On a walk along the Hudson River in the Palisades Park in New Jersey, I am incredibly grateful for all those who have traveled with me this year. Being a Good Shepherd Volunteer has been quite an adventure! (Courtesy of Celina Kim Chapman)
Editor s note:
Notes from the Field includes reports from young people volunteering in ministries of Catholic sisters. A partnership with Catholic Volunteer Network, the project began in the summer of 2015. This is Maddie s final Notes from the Field blog post.
Wickatunk, New Jersey As I write my final blog post for Global Sisters Report and approach the end of the school year at Collier High School, I reflect on the many stories I have encountered throughout my volunteer year. The Collier community has welcomed me with open arms and gifted me with its stories as I partnered with students individually in tutoring sessions and contributed to a class as an active member of a cohort.
Editor s note:
Notes from the Field includes reports from young people volunteering in ministries of Catholic sisters. A partnership with Catholic Volunteer Network, the project began in the summer of 2015.
Wickatunk, New Jersey Get out from your house, from your cave, from your car, from the place you feel safe, from the place that you are. Get out and go running, go funning, go wild, get out from your head and get growing, dear child.
This quote from children s author and illustrator Dallas Clayton has been tumbling around in my thoughts recently. I feel as though I have spent a lot of time in my head in the past few weeks, mulling over how this year of service might fit into my larger life story, preparing for the end of our school s marking period and the beginning of spring break, fixating on small annoyances or changes to my daily schedule, critiquing larger systems, mourning atrocities and injustices, engaging in self-reflection, and more. I personally find it easy
During Collier High School s remote learning days in January, I helped care for our plants and flowers by watering them every few days. (Maddie Thompson)
Wickatunk, New Jersey The smallest hint of green in a patch of thick, brown soil. The puddles of melted snow bridging across the roads. The de-layering and presence of fewer mittens, hats and puffy coats. I know spring is on her way. Even if the cold, the snow and the time indoors persist, I
know spring is on her way.
At Collier High School, like many places around the world, multiple winter snowstorms rolled through recently and adjusted plans. We switched to remote-learning days when the roads were too icy for buses to caravan our students to campus. While we were able to band together and continue lessons over Zoom, the inconsistency and instability of what the next day would bring wore on staff and students alike.
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The Collier Transition Program is housed in the solar building on Collier High School s campus in Wickatunk, New Jersey. (Maddie Thompson)
Editor s note: Notes from the Field includes reports from young people volunteering in ministries of Catholic sisters. A partnership with Catholic Volunteer Network, the project began in the summer of 2015.
Wickatunk, New Jersey Down the hill is a phrase I frequently use to distinguish my work as a volunteer in Collier High School and in the Collier Transition Program.
Collier High School is a state-approved, private, nonprofit school for students with disabilities whose needs cannot be met within the public school system. A strong academic program and social services department work together to provide students with an environment for social and emotional growth. Collier provides small classes, serving students of all levels of academic ability and a wide range of IQs. Students with symptoms of depression, anxiety, is