For my capstone project I chose to work with the non-profit organization Women’s and Children\u27s Alliance in Boise, Idaho. I worked with the community to provide much needed items. In order to collect donations I reached out to the community and received so much support that we were able to provide help to two other non-profit organizations the City of Lights, and Dress for Success. I was able to help organize my community to come together and provide a service to the more vulnerable in our community

Wright, Rochelle A.

English

Boise State University - ScholarWorks

Boise State University ScholarWorks MDS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects Student Research Fall 2021 Serving Synergy: A Service-Learning Capstone Rochelle A. Wright Boise State University Running head: SERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE- LEARNING CAPSTONE 1Serving Synergy: A Service- Learning CapstoneRochelle A. WrightBoise State UniversityAuthor NoteRochelle A. Wright, Multidisciplinary Studies 495, Boise State Universityrochellepoole@u.boisestate.eduSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE2AbstractFor my capstone project I chose to work with the non-profit organization Women’s andChildren's Alliance in Boise, Idaho. I worked with the community to provide much needed items.In order to collect donations I reached out to the community and received so much support thatwe were able to provide help to two other non-profit organizations the City of Lights, and Dressfor Success. I was able to help organize my community to come together and provide a service tothe more vulnerable in our community.Keywords: Non-Profit Organization, Community, ServiceSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE3Introduction to your Capstone ProjectMy capstone is about providing needs to the more vulnerable in our community. I choseto focus on the Women’s and Children's Alliance. In reaching out to the community for help Ireceived so many donations that I was able to donate to two other organizations the City ofLights, and Dress for Success. My capstone project was a great success. I was able to collectmost of the items given to me by the Women’s and Children’s Alliance and help two otherorganizations at the same time. It was a lot of time and work put in but I felt accomplished as Idrove up to turn in everything.Section 1: Innovative ApproachFor my capstone project I worked with the Women and Children’s Alliance. I was given alist of items that they need/ want. I felt excited to help people struggling within my community.The Women and Children’s Alliance helps provide a safe haven for sexually or physically abusedwomen and families. They also provide needs and wants for these individuals since mostindividuals show up with nothing.I was hoping to gather most of the items provided on the list but nervous that theorganization only accepts new items. The alliance works with two other non-profit organizationsthat will take any items new or used. So, I was excited to discover nothing would go to waste. Iwas hoping to bring together different members of the community to donate for a good cause. Inbringing awareness to the needs of those that surround us I hoped to unite some of thecommunity. My capstone project depended on the community coming together.My original approach is innovative in the sense that I used newer technology applicationsSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE4to reach the community. I took taking advantage of neighborhood social networks that I hadnoticed more of our community using since Covid. I knew that this would be a fast way to reachmultiple outlets. I was also hoping to go out in the community to grocery stores and make iteasier for people to directly get the items my organization needs. I also utilized connections Ihave to get the word out.The approach of getting out into the community and setting up a table at grocery storeswas not working out. Covid has made options out in public more limited. So I went back andreached out to the community on the Nextdoor app. I said I would come to them and do the frontdoor pick up. It changed everything. People were contacting me consistently and it was very timeconsuming but ultimately worth it.Section 2: Emotional IntelligenceThe project that I completed has brought me some awareness that I am a go-getter. I havehad to change plans around to meet up with some of my audience but I did. I have realized thatword of mouth was a great resource for me. I feel a sense of achievement that I made as muchprogress as I did. I had hoped with my original game plan that Covid would have relaxed by thistime, I was wrong apparently. It has brought me an awareness that my community still wants toserve how they can. Covid has made life more limiting but it has not made us forget that peoplestill need help. I wanted my organization to get everything they need.My approach absolutely considered the emotional intelligence of my audience because Isaw results. I was transparent with my audience about what the WCA is and how important theirdonations are. I had to change my approach in order to reach my target audience in a more tactfulSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE5way. I knew that the holidays were coming and I feel like it brings out the feeling of love for thecommunity. I think that this time of year was perfect to ask for people to help families orindividuals who have fallen on hard times. We also feel good about ourselves when we can helppeople. When we can