>> FIELD TRIP
The Life Enrichment Center (LEC) hosted its annual Alternative Spring Break at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island earlier this April.
LEC individuals, staff, interns, Pi Kappa Alpha volunteers, and Georgia College & State University exercise science major practicum students attended the spring break. Everyone was ‘buddied’ off to be able to work together throughout the week.
From community service to free-time, Alternative Spring Break’s goal was to create a bond and work with the local community during their stay.
“To be able to watch relationships develop and see everyone become comfortable with each other is invaluable. Our individuals are able to feel valued by these experiences. As they say, “you know you are valued when someone misses you” and that missing feeling goes both ways,” said Barbara Coleman, executive director of the Life Enrichment Center. “They value each other, their buddies, the community they interact with and so much more and these relationships and interactions are what make them feel valued and missed by their new friends.”
Alternative Spring Break began before COVID but was put on a halt during the pandemic. Last year was the event’s official return and this year’s trip saw the event grow with the inclusion of GCSU’s practicum students.
“We established a partnership with the exercise science majors to allow practicum students to work with the Life Enrichment Center during activities and events. It’s a wonderful experience for our individuals to interact with them and for the practicum students, it builds their education, their mentorship and leadership, and it builds a community,” said Coleman. “The goal of the Life Enrichment Center is to make everyone feel included and get rid of the boundaries that divide our individuals with the wider community.”
For these students, this was their first time interacting with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Many of the students expressed that the trip overall was not just a learning experience for them but also for their buddies.
Practicum student Katie Payne was buddies with Nancy Williams.
According to her, Williams came out of her shell more and more during the trip as they bonded. As the days went by, Payne reminisced on all the time they spent together and how their dynamic continued to change.
“Nancy had the most fun during the beach clean-up. She really enjoyed the environment and we had a lot of fun together,” said Payne. “It was also really special to see our bond grow too as we celebrated her birthday and I got to learn so much more about who she is and her interests.”
Practicum student Kate Shade was buddies with Selena Wiggins and stated that the most memorable part of the trip for her was working at a food bank. She expressed how meaningful it was to socialize with everyone and to see how her buddy and the other individuals interacted and assisted each person.
“The food bank was really cool because we got to meet people in the community and interact personally with them,” said Shade. “It was amazing to see the amount of empathy and the desire to help that everyone showed. It is definitely one of my favorite memories of the trip.”
Practicum student Arianna Bridgett was so inspired by the experience that she will be an intern for the Life Enrichment Center next fall semester.
“It was so cool to see everyone out of their element and create a community,” said Bridgett. “I want to be a part of that goal next fall and to continue to grow the relationships I established during this trip.”
According to Coleman, the experience was also rich for the LEC’s individuals. Many of them came “out of their shell” and made memories that will last a lifetime.
“The bonds built over this week will be something they talk about for a long time. They felt like a true friend group and had a safe space that they aren’t used to which will make it memorable for them,” said Coleman.
“And their hearts only continue to grow in their desire to help others and build those bonds.
Our individuals love community service and love interacting with the community just as everyone does.”
While Alternative Spring Break may be over, the memories and impact of the experience will continue to build a community between the LEC and surrounding counties. Whether it be in Milledgeville or by the sea at St. Simon’s, people will continue to learn more about developmental and intellectual disabilities and how these individuals are no different than anyone else.