NC-ACTS! Member Spotlight

March 2010

Name: Katelyn Mattox

Institution: Appalachian State University

Service Site: Legal Aid of North Carolina – Boone Office

Term of Service: Fall 2009 – Winter 2010

Summary of specific duties: While working at Legal Aid of North Carolina, I spent my time focusing on community outreach and ensuring that our clients’ needs were being met, not just legally.  Because Legal Aid is an income-based agency, many of our clients had needs outside of the legal realm that had an impact on their wellness. I assisted our clients by helping them get in touch with many available community resources, including sliding-scale counseling services, public housing, and fulfulling court mandated requirements.  I also focused on getting the word out about Legal Aid to as many sources as possible within the seven county area Legal Aid of Boone serves.

Summary of the service experience: As a social work major, community service is a very important aspect of life to me.  I feel the overall summary of my service experience with NC-ACTS!  is that it was one more beneficial opportunity to gain experience serving my community.  To be a successful social worker, you have to understand the population you’re trying to help and there’s no better way to understand a person than to put out your hand, lend an ear, and do whatever you can think of to help.  NC-ACTS! helped me gain more knowledge and understanding of the people and the world around me.

Best part of your NC-ACTS! experience: I feel the best part of my NC-ACTS! experience was getting to know all of the co-workers, mentors, supervisors, clients, community members, attorneys, students, and personnel I came in contact with throughout my service time. Networking is an important way to get things done in this world and I feel I built a lot of contacts that I can utilize throughout my career.

Philosophy on service/Favorite quote about service: "It is crucial to remember that your personal wants, needs, or desires are never more important or pertinent than each person that passes you everyday."

February 2010

Name: David Naff                    

Institution: Wake Forest University

Service Site: Winston Salem Preparatory Academy

Term of Service: Fall 2009 -Winter 2010

Summary of specific duties: Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with middle and high school students, assist high school students on college preparation process, converse with parents on wellbeing of their child, assist administration in daily school activities, conduct guidance lessons with middle school students, offer aid to teachers experiencing difficulties within the classroom, direct and oversee student-led mentoring program between high school seniors and middle school students.

Summary of the service experience: At WSPA I have had the opportunity to work with a population of students that represent a new hope in their families through their striving towards a college education. Many of these students will be the first in their families to accomplish such a goal. By working through the school guidance office, I have been privileged to see the progress of students grades 6th through 12th. I offer counseling services to both individuals and groups of students and work to establish relationships with them that are meaningful and most importantly helpful.

Best part of your NC-ACTS! experience: I have been fortunate enough to be given the freedom to establish a new mentoring program this year at WSPA. This student-run program allows seniors to serve as mentors and role models to a middle school student in need. What has resulted has been a tremendous level of care demonstrated by the students involved, and a desire to accomplish something bigger than themselves.

Philosophy on service/Favorite quote about service: "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not intend to sit." –Aldous Huxley

January 2010

Name: Ruvim Kurudimov

Institution: Central Piedmont Community College

Service Site: Weddington Park Assisted Living

Term of Service:  Fall 2009

Summary of specific duties: The residents at Weddington Park say that I am one of the best callers for Bingo. Much of the time that I spend with the residents is about discussing present and past events in history and listening to their opinions about these events.

Summary of the service experience: I make sure that the residents enjoy the activities that Weddington Park offers. I do this by explaining or demonstrating the activities of the day.

Best part of your NC-ACTS! experience: I liked the fact that I learned a lot about American history that I didn’t know before, especially how much our culture and society has changed.

Philosophy on service/Favorite quote about service: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” – Luke 6:31 (Bible)

December 2009

Name: Sherry Oxendine                   

Institution: The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Service Site: The Robeson County Department of Social Services

Term of Service:  Fall 2009

Summary of specific duties: Conduct Child Family Team meetings, accompany social workers on client home assessments, and work with families and children to make sure children are safe and families stay together.

Summary of the service experience: My experience at the Robeson County Department of Social Services in one word would be exciting. I never knew what was going to happen from day to day. No day was the same. There were always new families to meet and resources to be found in the community. I enjoyed being part of the Child Family Team Meetings held for the families. The best part of the meeting was when clients tell about their progress and what they would like to do in the future to make their lives and their children’s lives better.

Best part of your NC-ACTS! experience: Although there were many things that I enjoyed being part of at the Robeson County Department of Social Services I would have to say the best part of my NC-ACTS! Experience would be when I go out and buy new clothing for children who are being placed in foster homes or group homes. The facial expression of a child going through a traumatic experience such as being placed outside of their home for whatever reason is horrifying but the reaction of happiness in the midst of fear and pain gave me the warmest feeling ever.

Philosophy on service/Favorite quote about service: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”-Shirley Chisholm

March 2009

Gretchen Jacox

UNC-Greensboro

February 2009

Jennifer Dull     

Lenior-Rhyne University    

January 2009

Mary L. Thompson         

University of North Carolina at Pembroke 

December 2008

Jemikia Cartledge

Mars Hill College