Students from Dr. Elaine Adam’s “Introduction to Psychology” class at Houston Community College’s Spring Branch campus recently reached out to help the homeless by volunteering at the Bread of Life Ministries at St. John’s Downtown Church.
The students, Daniel Barrientos, Dominic Kiarie, Manny Moreno, and Manuela Parada, volunteered along with their instructor last month as a part of their study into psychological disorders.
The students then reported their findings for the HCC Service Learning Program.
The students met on July 5 the church to take part in the Meals That Heal Program and the HIV/AIDS Outreach Program. One-third of St. John’s membership has been, or is currently, homeless.
The church serves 7,000 hot meals each month to homeless men and women.
The team’s work included setting tables, serving food plates and beverages and cleaning up. Their assistance with the HIV/AIDS Outreach consisted of staffing a counseling and HIV/AIDS testing fair.
Impressions from the students were varied.
Daniel Barrientos, a first-time community volunteer, said he enjoyed the experience, met nice people, learned about HIV/AIDS and felt good about helping others. Dominic Kiarie had mixed feelings after working with the HIV/AIDS patients because he felt sorry for those who received positive results and relieved for those who received negative results.
Manny Moreno participated in the group talk preceding every meal and said he identified traits of learned helplessness. He noted that the homeless are stereotyped as being threatening.
Manuel Parada learned more about the OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Testing.
The Service Learning Program at Houston Community College combines community service with academic instruction, focusing on four key areas: critical thinking and problem solving, values clarification, social and personal development and civic and community responsibility.
The college said students benefit from service learning because the curriculum they study in the classroom is made relevant to their lives. Faculty members also benefit from the partnerships they foster with community organizations.
