Service Learning at Bell Oaks Elementary School
Monday 1 June 2015

Our friends at Bell Oaks Upper Elementary School in Bellmawr implemented Service Learning for their 7th grade students in the 2014-2015 school year on Homeless Awareness. Students and staff worked to raise awareness and to bring focus to the increasing homeless population in our community and the nation in general. After weeks of lessons on homelessness, including causes, statistics, and services, the students moved on to their culminating projects.

The New Jersey Education Association helped fund two events that were planned and implemented by the 7th grade student body and the special area staff at Bell Oaks School. The first event, "Nights Under The Stars" was a beautiful evening of great food (all prepared by the students), music and conversation. Joseph's House was present at this event and shared with students and families about our guests and the services we offer. The 2nd was a "Collections Carnival" where items were donated in exchange for tickets to participate in homemade games. The students collected toiletries, paper products, and cleaning supplies, many of which were donated to Joseph's House.

The energy and enthusiasm continued to grow and became contagious to the entire learning community. Each and every 7th grade student participated in the project, and the students and staff at Bell Oaks hope to continue to educate their students about homelessness while contributing to local organizations. You can help them by voting for them in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist™ Grant Program. You can vote at https://www.state-assist.com/cause/1500681/nights-under-the-stars