acknowledge that an extra dollar might help someone more than ourselves,or that the food in our pantry could fill someone else's belly, and how we might not really needall the clothes or toys we have sitting around.I know that this could be valuable to people in a few different ways. Making peopleaware of what ways to reach out and help others. I also think that being aware of what peoplelike to donate the most is valuable. I have noticed used clothing is one that people have noproblem with, new clothes not so much. I had people with extra hygiene products, we all haveunused deodorant or toothpaste in our closets. Hygiene items are typically on hand items andpeople wanted to help so they just put it on their porch and I’d come and get it. I am aware withthe approach I took I wouldn’t get cash donations. I feel that my approach and what was donatedwill be the biggest value to people.Section 3: Creative ThinkingIn order to draw on my creative framework I relied on past experiences. I really wantedto be able to touch my audience so they would want to help. Covid is still making public reachand everyday activities restrictive. I know that the internet can play an amazing role in reachingthe community. I used an application called Nextdoor to reach the community. I also usedconnections whether it was my mom’s church email group, or reaching out to my family andfriends. Women and children are a soft spot for people we want to help those in need butSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE6especially women and children. That’s the reason in advertisements about helping people in thirdworld countries we are seeing mostly children and some women. We recognize the mostvulnerable and we want to help. I listed reasons why to donate, I talked about why my chosenorganization should be supported, and I listed the essential needs provided to me by the Women’sand Children’s Alliance. The responses and items I have received have been wonderful. Even ifpeople didn’t have new, they wanted to donate what they could.In my opinion my approach is unique because I personally had to write to every personinterested in donating or that had questions back and plan to meet with them. I had to contact andplan with each person that donated. There was no middle man on a single donation. I usedconnections I had as mentioned earlier but everyone would contact me back and I would speakwith them. This took up a lot of time and I had to be diligent but I enjoyed that everyone got athank you and was treated professionally because they do deserve a thank you for helping outpeople who have fallen on hard times.Section 4: Your Innovative SolutionMy project was to work with the Women’s and Children’s Alliance and collect donations.I was given a list of items needed the most and information on ways to donate. The outcome Iwas hoping for was to meet most of the things on the list. I planned to do tables outside of FredMeyer and Walmart in order to collect donations. I was also going to use some people’sconnections such as church groups to get the word out. I realized very quickly that due to Covidrestrictions made my original plan more limiting. I decided to just utilize social media becausecompanies have too many restrictions or weren’t getting back to me. I used word of mouth, andSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE7the Nextdoor application for reaching people. Everyone mostly wanted to do front door pick upand that worked for me. I liked it in the sense that it made it more personal but it was a lot. I feelI showed innovation by adapting to my circumstance as I mentioned above and still beingsuccessful.I feel that my ability to adapt to the situation shows innovation. I had to reach myaudience during a time when social settings are so restrictive. I had to really go out of my way tospread the word. I knew that people were still socializing online and I really had to make ithappen anyway that I could.If I had more time, I would’ve reached out to grocery chains and asked for donations. Ialso would’ve liked to have it put in my daughters' school emails sent out weekly. I have seensome stuff like this put in them before. Those were the only other things I had thought of.Section 5: ResultsMy stakeholders were able to receive much needed new items. The Women’s andChildren’s Alliance runs off of donations. Without the benefit of donations this organizationcouldn’t function. The ability to give vulnerable individuals new items I feel shows that theyhave support. They are not unknown by the community around them. The items aren’t used andpeople decide they're done with them. The items have tags or are in boxes. There is a differentfeeling of getting something new versus something used. It shows they have worth and deserve anew and fresh start. The WCA’s theme is butterflies and they talk about how a butterflytransforms and we don’t realize everything that it has gone through to become a butterfly. Thesymbolism behind this is what I mean by a fresh start. To come out of a dark place and to beSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE8something beautiful that the world loves.  