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| Clayton Miller (left) serves with the YMCA in Raleigh, N.C. Photo: Susan Nisly
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Welcome to the Heartland of North Carolina! The city of Raleigh is situated in the north-central
part of the state and is the political and economic
center of North Carolina. Raleigh is the state
capital and county seat of Wake County. It is
a vibrant and culturally diverse city of 250,000 residents.
Raleigh is lucky to have over 150 parks and museums.
The city is also a part of the "Triangle"
formed by Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. These
three cities form a triangle on the map and are know
for there many biotech and technology related research
companies. The "Triangle" is also
known for its many colleges and universities. There are over a dozen! Most well known of these
universities are Duke, University of North Carolina
and North Carolina State University which is located
only a couple of miles from our unit house.
These learning institutions add to the culture and
community feel of the area. Our Service Adventure
house is located in the Mordecai Historic Area a small
community only two blocks from Raleigh Mennonite Church
and 8 - 10 blocks from downtown Raleigh. Our community is varied economically, socially and
culturally and allows the household to interact with
neighbors of all backgrounds. Service Adventure
has become an active and vital part of Raleigh Mennonite
Church (RMC), which is a vibrant congregation of around
100 members. RMC founded the Service Adventure
Unit in 1997 because of its dedication to building
unity and breaking down racial and class barriers
in their community. Many church members live
in the surrounding area showing their commitment to
the community.
Building Together Ministries is an urban ministries organization whose mission is to promote and model Christian community development among Raleigh's low resource neighbors. Opportunities include:
- Teacher Assistant
Playing Together Preschool is an affordable half-day program for low income families to prepare their children for kindergarten. The assistant helps in all areas of the program such as supervising learning centers, teaching activities, reading stories, serving lunch, outdoor play, modeling positive behavior in the classroom, and helping build strong social skills.
Growing Together Preschool is a free half-day early childhood education program for three and four year olds living in the Walnut Terrace public housing community in Raleigh, N.C. Its goal is to assist preschoolers in developing appropriate social skills and reading readiness skills in order to prepare them for success in kindergarten.
- Teacher Assistant
The assistant helps the teacher in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips. Specific in-class tasks include setting up the room, reading to the children, supervising learning centers, leading circle time activities, and serving lunch.
The participant has the option of combining the following Habitat assignments.
- Construction Assistant
Participant works with the local Habitat construction crews to build new affordable housing for qualifying people with low incomes. Some construction experience is helpful.
- Deconstruction Assistant
Participant works on a deconstruction team to salvage usable materials from homes slated for demolition to be reused or sold at the ReUse Center. No previous construction experience is required.
- ReUse Center Assistant
Participant works at the Habitat warehouse recycling used construction materials for sale to the public. Responsibilities include unloading, stocking, and cutting lumber.
Methodist Home for Children operates preschool and foster care programs for children.
- Jordan Center Preschool — Teacher Assistant
This is a main streaming preschool for children, infants through four years, and their families of varied income and needs. Responsibilities include assisting in the classrooms, recess and play, and other activities.
The Ten Thousand Villages store is a non-profit, fair trade, retail store that sells crafts from around the world providing a market and fair prices to the artisans. Ten Thousand Villages works with over 35 developing countries to help improve the quality of life for the artisans, their families, and their communities.
- Sales Associate
Responsibilities include greeting customers, explaining the mission of fair trade, ability to tell the stories of our products and the artisans who make the items, help customers find the items they need, and checking out customers through the register. Other responsibilities include stocking, straightening up displays and light cleaning. Customer relations and self initiative skills are a must.
Urban Ministries is a network of services that includes a health clinic, crisis intervention, food pantry, and homeless shelter. Service opportunities are numerous and can be combined. They include:
- Pharmacy Assistant
Open Door Clinic. This clinic service provides medications to homeless and lower income people. Responsibilities include working with the pharmacist, organizing the pharmacy, keeping medication inventory current, maintaining records, and providing medications to the clients. Certification as a pharmacist assistant can be earned through this placement.
- Medical Assistant
Open Door Clinic. This clinic program provides medical care to homeless and lower income people. Responsibilities include working in the clinic pharmacy, assisting medical personnel, eligibility interviewing, keeping medical records, scheduling appointments, and other administrative tasks.
- Intake Assistant
Crisis Intervention. Program provides basic services to people in crisis. Responsibilities include interviewing and assessing patients needs for financial and food assistance.
- Food Pantry Assistant
The food pantry stocks and distributes food to persons in need and works closely with crisis intervention services. Responsibilities include working with others to organize and maintain the food inventory and its distribution to the clients.
- Resource Development Assistant
This department recruits and orients volunteers, plans and coordinates special events, promotes the agency, and makes community contacts. Responsibilities include assisting the staff as needed in these tasks. Communication and computer skills are an asset.
- Homeless Services Aide — Helen Wright Center for Women
The Helen Wright Center for Women provides emergency and transitional housing, meals and support for women. Responsibilities in client services include managing the front desk, checking in residents, interacting with residents, and helping prepare the meal, serve and cleanup. This is an evening placement as the shelter opens at 4:00 pm.
The YMCA program of Raleigh offers after school care at several local elementary schools. Responsibilities include working with a team to provide recreation, homework assistance, and other activities.
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