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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake it Matter students deliver blessing bags to Stevenson Elementary School in District 87.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Students were recruited to participate by academic advisors and faculty members. The first two weeks of the program, students brainstormed community concerns that they personally cared about. \u201cAs the students researched issues in the community, they narrowed their list down to a concern that resonated with them the most,\u201d explained Bailey.<\/p>\n
Amber Smith, a student in criminal justice sciences, said that her group decided to start with a goal question to help them form an action plan. \u201cOur goal question was: How can we provide better educational resources and programs on diseases, mental health, and nutrition to under-resourced communities that lack funding, might be lower income, or have hospital scarcity?\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s team decided to create and distribute blessing bags to students at Stevenson Elementary School, part of District 87 in Bloomington. The bags included healthy snacks and personal hygiene items.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned a lot about team building, research, and teamwork, all skills that I will take with me into my future career,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s teammate, Kyle Ross, a student majoring in medical laboratory science, said, \u201cIf we really want to help someone, we have to learn what they need. Taking the time to learn that is one important way that we can offer compassion and kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Makiah Watson, a human development and family science major, participated in a group that decided to focus on supporting victims of sexual assault. \u201cAfter some research, voting, and deliberation, we decided to have a fundraiser to raise money for a local organization.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watson\u2019s group sold snacks on campus and donated the proceeds to YWCA\u2019s Stepping Stones program. The money purchased two sets of clothing for a sexual assault victim to be able to wear home from the hospital. \u201cThe amount of engagement we received with the project, along with realizing how much money we raised, was so rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua Vargas, an engineering technology and computer systems technology major, worked with a group that decided to focus on students\u2019 mental health. The group decided to host a Paint and Sip event to encourage their fellow students to relax and prioritize their mental health during a very busy time in the semester.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most rewarding part of the project was being able to say that I was part of a group that was able to make a difference,\u201d said Vargas. \u201cI learned that even if the things you do feel small in comparison to the things around it, all it takes is something small to cause a ripple effect to get things started.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoyed working with the students, watching their engagement, and seeing their critical thinking skills develop as the projects progressed,\u201d said Bailey. \u201cI look forward to seeing what our CAST students accomplish in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipating in this program was good for the soul,\u201d said Smith. \u201cGetting involved in a group like this one is something that students shouldn\u2019t miss out on in their time here at ISU.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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