My stakeholders are not only usually arriving withnothing but they are seeking refuge. New toothbrushes, jeans, shoes, coats, books, pots and pans,soap, and anything else should be the last thing that these individuals have to worry about. Thecommunity is softening their hardship and in return we create a more unified community.The impact of my project was positive. I was able to collect a few baby shampoos,conditioners, bottles, formulas, 1 electrical toothbrush, shaving cream, 2 purses, 1 woman’s hat,3 kid’s shirts, 1 pair of women’s shoes, 2 kids pant, 8 women’s shirts, 1 bra, 2 women’s jackets, 1adult dress, and 1 pair of shorts. I feel my impact was a positive one because the women thattook the items thanked me several times and gave me a bookmark.I also collected numerous items for the City of Lights and Dress for Success. Dress forSuccess depends on work attire clothing for the needy who are applying for jobs. Withoutdonations they could not provide professional clothing and accessories such as jewelry, purses,and shoes. City of Lights depends on donations of every kind for needy families. I made sureevery item I received from the public was quality. I checked for stains, holes, and made sure thefabric wasn't thin or overly worn. Since my main focus was the WCA I was only reaching out tothe public for what the WCA asked for. I loved that people wanted to donate even if they didn'thave new items to give so it was nice to be able to give to more than one organization. I didn’tcount everything for those two organizations but I did take photos of it all. I was amazed witheverything collected.Section 6: Different ApproachesThere are a few approaches I could’ve taken for different results. I could have reachedSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE9out to grocery stores for donations. I don’t know if they would’ve helped to be honest but younever know. One idea I had thought of early on was putting posters in businesses or money jars.It’s hard to really know what is going to produce the best results. I was in a time crunch and I feltstrongly that the easier I made it for my audience the more donations I would get. Looking backit would’ve saved me time to do the donation jars but then again I don’t know if I would’vegotten better results.I didn’t have a lot of expectations going into it. I knew I was just  going to execute mygame plan and hope for the best. I tweaked things as needed and tried my best to collect what Icould. I feel that overall my results were very positive. The bed of my truck was full and I felt asense of accomplishment knowing that I had gathered that many donations in such a shortamount of time.Ideally, I would’ve liked to collect more items for the Womens and Childrens Alliance. Iwould’ve liked to have collected more bras and womens jeans. Those were the two items that shesaid they always needed. When I posted about my project I added every way to donate to theWCA including their Amazon wishlist link. There were a few questions about what items wereneeded the most. There was no way for me to track what was purchased in connection with me.I’d like to think there were more items than I brought in that were donated through that wishlist.Section 7:  ConclusionI learned that if your first plan doesn't work out, that going back to the drawing boarddoesn't mean you failed. I learned an appreciation for certain things I have in my life. I havenever had to wonder how I was going to cloth my daughter or lived in fear of someone hurtingSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE10her or I. Becoming aware that there were multiple ways to accomplish my goal even if it meantmore effort was a good learning moment for me. I had to decide how much this project reallymeant to me personally or if I just wanted to wing it. I learned more about myself than anythingelse to be honest. I became aware of not only the worldly blessings but support I have received inmy life. As a single mom who has a backstory as we all do, I became more aware of how peoplein my family came to the aid of my daughter and I. I never didn’t have a place to stay, I alwaysknew that my daughter and I would be cared for by more than one person if it was needed. Whata wonderful feeling to know when things don’t turn out that you are not alone in the attempt torebuild your life.I believe the WCA benefited because they got a lot of donations. I also believe that thecommunity benefited because they got to help vulnerable members of the community. Peopleneeded coats, shoes, hygiene products, masks, and children needed all these items also. I hadmultiple people say they’ve been wondering where to donate their goods or that they weregrateful the items were going to be used where needed. I would like to think that all involvedbenefited in some way, especially my stakeholders.I acquired better time management skills. I had to contact people back who wanted todonate in a timely manner, I had to arrange time to go pick up items, I had to go through all theitems and sort what was going where or what was trash, and then I had to organize a time to goSERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE11visit the three different organizations and turn it all in. My brainstorming skills or ability to adaptto change of plans increased.SERVING SYNERGY: A SERVICE LEARNING CAPSTONE12ReferencesWomen’s and Children’s Alliance. (2021). https://www.wcaboise.org/. Homepage. WCA.Boise Rescue Mission Ministries. (2021). https://boiserm.org/facilities/city-light/. Women's &Children's Shelter Boise ID: City Light: BRMM.Boise Valley | Dress for Success Boise Valley. (2021). https://boisevalley.dressforsuccess.org/.We brighten the lives of women across the world.

Serving Synergy: A Service-Learning Capstone

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Serving Synergy: A Service-Learning Capstone

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