In second quarter the fourth graders explore different areas of need in the community. They learn about the issues people face and the organizations that are trying to help. Then they complete a project of their own to help. Read below about the different service projects our fourth graders completed this year.
Foster Care 2 Success By Dhruv, Ethan, Evelyn, Zooey
People who age out of foster care often do not have enough resources to support their own life. Former foster youth face challenges like: managing health, finding and keeping a job, going to college, and finding a home. People end up in foster care because their parents have problems like having serious problems with alcohol and drugs, physically hurting someone, hospitalization, and mental health problems. One you turn 21 you age out of the foster care system and if you weren’t adopted, you often don’t have a family network to support you as a young adult.
Foster Care 2 Success gives aged out foster care adults resources, training, tuition grants, and textbook money. They also provide stipends, emergency funding, care packages, academic coaches, and mentors. Finally, they provide internships and apprentice opportunities.
Our group made red scarves for Foster Care 2 Success. These scarves will be given to adults aging out of the foster care system on Valentine’s Day. We made them by finger crocheting and they symbolize that we can help and that we care.
Operation Gratitude By Gemma, Taya, Van and Ruben
The military and the first responders do not receive enough gratitude. They should have received great medical care for their physical and mental needs. Their salary should be raised because they deserve more consideration for what they are doing. For example, when the soldiers came back from the Vietnam War they did not get enough appreciation from the people they fought for. When they came back, often other people were going to the war too.
The organization called Operation Gratitude addresses the problem by making paracord lanyards for military and first responders. They also send care packages which contain the paracord lanyards, candy, gum and other snacks.
We made paracord lanyards to help those in the military. If they needed to make something quickly they could whip out the paracord and make something with it. For example, a sling, shelter, or to hold an IV bag.
College Park Community Food Bank By Ela Rose, Lucy, Calvin, and Sammy
Many people struggle with food insecurity. Food insecurity is when people can't access food, especially healthy and nutritious food. This is because of many factors including food deserts, racial disparities and discrimination, disabilities, unreliable food sources, and jobs that don’t pay enough. Not having enough food can lead to nausea, headaches, sickness, and starvation. Also, it can affect people’s moods and enjoyment of life. Sadly, Black and Latino people are more likely to be food insecure due to discrimination and racism.
College Park Community Food Bank helps this issue by giving the community healthy, nutritious food such as rice, beans, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables. They run food drives to collect food to give out to those in need.
Our group made posters and donation boxes to run a drive at our school. Families at our school brought in a whole carload of food to donate. We hope the extra food Silver Oaks donates helps those in need. We are collecting essential food and informing our community. Please consider donating to the College Park Community Food Bank on your own sometime.