Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Corrections Club Making a Difference!



Guess what our Corrections Club was up to last week! Criminal Justice/Corrections Club students gave their time and energy to Service-Learning and engaged in a project with Habitat for Humanity in Washington/Dodge County.
Corrections Club President, Jessica Parsons, has passion, enthusiasm and a sincere desire to become actively involved in the community through Service-Learning projects and has passed this passion on to other club members to become engaged in the process.

It began at a meeting when Jessica proposed the club focus should be on giving back to the community.  Students in the program/club identified poverty, homelessness, hunger, MH and AODA issues as some of the contributing factors affecting individuals and correlation among/within the CJ system.  In an effort to increase awareness and empathy among club members, it was decided the club would be part of the solution and get involved!

Club members and advisor met at a Habitat home in Washington County and assisted with mudding drywall, taping windows/doors to prep for painting, texture walls using a hopper and another student would complete the knock down of the texture. Two other students assisted with the breakdown of scaffolding at the other Habitat site (MPTC students in another program are currently building a duplex in Washington Co).





Photo: Joseph Clark, Peter Giove, Matthew Henning, Steve Smith, Jessica Parsons and Joan Barfield (Connections Science Instructor at MPTC).

Near lunchtime, the soon to be owner of the house arrived and the students had the opportunity to meet her and learn that she would be moving in with her four children. Currently, they are living in a homeless shelter.

Interestingly, many of the club members who helped with the house, were students in one or more of Brenda Schaefer’s classes and had the opportunity to engage in service-learning projects previously.
This is proof that service-learning is so meaningful to our students that they would love to help out again. Providing "service" and "learning" can create an impact in the lives of all members of a community.


Monday, October 14, 2013

Northeast Wisconsin Regional Network Gathering!


This last week we had the honor of hosting the Northeast Wisconsin Regional Network Gathering! We had a great opportunity to share and learn from one another!
 
We talked about how student learning is strongest when the service and work students do in the community is intentionally connected to civic development outcomes in the community. The Service Learning Program brings the campus and community together in partnership to share resources, meet real community needs, and educate students about their program. This gives students a chance to take what they learn from class and apply it in their community!


 
 
 
If you would like more information, please contact our service-learning VISTA Natalie Schmitz at 920-924-3337 or nschmitz2@morainepark.edu.
 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Moraine Park German Exchange Program 2013


Hallo wie geht es dir? Which is hello, how are you in German. Last week Thursday fourteen German students arrived from Frankfort, Germany in Madison, Wisconsin. To kick off the new journey in Wisconsin, the German students were welcome by their host.  I was excited to be hosting a German student for the third year in a row. Each time I learn new words, culture similarities and a priceless experience. On Friday, Moraine Park held a Welcome lunch for the German students at Park Terrace!




 

 
On the first night I made dinner for my host Danjeil. The meal included a fresh hamburger, sweet potato fries, and a variety of local beers from Wisconsin. The first night was a huge success with my host. I could tell from day one that my host and I have similarities. I am looking forward meeting the other students to expand my connections in Germany. Although my German speaking is not the greatest, but I do plan on improving my conversation skills before the students leave. Until the next blog I will give you an inside look on the activities planned for the German students.  Until then, Ciao!

Cheers,

Lee IV