Service Learning Project Summary

For my service learning project I chose to work with Animal Safehouse of Brevard, a non-profit organization that mobilizes fosters for animals whose owners' are fleeing domestic violence. This is such a special organization, in that there are not many like it out there.
  What I planned to accomplish was to be a useful part of the AS team. I wanted to champion the cause and help them get the word out there, raise awareness, raise money, and make a difference in at least one person's life; because I have never known what it is like to do something that is truly important.
I began to make frequent contact with my community partner Arielle Schwartz, and I was able to assist in, what was to me, the most rewarding part of the project, which was an animal transport. I was able to bring a cat from the foster home back to the owner who had recently come out of a shelter. In that moment, it was like I was watching everything come into full circle for her, like she was able to put one more piece of the puzzle back into place. Then is when I understood why AS does what it does, and how rewarding their work truly is. From there I put up fliers, participated in a tabling, and made some jewelry for the organization, and although my attempts to attract volunteers, funds, and fosters were not as significant as I wanted, at least the word got out there, and people that once didn't know we existed now do. The limitations were many, as passer-byes simply did not want to be bothered to donate, or even know who we were. When I tried a number of times to see if any local Publix would allow us to table there, all of the store managers said no. What I learned from that is activism is an upward climb, and "No" just means a need for persistence, but then again, anything worth fighting for is never easy.
My project interacted within the existing institutional frameworks of family, and government. AS has to interact with families, and also help different families, through individuals and families. Inside this and the governmental framework we try to work within and push through to get the mission out.

As far as significance goes, this project was a living breathing testament to the printed words I read throughout the course. I saw the survivors of the domestic violence that remains so prevelant, and I spoke with the women that are fighting to stop it. I worked within the system that would not allow me to set up a table, and I dealt with the men that didnt care about the information I had to give but only about if I had a boyfriend. This project showed me real life examples of patriarchy and what the women's plight was, and still is. My understanding of the texts and issues learned throughout the course was upheld, indeed.
I hope that my audience will learn the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence, and that both are causes crying out for attention.