The Education Department and the Nursing Department of Texas A&M University Texarkana (TAMUT) hosted a Fall Festival for the clients and families of Opportunities, Inc. and Temple Memorial last Saturday, October 26th.
The Fall Festival was a student-led service-learning project that put into practice the skills students are learning in the classroom. This experiential learning opportunity is a critical component of TAMUT’s mission statement, whereby students become part of the community in which they will be working.
The executive director of Texarkana Opportunities Inc. Sherry Young said, “This event is very special. It’s our first time to partner with TAMUT, to put on this type of event and the nursing and education students at TAMUT are doing a service-learning project and they have chosen Opportunities INC. to implement their project.”
“The Nursing and Education departments at TAMUT came together for their Service Learning project and decided something needed to be done in conjunction with Opportunities Inc, that would give the students in both departments the chance to be of service to the community, fulfilling our mission statement,” said Jan Murdock, Professor of Practice and Special Education at TAMUT. Adding that the adults took a big step back on this project and allowed the students to do everything from food to games and setup to cleanup.
Jenni Hedrick, Nursing Faculty sponsor for TAMUT says that this service-learning activity will help the Maternal Child Care class by interacting with clients of different ages at various levels of development.
“Their students are learning and our clients are getting to have a great time and celebrate with a Fall Festival. Its a great opportunity for both of us,” said Mrs. Young.
For more information contact: Rebekah Drennon
Director of Development at Opportunities, Inc.
Phone: 903.791.2270
Fax: 903.792.0816
rdrennon@oppinc.org
