Participation

Participation has been was a huge key of my success in High School and I am currently working on becoming more involved at the University of Utah.  Last semester I focused all my service hours with Connect2Health at the 4th Street Clinic here in Salt Lake and learned a lot about how the front desk area works and also how the health care system works for those who cannot afford it.  I have learned about many of the resources in Salt Lake and organizations that are striving to end homelessness.  What constantly amazes me is that these individuals are both content with their life and are looking for a change.  People need help, and it is difficult for many people to ask for it, but Connect2Health gives a great opportunity for people to reach out to them offering to help.  Many of the organizations here in Salt Lake strive to help those that are in most need.  These organizations are the backbone of meeting the basic needs of those in poverty.  However, these resources aren't enough.  Many of them take time, often hours to get what is needed.  This is time that is taken away from developing critical social skills and finding ways to be self sufficient.  If there is any common connection between these individuals it is typically that they lack connections with individuals who can provide them the support and strength they need to improve their situation.  Often times it isn't even their fault that they are in the position they are on.  It has been nice moving on this semester to spend time serving this group of patients not only at 4th Street, but also at the University of Utah hospital which provides a much better environment for personal one on one plans of how to succeed.  Serving at the U of U hospital where patients stay much longer and those in need are much less gives time to tackle the biggest issues these patients face.  This isn't necessarily food or clothing, but often comes to desires for employment, education, and housing.