In the Lucas Farms neighborhood, I partnered with the Lucas Farms Neighborhood Association and Resurrection A/G (including many local organizations and institutions, like the Iowa City Public Library) to volunteer as a day camp counselor for “Summer Jam.” This summer program offered daily meals, literacy instruction, personal mentorship, and sports and recreation to mostly working-class and students of color, ranging from preschool to college-bound seniors. I worked hard alongside my fellow volunteers, local neighbors, church members, and parents to provide structured, meaningful learning and nourishment throughout the last four summers to these amazing, gifted kids.
Whether it was in our arts and crafts time, daily reading instruction and small groups, or sharing meals and life lessons over lunch, our focus with “Summer Jam” was to help ensure that these at-risk, underserved, and diverse students had opportunities–nutritionally, educationally, and socially–to keep up with their more privileged peers over the summer. We did just that and more, helping to alleviate the stress and strain so many of our local neighbors and their children faced on a daily basis. “Summer Jam” was truly a life-changing experience, for me and the students.
Dr. Ryan David Furlong 