The uniqueness of volunteering with the Mission Hill After School Program (MHASP) is that there is no such thing as a typical day at our program. Working with a group of vivacious, independently-minded, and smart kids means that you never quite know what you’re going to find when you walk in the door. This is particularly true for my Blue Groupers, students I work with in the 11-12 age bracket. Good or bad days (but mostly good), there are always surprises in store.
MHASP divides our students into five color groups, based on age: Red (5-7), Green (8-9), Orange (10-11), my Blue Groupers, and Teen (12-14). While all groups share the same overall structure, each does independent, age-appropriate activities. Most of the older groups spend the majority of their time working on homework, while the younger students have more time for what we call ‘Curriculum’. Curriculum is a set of activities based on a weekly theme that we lead for our students if they have no other work. It ranges from letter-writing and cultural appreciation, to learning about nature. Within these established parameters, a little spontaneity and a lot of fun always ensues!
Each group has four students (counselors) who devise a curriculum, manage the classroom, and have the final say on everything from who gets to draw on the board to behavior issues. Our counselors are a fantastic group, drawn from Wellesley, Harvard and Wentworth Institute of Technology, and they work incredibly hard to make sure that this program is successful. Without their dedication, our program would not be half of what it is. Another great facet of volunteering with MHASP is that we have the opportunity to get outside the “Wellesley bubble” while working with college students from other the schools.
When I asked these counselors about their most memorable experiences, one from Wellesley shared a story that says a lot about MHASP and its aspirations. This counselor has been working with the teen group, which can be challenging at times. A few weeks ago, the teen group’s curriculum was all about self-image. Students watched short videos on the hyper masculinity in hip-hop and advertisements with photo-shopped and manipulated images. Going in, the counselors felt strongly about instilling the importance of confidence, something particularly difficult during preteen years. It turned out that their girls’ confidence levels went through the roof! (Although they did still all have crushes on Justin Bieber). The counselor I spoke to described how much she enjoys working with this age group because she has the privilege of watching these kids turn into smart, talented and confident adults. One couldn’t ask for a better reward for the afternoons we spend at volunteering with this program.
MHASP has information sessions at the beginning of each semester, and we are always looking for new counselors. Please contact shuang@wellesley.edu if you are interested in learning more!
-Becca Lucas ’14