Running head: SERVICE LEARNING SYNTHESIS

Service Learning Synthesis

Jennifer J. Smith
Ferris State University

Service Learning Synthesis

Service learning integrates meaningful community service with reflection to enrich the
learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and reinforces the moral values inherent in
serving others (Bandy, 2014). The student benefits of community engagement include increased
social responsibility, reduced stereotypes and greater inter-cultural understanding (Bandy, 2014).
A service learning experience was completed at a local church preparing and serving meals to the
homeless and economically challenged. This volunteer service will be described as well as the
outcomes of personal and professional growth, and how the experience enhanced my
understanding and cultural sensitivity to this vulnerable population and the challenges they face.
Agency Description
The Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City participates with eight other
churches to provide a hot meal to the homeless every day of the year. They also open their doors
seven days a week to this population in the winter months and five days per week year round
(Central United Methodist Church, n.d.). They have an on-site Community Outreach
Coordinator that works with guests on job and assistance applications, provides BATA bus
passes to those with special needs, and counseling on how to obtain other services that they
might be in need of (Central United Methodist Church, n.d.). There is also a Street Outreach
Coordinator that connects with people at the church during meals and out in the community.
This church also participates with twenty other churches and community groups in the
Safe Harbor Program which provides shelter, meals, and referral resources for the homeless of
the Grand Traverse region during the cold weather months (GT Safe Harbor, n.d.). The church
hosted Safe Harbor during the month of February 1st-15th, 2014, averaging 62 guests for 14
nights, a slight increase over the prior year (Central United Methodist Church, n.d.). None of

this could have been accomplished without the help of volunteers. 175 Central volunteers
worked over 1000 hours and served over 1800 meals during this shelter period (Central United
Methodist Church, n.d.).
Volunteer Role Description
My volunteer role at the church included preparing and serving meals to the homeless
and economically challenged (see Appendix A). I worked alongside other volunteers and learned
about their commitment to helping others. The volunteers roles varied from buying the food to
cooking and cleaning up after each meal. They also have the opportunity to connect with the
people that attend the meals and to be a positive influence in their lives. The volunteers
compassion and caring was inspiring and I realized that without their time and contributions, this
service could not be possible.
One of the goals while completing the service learning hours was to learn about the
homeless and the issues that affect them including nutrition, healthcare, and basic living needs.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (2014), there are 610,042 people
experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States. Accessible and affordable
housing is the key underlying need for all of these situations regardless of other demographic
factors (National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Inc., 2014). The shelter service that the
Safe Harbor program provides is critical to the homeless population.
During this time I discovered some of the stories of some of the regulars that frequently
attend the community meals. These regulars come from various backgrounds with a range of
education from not finishing high school to obtaining a masters degree. Most of the people
were very thankful and appreciative of the meals, and would make an extra effort to say thank

you. I realized that life circumstances can happen to anyone and can contribute to becoming
homeless.
Another goal was to learn about the community resources and health care options for this
vulnerable population. I had the opportunity to talk with the Community Outreach Coordinator
for Grand Traverse County about her role in the community and the available resources. I was
astonished at all of the services available to this population that I was not aware of. Becoming
knowledgeable about the various programs and resources available within the community will
help me to provide patients with the information needed for seeking necessary nutrition and
affordable health services. I found this volunteer role not only fulfilling and enriching, but also
inspiring to me both personally and professionally.
Critical Reflection
As I reflect upon my experience in this service learning role, I realize how much
knowledge and growth I gained from this experience. My initials thoughts prior to completing
the first hours of service is that I would meet a variety of homeless people, many with
psychological problems, addiction problems and/or poor social skills. These were pre-conceived
notions that I had about the homeless population. These assumptions of the causes of
homelessness can lead to stigma and prejudice. As a health care provider, it is important to
identify my own prejudices in order to provide care in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner.
I also learned that housing itself can be considered a form of health care because it
prevents new conditions from developing and existing conditions from worsening (National
Health Care for the Homeless Council, 2014). Research shows that people are homeless because
they cannot find housing they can afford, and in fact an estimated 12 million renter and
homeowner households now pay more than 50 percent of their annual incomes for housing

(National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2014). These figures are alarming and explains one of
the many factors that contributes to homelessness.
In addition, I learned about volunteering and the value to the community while enhancing
personal and professional growth. This experience changed my view and sense of belonging to a
community. The impact I have on helping others in times of need will in turn help me to grow as
a person and become part of the solution to a growing problem. The personal outcomes of
community engagement included a greater personal sense of spiritual growth and moral
development (Bandy, 2014). The time I spent volunteering allowed me to grow spiritually by
doing something for the greater good.
Synthesis
One of the characteristics of professional nursing is community service (KearneyNunnery, 2008). Service learning is an important part of the professional nursing program as it
enhances promotion of serving the community and instills a sense of community that contributes
to professional growth. This experience meets the Professionalism outcome of Ferris State
Universitys RN-BSN program which is to demonstrate a level of professionalism that is
congruent with the inherent values, ethics, and behaviors of the discipline of nursing. The
impact I have on helping others in times of need will also in turn help me to continue to grow as
a person, and a nurse. The insights I gained about myself throughout this experience serving
others offered me the opportunity to reduce stereotypes and biases and gain a greater
understanding of vulnerable populations. It also improved my values of social responsibility and
citizenship skills. As a result of this experience, I gained knowledge, empathy, and sensitivity to
the homeless community and other vulnerable populations which I can directly apply to my
professional practice.

References
Bandy, J. (2014). What is service learning or community engagement? Retrieved from http:
//cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-through-community-engagement/#what
Central United Methodist Church (n.d.). Community Outreach. Retrieved from
http://www.tccentralumc.org/communityoutreach
GT Safe Harbor (n.d.). GT Safe Harbor. Retrieved from http://gtsafeharbor.org/
Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2008). Advancing your career: Concepts of professional nursing (4th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.
National Alliance to End Homelessness (2013). Snapshot of homelessness. Retrieved from
http://www.nationahomelees.org/factsheets/health.html
National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Incorporated (2013). Are there different types of
homelessness? Retrieved from http://www.nhchc.org/faq/types-homelessness/