This semester, I was involved with a different type of service than I had experienced before. I was a different experience but a great one. I was working with a refugee family that lived in Rogers Park. I worked with a family of four and also other children that were related to the family. I helped the children with their homework and assisted the father with his ESL worksheets. Besides that, I was building a friendly relationship with the family. I think my service made a difference because I provided assistance they would have not have had.  Along with the befriending of the family, I volunteered at the fundraiser my class set up. With that fundraiser, we made the Loyola community aware of the refugees in refugee camps and their situations.

I could improve my actions by spending more time with the family I have befriended. On a regular week, I would do two hours and a half of service and I think I could do more service throughout the week. I could also engage the families with more activities. I think I could improve the service by establishing deeper connections with the adults in the future. I plan on joining Loyola Refugee Outreach with my current partner and befriend another family. With the experience I gained through my first family service, I could do better and know how to handle situations better. Another way I will continue to be involved in social justice projects is by continuing to do service with those less fortunate, like at the soup kitchen here a Loyola. With the knowledge I have gained I can spread the word and aware others of the injustices going on.