Students from Reading’s Northwest Middle School’s life skills program are helping to fight hunger in an unusual way.
Students in the life skills program receive instruction to help them develop essential daily living, vocational and social skills that promote independence and self-sufficiency.
They recently took part in Youth Volunteers Corps’ annual Canstructure Contest.
The contest, run by YVC of Reading, challenges students to build creative structures out of canned goods that are then donated to fight hunger.
Northwest has participated in Canstructure for years, YVC said in a release, giving life skills students the opportunity to contribute to their community in a meaningful and hands-on way.
This year, the release said, the students’ hard work and creativity was awarded with honorable mention for best original design.
Life skills students often have fewer chances than their general education peers to engage in community-based learning experiences, making service-learning an essential tool for promoting inclusion and equity, said Megan Faust, a life skills teacher at Northwest.
Through projects like Canstructure, students develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills in real-world settings, helping to build independence and confidence, she said.
“When students with different needs are given access and the ability to participate in a supported environment, they are unstoppable,” Faust said. “I get to see their confidence and independence grow through these types of programs.”
The award is a testament to what students can achieve when given the opportunity to learn, create and serve, the YVC said.
Lindsay Sites, YVC of Reading program director, witnessed the impact firsthand.
“I had the pleasure of doing a site visit at Northwest,” Sites said, “and got to see these students in action. They were so happy and excited, and the teamwork was unbelievable. I left feeling so inspired and thinking that we need to do more to bring these opportunities to life skills students.”
YVC uses a service-learning model in all facets of its programming, ensuring that every volunteer opportunity is designed to teach valuable skills, promote social responsibility and directly impact the community.
This model fosters a sense of civic engagement and responsibility among participants while also providing them with real-world skills they can apply in the future, the release said.
Service learning can enhance social and vocational skills, improve self-advocacy and motivation and increase long-term engagement. It also helps students develop communication, leadership and teamwork skills, improves academic outcomes and fosters civic responsibility.
By incorporating service learning into life skills education, the YVC said, schools can provide students with the real-world experiences they need to prepare for future employment, independent living and active participation in their communities.
Source: Berkshire mont