Civic

Engagement Activity
Presented by Matt Layton

Provide information about your Civic Engagement Activity (the name, place,
date, hours of time, etc). Give an overview of the event that you attended, or
the volunteer organization that you supported, including your participation /
support / duties / responsibilities / etc.

I decided to volunteer for the charity Kids on the Move for my Civic
Engagement Activity. This year Kids on the Move was the non-profit
beneficiary of the Salt Lake City Haunted Half and 5K. I volunteered to assist
with the setup of the finish line for the race on October 13th from 4:00 PM to
7:00 PM in Sugarhouse Park, Sugarhouse Utah. During my service I assisted
with unloading the truck, setting up the guardrails for the finish line and the
basketball activity inflatable, pitching the tents for the first-aid station and
refreshment line, and assisted by running an errand to Home Depot to fetch
missing pieces for the large inflatables.

Kids on the Move is a non-profit organization responsible for empowering
families, one kid at a time. There are four divisions within their organization.

1. Early Head Start

Early Head Start is for low-income families with infants and toddlers.
They offer comprehensive developmental services for children and
social services for their families.

2. Early Intervention

Early Intervention assists children who qualify and their families with
development assessments, physical therapy, occupational therapy,
speech and language therapy, hearing and vision assessments,
nursing, nutrition and parent training classes.

3. Autism Center

The Autism Center offers support to families with children diagnosed
with autism. They strive to strengthen each familys unique
circumstances through a variety of services that include preschool,
applied behavior analysis classes, social groups, home visits, parent
university courses and telehealth services.

4. Respite Care



Respite care provides short periods of rest or relief for

parents/caregivers with special needs children so that the
parents/caregivers can relieve stress, renew energy and restore
balance.

How did the event or volunteer service connect with the theme you chose
from the course? (Make reference to course materials).

The theme I chose to use as my inspiration for this assignment relates to how
people, practices and systems change over time. I identified this theme
within every module I studied within this course.

In module two I learned about how an individuals behavior toward a
person/people/culture of a different background can reflect the stories that
this individual has been told about that person/people/culture. I learned that
the perspectives of the individual can change when he/she is open to
learning more stories and not hold to a single story.

In module three we discussed and I learned about how people changed and
adapted to environmental issues. The switch from humans hunting and
gathering to becoming industrial is an example of change that was seen
anciently.

In module four we studied world religions. Within this module I learned
about syncretism. John Green said about how, in time, the Buddha became
one to be worshipped as another incarnation of one of the Hindu gods and
not as a mortal teacher.

Module five outlined the early government structures of the Romans, Greeks,
Egyptians and the Chinese. The rise and fall of Roman Empire exemplifies the
process of change within its government and society. Early Rome was ruled
by a monarchy but eventually developed into a republic. As Roman Empire
grew in size its capacity to influence other nations expanded. The arch is an
iconic symbol/structure associated with Rome and this type of structure has
spread and can be seen throughout the world.

In module six I learned about war and revolution. I believe that war is one of
the most powerful vehicles of change. The U.S Revolutionary War enabled the
United States to become an independent nation separating itself from Great
Britain forever.

I am a visual person and I believe that change can be seen the most clearly
through the medium of art. Module seven focused on experimentation
through the arts. Change is apparent as the art from the Renaissance Era (see
Image 1) shifted to Baroque and then Romantic art (Image 2).


Image 1: The Tribute Money
(Masaccio)
Image 2: The Slave Ship (J.M.W.
Turner)

Romantic art led to Realism that led to impressionism and eventually to
Modern Art (Image 3).









Image 3: Guernica (Picasso)

Module eight focused on the perspectives and changes regarding the topic of
gender. I learned how after the Rwandan Genocide that there was a major
shift within government of Rwanda. Females became actively involved within
the Rwandan political system. As a result of this, women were given
freedoms that previous were withheld from them.

The topic of module nine was globalization. The industrialization of the
nations of Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, and the United States had a large
impact on the less developed nations such as most of the nations within
Africa. Globalization has caused the loss of culture within countries who have
been colonialized. The textbook described how industrialization changed
industrialized nations themselves. It changed the nature and character of
human work, altered relationships between human beings and affected the
natural environment. (Pg. 361)

All of these examples of change influenced me to choose to serve the non-
profit, Kids on the Move. I decided to volunteer for Kids on the Move because
I wanted to support the upbringing of our rising generation. As I have
explained before, I believe that by supporting the positive development of
children we can positively shape the future. Studies have shown that
parents who are supported and have the recourses they need are better able


to raise their children in a positive environment. Children raised in this kind

of environment are more likely to become active and positive members of
society.

Did you feel that your participation made you a more responsible citizen in
terms of promoting your own freedom or the freedom of others? If so, why?
If not, why not?

I dont believe that my participation in this specific activity has made me a
more responsible citizen in terms of promoting my own freedom or the
freedom of others, unlike my work within the Navy. I believe that I have
indirectly assisted with promoting the freedoms of other by assisting Kids
on the Move. Kids on the Move assists families with unique needs and
children with special needs. I believe this organization is able to help these
families and therefore provide freedom from the struggles they are going
through. If I had chosen to volunteer to assist with an election, I may have felt
like I was promoting my own freedom or the freedom of others.

Did you enjoy this experience and would you do it again? Why or why not?

I did enjoy the experience of helping set up the finish line for the Haunted
Half. It was a beautiful evening and it was nice to feel like I was making a
difference by helping with this set up. I also enjoyed getting to know some of
the other volunteers. One of the frustrating aspects of this volunteer
opportunity was the fact that the organizers of the volunteer event were
unorganized and indecisive at points during my time block. After reflecting
on my experience I dont think I would do this same kind of volunteer work
in the future. I believe that I could make a greater impact by volunteering
directly with Kids on the Move within one or more of their four divisions. I
have to share that this Civic Engagement Activity was probably my favorite
part of this Humanities Course. I have enjoyed feeling even more civically
engaged within my community.
















Volunteer Pictures


Reflection

Change is a natural constant aspect of the human experience. I am in a constant state
of change. Humanities 1010 played a roll in how I have changed within this last
semester. My wife and I recently visited Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah to see
the Christmas lights. While we were down there I noticed an art exhibit within the
Joseph Smith Memorial Building. At my urging, my wife and I walked through the
gallery. I reflected on the art eras Ive been learning about. I made an observation
that I have a better appreciation for art as a result of my studies within module
seven of Humanities 1010. There was a piece of art that contained brush strokes in
the shape of squares. This modern art piece captured me, not because of the subject
of the canvas, but because I was able to understand the background of how modern
art came into development. Before this enlightenment of mine I enjoyed art but had
little understanding of art as a subject.

The assignment to attend a religious service that is different than my own was a
challenge for me. I am very comfortable with my own religious practices. Stepping
out of my comfort zone was emotionally draining and stressful. After witnessing the
Hindu ritual at the West Jordan Hindu Temple I gained an appreciation for the
assignment I participated in. I feel like I have another story of the Hindu religion and
this story has helped me to better understand the Hindus I know. I also feel less
intimidated to ask question regarding the Hindu practices and religion.

The Civic Engagement Activity was the best aspect of this class. It gave me a purpose
as I studied the nine modules. It has caused me to evaluate my own civic
engagement. I feel more motivated to do more within my community. As a result of
my service for Kids on the Move I have discovered that I dont particularly enjoy the
muscle work of setting up for a half marathon. I discovered that I want to work more
directly with children and help them become active, smart, and caring individuals
that I hope will positively shape the future of our society.