Indianapolis going up on a Tuesday!

Today was our second day at the Warren Early Childhood Center and we were all able to spend three hours with one class. We had so much fun learning and playing with these pre-schoolers again today. We were more comfortable than we were yesterday and we were so excited to return to the school this morning!

In one classroom, students rotated throughout four stations. These stations consisted of coloring, painting, dress up and playing with kinetic sand. In another classroom, students practiced writing their names, playing with playdoh, and read a book "Froggy gets a Doggy". Play was very emphasized throughout the day as it had been yesterday, however, the students were still actively learning. This school is an integrated school that mixes students with and without developmental delays or other disabilities in one classroom. Today it was likely that we were in integrated classes, but many us felt as if we were not because you could not tell which students had disabilities. All of the students were involved in the lessons and they were all treated the same by teachers as well as other classmates.


We all enjoyed playing outside at recess with these children at the playground. This time allowed for us to talk more with the students and get to know them.

Today was our first day with our last but not least community partner, the Hollis Adams Foundation. Our day with them was full of service and friendship. We met those from the Hollis Adams Foundation at the Westminster Family and Child Center and did service together. The Westminster Family and Child Center provides resources for many different people throughout the area, including the homeless. Today we packed care packages for the homeless to be distributed this month with Hollis Adams. These care packages included crackers, lollipops, personal hygiene items (in tennis ball containers - how cool!), meals, soap, and even more. It was great to be serving with Hollis Adams and it truly showed that we were more alike than different. Disability activist Robert M. Hensel said "There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more."

After our day of service with Hollis Adams was complete, we were able to visit them! We spent the afternoon coloring, playing Uno, and more. It was great to meet more of the folks at Hollis Adams and to talk with them. They were such a fun and energetic group of people and we cannot wait to see them again Thursday! We cannot wait to continue our learning and service together and with our community partners tomorrow!