IB community project

IB Community Project

2022-2023

Supporting communities with Austin Allies

Sebastian Silva Sotillo

start

What is a Community Project?

It refers to all the endeavors that are focused on meeting the critical requirements of a community.

The community project provides students with an opportunity to cultivate an understanding of the needs in diverse communities and address those needs through service learning.

Why support Austin Allies?

They have simplified the process of connecting families with meaningful volunteer opportunities by supporting nonprofit organizations and the individuals they serve.

By collaborating with more than 90 nonprofit organizations, Austin Allies assist in meeting their volunteer requirements, while simultaneously educating the next generation about the significance and enjoyment of giving back.

Objectives

01

INVESTIGATING

• Define a clear goal based on my personal interests.
• Researching and choosing the organization.
• Knowledge and skills.

Supporting communities with Austin Allies

02

PLANNING

• Choosing the volunteer activities.
• Signing up for the activities.
• Volunteer hours.

03

TAKING ACTION

• Starting to volunteer
• Demonstrating social and communication skills.
• Achieve my goal.

04

REFLECTING

• Evaluate the results.
• Skill development.
• IB learner profile traits developed throughout the project

Explaining my process

INVESTIGATING

RESEARCHING AND CHOOSING THE ORGANIZATION

Knowledge ANd skill

DEFINE A CLEAR GOAL

I leveraged my strengths in arts and crafting to choose activities such as making posters and cards, painting rocks, drawing bags for meals, painting totes, and packing food and clothes for kids in need.

After conducting research on "community service opportunities in Austin" on Google, I selected volunteering with Austin Allies, as their vision, mission, and activities aligned with my values and interests. Specifically, I decided to volunteer from home by making art, crafting, and packing kits for kids in need.

My goal is to volunteer for a total of 15 hours starting in December 2022 until April 2023. I plan to engage in various tasks that will help me serve my community, acquire valuable experience, develop new skills, raise awareness and make a positive impact on the lives of others.

About Austin Allies

Austin Allies is a nonprofit organization that works to promote and advocate for social justice, inclusion, and equality in the Austin, Texas community. According to its website, Austin Allies seeks to create a safe and inclusive community by working with individuals and organizations to build bridges across diverse groups, promote mutual understanding and respect, and empower marginalized communities. The organization focuses on several key issues, including racial justice, and immigrant rights. Some of the specific activities and initiatives of Austin Allies include community outreach and education, policy advocacy, and organizing community events and activities that promote social justice and equity. Overall, Austin Allies is a community-driven organization that aims to create a more just and equitable society by working to address systemic issues and promote positive change in the Austin community.

Explaining my process

PLANNING

CHOOSING THE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

SIGNING UP FOR THE ACTIVITIES

VOLUNTEER HOURS

To start, I accessed the Austin Allies calendar from their website menu, which is updated monthly with all the planned activities for each day.

To track my volunteer hours spent in each activity, I printed out a sheet provided by Austin Allies. After completing the volunteer task, I would have to submit it by email to the person in charge of signing my hours.

Once I found the activities that interested me, the next step was to sign up for them. From December 2022 through march 2023, I volunteered in a total of seven activities.After selecting a volunteer role, I started completing my assigned tasks. This included attending meetings or events, participating in outreach activities, or working on specific projects.

Explaining my process

TAKING ACTION

dEMONSTRATING SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONSKILLS

STARTING TO VOLUNTEER

ACHIEVE MY GOAL

Initially, my goal was to log 15 volunteer hours by April 2023, but I surpassed my goal and achieved a total of 45 hours and 30 minutes.Through my experience volunteering with Austin Allies, I learned that the process involves multiple steps but is ultimately rewarding. It allowed me to make a positive impact on my community and contribute to crucial social justice issues.

After choosing my volunteer role, I proceeded to complete the assigned tasks. Some of the key activities I engaged in included crafting kindness kits at home, creating welcome posters for refugees, and making Valentine's Day cards for healthcare workers.

I demonstrated both social and communication skills throughout several steps in my community project. By being able to effectively interact with others and convey my thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner.In community service, demonstrating social and communication skills is crucial in order to effectively work with others towards a common goal.

Impact Report 2022-2023

13

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

NONPROFIT PARTNERS SERVED WITH AUSTIN ALLIES

KINDNESS KITS AT HOME (20) VALENTINE'S CARDS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS(15) WELCOME POSTERS FOR REFUGEE SERVICES (5) & CARDS FOR REFUGEE SERVICES(10) HOPE TOTE DECORATIONS (5) FOR "FOR EVERY CHILD" ENCOURAGE NOTES (22) AND PACKING CLOTHES(6) FOR "FOR EVERY CHILD" PACKING MEALS(60) FOR HOPE AUSTIN FOOD PANTRY DONATE AND FILL 50 EASTER EGGS FOR" SAFE"

SAFEANY BABY CAN ONE MILLION STARS FOR EVERY CHILD HOPE AUSTIN LEAP OF JOY MEALS ON WHEELS PALS BAGS

45.5

VOLUNTEER HOURS

FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES AUSTIN ANIMAL SHELTERS GIRLS EMPOWERMENT NETWORK COMMUNITY FIRST/YMCA REFUGEE SERVICES OF TEXAS ASCENSION SETON

Explaining my process

REFLECTING

IB LEARNER PROFILE TRAITS DEVELOPED

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

EVALUATE THE RESULTS

I have been able to develop several communication skills such as active listening, empathy, respectful communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving and leadership.

Some of the IB learner profile traits I developed were being reflective, caring, inquirer, and a thinker.

Even after reaching my personal goal, I continue to volunteer with Austin Allies. It's truly remarkable to witness the positive impact we can have on so many individuals within just one hour of volunteering. By being aware of the needs within our community, we can actively engage and participate in activities that align with our interests, ultimately making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Importance of community service

Develop new skills

Build relationships

Help others

Enhance you resume

Make a difference

Thank you