident leaders of tomorrow.

Habitat for Humanity

Amy Tuttle ’08

Gandhi said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” This is an idea that has become very significant to my vocational and spiritual growth, my worldview, and the way that I spend my time. During my senior year, I spent my time interning at Habitat for Humanity. My time at the organization fueled my passion to make a difference in terms of creating economic justice in my community! I had the opportunity to work hands-on with families, churches, and the wonderful staff. In the Spring of 2007, I presented the idea to spend a semester interning at Delaware County Habitat for Humanity to my professor Dr. Leavy. The opportunity sounded very appealing to me because of my interest in learning about issues that surround poverty and finding ways to take action to combat these issues. One prevalent issue that affects low-income households is housing disparity. The focus of Habitat for Humanity is to provide the opportunity of home-ownership to families in need. My internship was a great opportunity to put my ideas to action, practice leadership, and become a voice in the Delaware community!

HelpLine

Ben Goodrum ’09

I have been a volunteer at HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties for over a year now and it has been one of the most valuable experiences of my college career. HelpLine is a not-for-profit crisis, suicide, and information and referral, 24 hour telephone hotline. In addition to providing assistance for suicidal and other crisis callers the organization offers a host of its own family-centered services. These support services cater to people who may need emergency emotional or financial aid. HelpLine advertised for volunteers and I felt that being a hotline worker would be a truly engaging way I could be of service in the Delaware community. I began answering calls after several months of comprehensive training about how to conduct calls and provide relevant referrals. As a volunteer hotline worker I have been able to learn how to better respond to the challenges of various individual and family crises. I have also gained a worthwhile understanding of how people in the US deal with living without enough resources. When I reminisce about my college years, HelpLine will be one of the most positive of my memories.

Liberty Community Center

Catie Coleman ’09

Working with the children and staff at the Liberty Community Center this year has been an incredible experience. Each child has a completely unique background, but the staff at LCC brings them together in a loving environment where they can be challenged appropriately to gain the skills they will need to succeed far into their future. I have many fond memories of my childhood experiences at a center very similar to LCC. I know personally how important it is to a child’s development to be nurtured in an educational setting like that provided at LCC. The old proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child,” rings true at centers like LCC. Because many of the children come from less than wealthy families, support from the community is essential to their healthy intellectual and social development.

Special Olympics of Delaware County

Amy Sultzbach ’09

The reason why I enjoy coaching Special Olympics the most is really because of the athletes. Each person on my swimming and women’s basketball teams, is unique in their own way. They love to be there, work hard, and make coaching as much fun for you. It can be time consuming, such as coaching a swim meet all weekend or driving a few hours for a basketball tournament, but it is all worth it in the end. To give these athletes a chance to be successful and to learn skills that will benefit them in the future are some of the many reason why I enjoy coaching and being involved with Special Olympics so much.

Turning Point

Stephanie Bologeorges ’08

The first time I volunteered at Turning Point, (Domestic Violence Shelter), I knew my experience with the agency would not be short-lived, and I soon became an intern. As part of the internship, I was required to first shadow each agency member for a week to gain a holistic and integrated understanding before choosing a set area in which to work. I went to arraignments and court hearings, learned to do assessment intakes, answered the 24-hour crisis hotline, attended victims’ support groups, as well as offender groups. I helped lead workshops on healthy relationships, promoted the agency at outreach events, worked on grants, played with children in the shelter, and helped with publicity. Each experience uncovered yet another facet of the precious gem that is Turning Point. As a psychology major I was drawn to the counseling sector, and eventually worked for Turning Point as a group facilitator. The opportunities for involvement with Turning Point are endless and diverse, with internal support for implementation of new ideas. The staff are some of the most kind-hearted and giving people I’ve ever met, actually living the mission they so ceaselessly promote. My time with Turning Point was invaluable in so many ways, and I would readily encourage others to get involved.

United Way of Delaware County

Paola Grullón ’10

In my capacity as the OWU Intern for Latino Outreach, I have been working with a number of community partners, but the majority of my work has been at the Woodward Family Resource Center which is sponsored by Action for Children and funded by a grant from the United Way. My internship would not have been possible without the guidance and support of Erin Brite, who is the director of the Woodward Family Resource Center. She helped me throughout the process of establishing my role and reputation in the community. I learned from her how to be efficient at finding available resources, how to organize the data collected from the community while preserving the confidentiality, and how to keep a record of all interactions in order to have an accurate log for tracking outcomes. Furthermore, she helped me to grow as an individual, and to successfully achieve the goals established by my internship.

Victim Services

Tabrina Dolder ’08

Working in the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office of Victim Services was a really great opportunity! The office of Victim Services assists victims of serious felony crimes through the twists and turns of the legal system, and offers them support in a kind and confidential environment. They also have the role of screening for Protection Orders for individuals in fear for their safety. I obtained this internship by filling out an application and interviewing for the position. When I was offered the position, the staff helped me work out a schedule that fit with my classes. The office provides great training that prepares interns for working with survivors and handling other responsibilities. Through this internship I attended court hearings with survivors, worked with community members over the phone and in person, and assisted with other daily work. I met so many members of the Delaware community and networked with other agencies throughout the county. I learned a lot about myself, and this experience showed me a potential career path that I never would have found otherwise. This is an opportunity for anyone who is compassionate and enjoys helping others.