Charleston Transitional Facility (CTF)

Located on 1821 12th Street is a Cila (group home) that is apart of a company (Charleston Transitional Facility) that branches off different companies that fund daily programs and living situations for individuals with mental disabilities. The Cila is there to support individuals with developmental disabilities by providing training an treatment in the areas of self-care, communication, self-direction, independent living, mobility, and learning as directed by individual service plans and federal regulations. The reasoning behind such an organization is to provide the highest quality of service in order to enhance each individual's skill development, health, freedom, and personal dignity. 

         After volunteering here the ways that it relate to this current class of FCS is that I was able to see the life that many live who have disabilities. This Cila I was able to see that help individuals was able to get just because of the company CTF. After learning in class how hard it is living in poverty and the things that many others may attend to go through I have seen and was able to help some that were going through it. This is something that many did not have a choice of living.

            When participating in this volunteer work the network between the “professionals” wasn’t as complicated as I thought. A lot of the “professional” or workers there were people I seem to associate myself with on the daily basis. It just seemed to surprise me the tone that was set the moment you walk in the door. At any second the tone can change from loud and busy to smooth and quiet. What I was able to really get from the workers or DSPs (direct service personnel) were how attached and connected they were to each individual. The way the DSP networked and communicated with each individual was on a level that couldn’t be described in words. The experience itself humbled me as a person being that I know a lot of people are not fully educated on the things that these individuals face and how most times the individuals may only have one small thing that can hinder them from being accepted in the real world. I gained not only knowledge but I gained friendship with the DSPs and individual because once I got out of my comfort zone I began to look at everyone as what they are, a person. Things got easier and my mind opened itself to the new world I was introduced to.

         The potential that the company CTF have on the community is that they are willing to help individuals and their families who are in need of help. This company takes the time out to hire many students and others who are in need of a workplace and train them to the best of their abilities, to work with individuals with a disability. Another affect that this company has on the community is they have different Cilas located in the town of Charleston. This give many people opportunities to chose a place where they may want an individual to go. Having this company empowers the community to help one another and to gain more knowledge, and care for others who families re not able to either afford or have the time to do so.

         To conclude my volunteer summary up, I have learned that this company is great and should be located in all cities or towns. I have gained more than knowledge from doing this experience. After helping and watching the professional give the individuals treatments, cook for them and just do daily care I gained respect for the individuals that are suffering from the disability and for the professionals that are currently working at the different Cilas. Doing this volunteer work had me having thoughts of wanting to apply for a position of the company, for the fact I think I would be able to get closer to the individuals and learn more about them, and by my major being FCS I would be able to apply some of the information that I have been learning in my classes to the company. I have been able to see and learn that many people do not want to live the life that they want and that living with a disability is hard some want to live back to regular life they once had. I really did enjoy volunteering here and I would love to do it again. 

By: Jasmine Miles

Coalition for People in Need

Danielle Mader

I volunteered at the Coalition for People in Need in Charleston.  The CPN is a place where individuals in need can come for assistance in an emergency.  The Coalition provides services like giving vouchers for food and the remaining fifty dollars of rent.  There are stipulations for receiving this assistance and it has to be an emergency situation.   The Coalition also has a small pantry of everyday items like shampoo, diapers and laundry detergent.   The individual seeking services is welcomed to take 2 or 3 of these just to help them get through for a little while. 

The Coalition for People in Need directly correlates to class.  The individual’s seeking assistance are typically people who are living in poverty.  The difficulty of pulling oneself out of poverty was very apparent at the Coalition.  A lot of these individual’s would have missed rent and the money would be piling up.  Once they find a way to get enough money for rent it cannot be spent on rent that is due during the current month because they have to use to pay their debt, meanwhile the debt is continuing to pile because they couldn’t pay the current month’s rent.  It is very difficult to be able to find assistance for dire situations like this.  The coalition cannot even assist with rent when the individual has back payments. 

When I interacted with the other volunteers it allowed me to network and get my name out to people who are affiliated with human service organizations.  I gained insight from the other volunteers about what to expect from work in the human services field and some of the difficulties that they have accounted in their professional careers and through their volunteer experiences. 

The affect that the Coalition for People in Need has on the community is quite positive.  The Coalition may not reach everyone who is in need in the community,  but it has a good effect on those it serves.  The CPN helps the community by providing assistance to people who are in urgent need of assistance just to make it through the next couple days.  I have no doubt that the Coalition has helped individual’s avoid homelessness. 

I enjoyed my time volunteering at the Coalition.  It made me happy to be able to give assistance to people when they are in a really scary place.  Not having enough money is terrifying, and when it involves children it is even more terrifying.  Working here just reiterated the point that you never know who is in need, need is not always visible.  People struggle with finances for a variety of reasons, most of which are out of their control.  Some people may never need assistance, some might have a crisis once in their life when they have to get help, and for others this might be a regular routine.  Never judge someone who you don’t know. 

Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services 

I chose to volunteer at the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services (SACIS), which is located in the basement of Lawson Hall.  SACIS is an organization built for the victims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment.  They offer many services including counseling, advocacy, information, and referrals.  Not only are these services offered to victim, but also their family, friends, and anyone close to the victim. 

While I was volunteering, I helped SACIS redecorate their bulletin board.  The bulletin board is important because it is where people can look for interesting facts and general information about sexual assault.  SACIS had asked us (a couple other volunteers and I) to go to the Instructional Technology Center in Buzzard Hall to make some letters and cool designs for the bulletin board.  On my second day SACIS had asked us to look up some current statistics about sexual assault.  After we did that we printed some and made them look good so we could put them on the bulletin board.

SACIS has a huge impact on the community.  They are very good at making sure sexual assault victims know that they are not alone.  They are always there for the victims to talk to and confide in.  They also give information to the general public about sexual assault.  Even if someone is not a victim themselves, it is still important to know about sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment because they can learn some of the warning signs. 

I really enjoyed volunteering for SACIS.  It was a great way to meet new people, and to learn about the organization.  I will definitely volunteer for them again; I gave them my email address so they can email me about future volunteer opportunities.  Volunteering for SACIS is a great thing to do because it shows victims of sexual assault that there are lot of people that care and that are here for them.   

- Hannah Link