Anna Iovinelli

Today, due to the rain, we had our free time in the gym. I bounced around to different kids and talked to them. I sat with Harleigh and colored with her for a little bit. She was making a drawing for her school teacher, and she wanted help coloring in the hearts. It was neat getting to hear about her school and all of her friends and teachers. Afterwards, we had reading time, and I read with Chase. He had rented a book from the library that he wanted to read to him. We worked together to start sounding out words, and the helped me read the book. Afterwards, we had our STEM activity, and I worked with Chase. I have really enjoyed getting to know Chase. With some help during the STEM activities, I have seen him use his creativity to make his projects. Its very rewarding to see the kids grow.

This week, we started by spending 30 minutes outside on the playground. I played soccer with some of the kids, and then we went inside for reading time. Xena asked me to read with, and we went through 3 different books. Xena is a very strong reader and likes to read the books out loud. Coming in every week and seeing Xena has been one of my favorite part of the weeks. I have gotten closer with some of kids, and it always makes my day when they're excited to see me. Afterwards, we had a STEM activity. I sat and worked with Chloe and Chase. During the STEM activities, I usually work with them. Afterwards, I went to the computer lab and watched the kids play on the computers. It was fun getting to see all the different games they enjoyed playing.

This week was a little bit different. Instead of doing a STEM activity, the kids were getting ready to go on a field trip to the Arkansas women's soccer game. We started off by having fun time, which included us going outside for a little bit and playing in the gym. We skipped reading time this week because we had ordered pizza for the kids to eat before the game. I helped serve pizza to the kids and pass out cupcakes. Afterwards, we lined to kids up to get on the bus, and they left for the soccer game.

As usual, we started by spending thirty minutes outside playing with the kids. I jumped in and started throwing the football with TJ and one of the other volunteers. This week, we had a guest reader come in to read to the kids. It was one of our city councilmen. The kids were super excited to have someone new come and read to them. Afterwards, we worked on a STEM activity, and I colored with some of the kids. I worked with Chase again, and it was cool getting to see some of the kids becoming more comfortable with me. Chase has been one of my favorite kids getting to work with.

Volunteered as a shelter Saturday ambassador!

This week, some of the kids went outside and some stayed inside. I went back and forth between the two. Some of the older kids at the YRCC taught me how to play 4 square. It was a lot of fun! Afterwards, we got ready for reading time. This week, Xena asked me to read with her. Xena loves to write her own books. She was currently writing a book about a young girl going to school. She drew some pretty pictures to go along with her story. After reading time, we did a STEM activity. This week, we had to make a rocket ship. Chase asked me to work with him. We started by drawing a picture to plan, and then we started to work on it. We got our rocket ship to fly in the air!

Today, we started by spending 30 minutes outside with the kids. I met some of the other volunteers and students doing internships at the YRCC. We played outside and threw the football. Afterwards, we came in for reading time. This week, we had special guest readers. Some of the players from the softball team came to read with the kids. The volunteers were also matched with some of the kids to help them read. This week, I read with Austin. He is one of the older kids, but sometimes has a harder time reading. He picked out the book The Lorax, and we read it together. I helped him sound out the words and he did a great job.

Yay pi phi 5k!

This week at the YRCC, we started by going outside for thirty minutes with the kids. We played on the playground, threw the football, and played soccer. Afterwards we went inside for reading time. One of the little girls, Harleigh asked me to read with her. We grabbed some blocks from the imagination playground to sit on and read Junie B Jones. She loved all the pictures in the book. Afterwards, some of the students from the University's engineering program came to do a STEM activity with the older kids. I sat down with Chloe and we made a tower together using newspapers. Afterwards, we measured who had the tallest tower and ours won.

This was my first day volunteering with the Yvonne Richardson Community Center. Right as I walked in, they were lining all of the kids up to go on a field trip. We hopped on the bus and went to the Arcade off of College. They rented out the whole arcade for 2 hours, and the kids has an absolute blast. I had another student from class with me volunteering for the first time too. We met some of the kids and got to know them. We quickly became friends with one of the young girls, Xena. She played PacMan with us, mortal combat and more. It was a lot of fun getting to meet the kids.