"WANTED: Adventurers For Exploration Of LiteraryLand"

Whenever we're forced to perform a task, who actually wants to go through with it? This is especially true when it comes to homework; and moreover, reading in general.  Its no wonder so many kids are opposed to reading when all they know are the textbooks and somewhat "boring material" chosen for them, and lacking  encouragement to find something they're interested in learning about.

We often hear the phrase: "Kids are the future," but how many of us take action to be involved in their education and overall enrichment as a person in our society?  There is so much more to life than reading for class, and too many students remain unaware of this.  They are not encouraged to evolve their perceptions of reading to just how exciting it can be!  You can be anyone, go anywhere, and do just about anything while escaping into an enchanting tale. 

Many parents, teachers, siblings, and friends try to emphasize the importance of reading by incorporating other forms of art, and using the idea of group projects.  There is always room for new ideas to make books come alive for children, even if that means just being a "reading buddy" and acting out the various voices in the book.  Kids need the help of those close to their age (that means us, my fellow Grizzlies) to guide them down the useful path of literature.  So join me, find some time to devote to an excellent and rewarding cause...enriching our future generations!  I can almost guarantee you will get back more than you give.  And who wouldn't want the chance to be a kid again and read kid's or young adult books?!

Here's an idea to get the ball rollin': 
Youth Services at The Baldwin Center in Pontiac, MI.

~ Alexis

Using Your Precious Time Wisely:

My recent visit to The Baldwin Center in Pontiac, Michigan was an enlightening and powerful experience.  The soup kitchen, clothing center, laundry station, enrichment programed, and all around safe and compassionate help center is an amazing location for people to go to when they are struggling to survive.  The Baldwin Center is a wonderful place for people in need to find salvation, and also a great place to give back to our less fortunate neighbors.  It is prodigious that the workers and volunteers at this center help between 200-500 people/meals served daily, depending on the time of year.  What an inspiring facility.

Although I was expecting a slightly different form of volunteer work, this trip was still very meaningful.  We were responsible for cleaning up and organizing the future self-pick pantry that the center will be offering to residents.  The only difference was I was assuming we would be working with the people of the community in some way, which I expected would be quite difficult.  Though I have seen and experienced many saddening and heart-wrenching situations, it is never easy to watch someone that is struggling; but I would be more than willing to volunteer and help them in any way I could. 

The overall experience at The Baldwin Center was a very compelling and influential exposure to the needs to others, that tend to go overlooked by many; including myself.  Although I may not be able to donate money to this center, I could most definitely find the time to contribute in another way, and this trip to the center has convinced me that not only do I need to do so, but I want to as well. 

 ~ Alexis