MHA students volunteer for worthy program
What began as a community project has evolved into a weekly act of giving back to the community by MHA students through The Next Chapter Book Club, a book club for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The students who volunteer for the organization are second year MHA students: Emily Allinder, T’Nita Waters, Erick Vidmar, David Reisman and Alumnus Katrina Buchholtz, Class of 2005.
“I originally got involved with the program as a L.E.N.D. grant trainee through the Nisonger Center at McCampbell Hall. I fell in the love with the program and the people,” she said.
She then recruited Vidmar. The participation grew when they left for their summer residencies and had Reisman and Waters take over for them. When they returned, the two new recruits decided to stick with the program.
The book club meets on Tuesday nights at the Borders on Sawmill Road and on Thursdays at the Borders on Henderson and Kenny. Waters is the facilitator for the Tuesday night book club. At the meetings, the members of the book club take turns reading aloud and discuss the books. Vidmar said that his club is currently reading “Blubber” by Judy Blume.
“The purpose of NCBC is to encourage and promote learning and to help improve individual reading skills, while providing a safe, nurturing environment for adults with developmental disabilities to socialize with their peers,” Allinder said.
Waters agreed.
“The value of the program is that it illustrates the importance of respecting all types of individuals. I think that as a society we place certain stigmas and labels on individuals who don't look or act the same as the norm,” she said. “Book club does a great job of dispelling biases and getting people to change their perception of adults with disabilities. The participants enjoy laughing, sharing stories, building friendships, drinking coffee, and having a good time just like anyone else.”
Allinder believes the NCBC is just as important to the volunteers as it is to the members.
“I love the individuals who attend the book club. They give back to me in more ways than they know. It is such a wonderful opportunity to learn about yourself and others,” she said. “NCBC provides me with a weekly reminder of generosity, love, and friendship. Each individual touches your life in a unique way.”
