By Kelsey Mobbs/reporter
Students in Cindy Baw’s English classes and Lori Fowler’s sociology classes also learn outside the classroom.
Each year the NE Campus faculty members Baw, an assistant professor, and Fowler, an associate professor, said they encourage students to help the community by volunteering with the Christmas Adopt-A-Family program through Alliance For Children.
Baw said Christmas Adopt-A-Family is a great opportunity to help improve others’ lives, and students should try to get out of their comfort zone. This year, the teachers and their students are again helping more than 100 children.
About Alliance for Children
Alliance for Children, the Tarrant County Children’s Advocacy Center program, began serving abused children in 1992. More than 22,000 children have benefited from Alliance for Children’s coordinated approach, according to its Web site.
Child Protective Services, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office, Cook Children’s Medical Center and 14 local law enforcements agencies coordinate with Alliance for Children to reach out to abused children and their families.
Child abuse professionals and community members have teamed to provide these services in the child-friendly environment.
About Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program
Alliance for Children helps hundreds of children and their families during holidays, providing clothing, shoes and toys. Family sizes vary from two to 12 or more members.
Baw and Fowler start preparation in the fall. They collect the families’ lists of needs and divide them among the students who volunteer to purchase items.
If students would like to donate money, no contribution is too small, Baw said. If money is a concern, there is always volunteer work at all locations.
Baw said she has volunteered with Christmas Adopt-A-Family for seven years.
NE Campus student Kersten Kee participated last year.
“It’s amazing to see how the students respond to their volunteer work and the end results,” she said.
“It made me sick to my stomach to see how many children there are just in the area of Hurst that are in such poor conditions,” she said. “It made me feel good that I could help innocent children that are in need of love and care.”
Last year, families in Hurst and Fort Worth benefited from the program. Baw said they plan on reaching as many children as they can, so volunteers are always appreciated.
Once students volunteer, they will receive a certificate showing service learning credit, which some colleges require.
The program is not only available to students and faculty. Anyone who wants to take the time to help others is encouraged to volunteer, Baw said.
For more information, students can contact Baw at cynthia.baw@tccd.edu.
