A LOOK BACK Misericordias Fitness and Pool Center

A LOOK BACK Misericordia’s Fitness and Pool Center Through the Lens of an Intern Omar Zahra I B. S. Biochmeistry

INTRODUCTION • The Social Justice Internship (SJI) is a year-long experience where 13 students are placed in local Chicago area non-profits. • These include Misericordia, Catholic Charities, ONE Northside, and Girlforward • We met once every few weeks in a classroom setting to discuss community building, leadership, and various forms of reflection.

MISERICORDIA • An organization that cares for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities including many whom are also physically challenged. • 31 -acre campus home to over 600 children and adults • Contains many centers including the Aquatic and Moore Fitness Center, a Chapel, a bakery, a basketball court, a greenhouse, and much more.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • As a result of interning at Misericordia, I will be able to properly assess and run the Fitness Center on my own. • As a result of my internship at Misericordia, I will try to get to know more about the residents and create friendships with them. • As a result of interning with Misericordia, I will learn to integrate various skills/ activities throughout my interaction with the residents

THE FITNESS CENTER • Maneuvering and working the machines • Interacting with all the residents who come in and out • Introducing myself to every resident • Maintaining a consistent flow of lively music

TASTE IN MUSIC • It took me a while to get the hang of the different types of music that residents like. • Most of the time they would only know a phrase or two of their favorite song and I had to try my best to figure out what the song was. It was like a game of trial and error. • Occasionally I would play some music to my taste and either a resident would like and or they wouldn’t

THE OUTSIDE SEATING • This was a favorite spot for many residents whenever they first stepped foot into the facility. • The moment someone sat down I knew that I was going to have to motivate them to come into the Fitness room. • Whenever residents finished working out they would also sit hear waiting for someone to take them back home.

ANSWERING THE DOORBELL • One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was answering the doorbell whenever it rang. • Because we were connected to the overall larger building at Misericordia a lot of residents would come through the Fitness and Pool Center. • With every door that I opened I would be greeted by a warm and welcoming smile.

SIT AND BE FIT PROGRAM • A major aspect of my internship was a program called “Sit and Be Fit”. • The idea of this program is to visit various houses and to interact with the residents • This would include games like catch, bowling, bingo, bean bag throw, or others.

GETTING RESIDENTS TO GAGE • The hardest and most rewarding part was getting the residents to play with me. • The program was scheduled usually during the nighttime so many patients were ready to go to bed. • I would attract the residents the moment I started playing the music.

REFLECTIONS • Checking up with the residents on a weekly basis and getting to know how they are maneuvering their daily lives. • Most residents I would see on a weekly basis and eventually the residents came to know when exactly I would be interning. • Not only were they looking forward to seeing me but so was I.

LESSONS TO LEARN • This was my first time dealing with this population and I came in with certain assumptions. • By the end of my internship those assumptions were completely turned upside down. • I had not realized how valuable and treasured Misericordia’s residents were until I started working with them.

REWARDS • I was able to build on my leadership skills in team building. • Most of the time throughout the “Sit and Be Fit” programming I would have about two other volunteers who would help. • Learn invaluable lessons about life beyond school from fellow staff members.

HIGHLIGHTS • Being a valuable team member and friend to most of the Fitness Center. • Assisting the Power Lifting Team achieve their goals of being more fit. • Being given notes by the residents whenever they made something in art class.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special Thanks: • To my Instructor- Andrew Miller, Center for Experiential Learning • To my site supervisor- Mary Ann Zielke -Allen • To all the residents as Misericordia