“My students would learn what I taught them, and then take that information and help their families live healthier lives.”
“But by the end of the year I realized it was more or less a cover and inside they were just sweet, middle school girls who wanted so desperately to not be let down one more time.”
The Sisters Academy of Baltimore is a tuition-free private school which educates economically disadvantaged middle school girls in West Baltimore. Part of my service at the school included teaching a life skills class. The class focused on emotional, social, and physical health.
While it was pretty evident that my students were absorbing information about nutrition and health in class, I was not sure if they were applying that information outside of the classroom. Fortunately, one of my colleagues shared a story with me which affirmed that my students did see the merit of my lessons.
A student’s mother had been hospitalized. According to the mother, when she was released from the hospital, her daughter told her that they needed to change how they were eating. She taped a food pyramid to their refrigerator, and proceeded to explain how they should be eating. The mother was very supportive of her daughter’s mandate. This was my ultimate goal- that my students would learn what I taught them, and then take that information and help their families live healthier lives.
Alicia, graduate of the University of Florida, BSVM volunteer 2008-2009. Following her ministry at the Sisters Academy of Baltimore,
Alicia moved to the Dominican Republic to serve with the Peace Corps.
“Granted me confidence I never would have thought possible”
This year of service has granted me confidence I never would have thought possible. I never imagined the growth I would experience from the people I have served this year. They have given me the gift of patience and understanding, something I can never forget. I cannot count the large number of patients who have touched me this year; I can only hope that I have touched just as many through my service.
~ Rose, graduate of the University of Scranton, BSVM volunteer 2009-2010. As a Bon Secours Volunteer, Rose served in the Vascular lab at Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital.
She was recently accepted to school to become a Physician’s Assistant.r.
“She said it was about more than just the screening”
"While visiting a senior building and doing blood pressure checks, a new woman came in with very high blood pressure. I was worried and didn’t want her to just walk out with such a high pressure. I told her to have a seat on the couch and I would take her pressure again after she relaxed. After I gave her some time, her pressure started to slowly come down. I sat down and talked to her for awhile and she was very thankful that she came to get her pressure checked and that I was talking to her. She said it was about more than just the screening that I had provided her with comfort and some sort of counseling. I gave her reassurance and made sure she was feeling okay before I let her go. This was a proud moment in my volunteer year because I felt that I was truly doing something worthwhile and that I was put in that place at that time for a special reason.
Who would have thought that by just doing my job I would have made someone feel that special and have had such an impact?
~ Sarah, graduate of Xavier University, BSVM volunteer 2009-2010. After serving with the Tele-Heart program, Sarah returned home. She looks forward to becoming a nurse.
“I had not anticipated how many barriers and tests the students would put in front of me.”
Before I started teaching at Sisters Academy I thought a lot about all that I would be able to accomplish in the year, about how I was going to shape my students, and about how I would have the opportunity to be a positive role model in their lives.
I had not anticipated how many barriers and tests the students would put in front of me before I could even start to earn their trust and have any meaningful impact on their lives. This challenge was most obvious to me in my efforts to help the 8th grade produce their first-ever school yearbook.
The 8th grade’s efforts on the yearbook helped them to gain confidence in their abilities to work together as a team. The project also helped me to realize how naïve I was to think that the students were going to trust me immediately upon my arrival at the school.
Growing up in some of the harder parts of Baltimore City and experiencing firsthand the turmoil in Baltimore City public schools had left many of my students guarded and tough to reach.
But by the end of the year I realized it was more or less a cover and inside they were just sweet, middle school girls who wanted so desperately to not be let down one more time.
~ Cassie, graduate of St. Joseph’s University, BSVM volunteer 2007-2008. Cassie continues to teach at the Sisters Academy of Baltimore where she served
full-time as a Bon Secours Volunteer.
“I cannot begin to express the magnitude of growth I experienced this year simply by offering help and love to others.”
With my service in the Renal Dialysis Unit, the greatest role to fill was to be an advocate for the patients. Sometimes all they needed was for someone to voice their concerns or wishes. One time there was a problem with their identification badges. All it took was for me to push for it from administration and, together, we worked to create the possibility. The patients were enthralled to have this put in motion. And they were happy to have someone stay accountable for things like that.
I cannot begin to express the magnitude of growth I experienced this year simply by offering help and love to others. The relationships formed from this year will be lasting ones.
~ Kathleen, graduate of Montclair State University, BSVM volunteer 2009-2010. After serving in the Renal Dialysis Unit at Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital, Kathleen returned home and looks forward to attending medical school.
The Sisters Academy of Baltimore is a tuition-free private school which educates economically disadvantaged middle school girls in West Baltimore. Part of my service at the school included teaching a life skills class. The class focused on emotional, social, and physical health.