RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMMING IDEAS

PROGRAM FOCUS: community service, environmental awareness & activism

Programs In A Box

Fishing for Service

Picture
Educational Content: 
Each set of matches/cards have been adapted to represent the different volunteer opportunities near Saint Leo's campus. If you click on the blue hyper links, below they will take you to their websites for more information.

Cards include:
 Habitat for Humanity- a service organization which helps families build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Metropolitan Ministries-a service organization whose mission is to care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency.
Adopt A Road-an opportunity to take ownership for keeping our community clean by "adopting" sections of roadway in Pasco County
PB and J Tampa Bay-an organization dedicated to feeding 25,000 homeless people this year in the Tampa Bay area 
Aquaponics-Morning Star Fishermen is a Christian organization committed to healthy and sustainable living for all. They are currently training people around the world to implement aquaponics as one solution to world hunger.
Sunrise of Pasco County-This organization is a catalyst for change that empowers residents of Pasco County to save lives, educates the community and changes lives through domestic and sexual violence intervention and prevention services. 
Love one Another- Provides food to those in need. 
SERVE-Students Engaged in Rewarding Volunteer Experiences (SERVE) is a student-run program that provides members of the Saint Leo University with opportunities to participate in service trips.
YMCA-You can choose to volunteer at special events or to work with members on a daily basis at the YMCA. With a focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Y volunteers give men, women, and children of all ages and from all walks of life the resources and support they need to be healthy, confident, connected, and secure.
Program Description: The deck has been designed so each "Go Fish" card displays a different community service opportunity available in the Pasco County area. Residents will play the classic game of Go Fish; after a match has been made the resident assistant will educate the residents about that specific community service project and what the resident can do to get involved.

Environmental Jenga 

Picture
Educational Content:
To play this game, the RA will begin with a set up Jenga stack or "“ecosystem” using all blocks by laying three on three in alternating directions. Participant will remove blocks from the stack or “ecosystem”. Each participant will remove one block per round. The goal is to remove the most blocks without causing the ecosystem to fail. If participants have questions about the block they have pulled; share information regarding their block (see fact stack). Once the ecosystem falls or “fails” begin discussion.

PREMISE OF THE GAME/RAIN FOREST FACTS
Rain forests contain 40-70% of earth’s biotic specifics (indigenous to rain forests) and it has been estimated that there may be millions more specifics of plants, insects and microorganisms still undiscovered in rain forests.  They are credited with being the world’s largest pharmacy because over ¼ of natural medicines have been discovered there. They also provide 1/3 of the Earth’s oxygen. Tropical and temperate rain forests have been subjected to heavy logging and agricultural clearance and biologists have estimated that possibly more than 50.000 species are being driven to extinction a year; at that rate, says E. O. Wilson of Harvard University, a quarter or more of all species on Earth could be exterminated within 50 years) due to the removal of habitat with destruction of the rain forests. Urban growth and pollution are also contributing factors to the destruction of rain forests. Every plant and animal in the ecosystem is important to the survival of the forest as a whole, according to Pollution Prevention. If one of the larger mammals is hunted and goes extinct, the small mammals they used to prey on would thrive, resulting in plant loss. Even the smallest loss could lead to damage of the ecosystem that cannot be recovered.
This game demonstrates how the removal of water sources, plants or animals from the rain forest can cause the collapse of the ecosystem and the game should be used as a foundation for discussion for our role in helping protect these valuable resources for Planet Earth.
Program Description: In this program residents will learn about Jenga through an activity where every Jenga piece is labeled with an item (water, plant, animal, etc.) essential to the rainforest. The game serves as a metaphor for how when we remove important components of an ecosystem we eventually cause it to collapse, and adding those components back in later will eventually not be enough to save the ecosystem. 

I Have A Message

Picture
​Educational Content: Residents will discuss causes they are passionate about as they work to come to a collective decision on what topic/organization they wish to support to give back to the world in a personal way. For example, if the residents have experienced bullying, they may choose an "Anti-Bullying" campaign, or if they've had loved ones die from a disease they may choose a "Find a Cure" campaign specific to that disease where they share why it's important to them, why it's personal for them and/or how they're excited to make a difference. The discussion in picking a cause and the discussion as they help each other come up with their taglines will be an opportunity for them to educate each other on ways we can give back, why we need to give back or how they're already giving back to the world. Additionally, taking the campaign to social media can propagate positive activism in others.

Examples:
CAUSE: Anti-Bullying "I stand against bullies because I see your true beauty" "I stand against bullying for my brother" "I won't let you be bullied, because I was"

CAUSE: Cure for Cancer "I #fightforacure for my dad" "I donate to cancer research so no one else has to lose someone they love" "I support cancer research for my aunt, who is 5 years in remission!"
Program Description: The RA will lead a conversation where the residents at the program collectively pick a topic and or an organization to support. They will think of different messages that will help provide awareness to the community of that topic and or organization. They will then write their message on white boards and take pictures and post them on social media. This program will send a message out to the community and create an active floor. 

DIY- Do It Yourself 

Picture
Educational Content: Residents will learn to be better stewards of the environment where they will be given handouts on the topic of reduce, reuse and/or recycle. Residents can bring any "throw away" items they have and reinvent them instead of throwing them away. See list of examples below; but there is no limit on what they reinvent. The box for this program contains paint, glue, and other decorative pieces to embellish their reinvented item. As residents work on their DIY project, the RA will discuss the information from the handout with the residents.

Examples of DIY Projects (click on the project for more information)
​Phone Holder
​Glass Jars 
Tin Cans
Ear Phone Holder
Vintage Box
Plastic Bottles 
Card Board Boxes 
K-Cups
Program Description: Residents will reduce, reuse and recycle by taking items they already have and finding new purposes for them.  The RA will lead a discussion on ways we can protect the environment and items we don't re-use, reduce or recycle that we should. 
EXAMPLES RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS: ​
​
Breast Cancer Awareness
Eat a Slice Save a Life
Fall Clothing Drive
Garbage Night
Go Canvas
Pizza Hunger Banquet
Potty Party
Recycling Bins are Totally In

OTHER IDEAS:
Collections for Charities (bottle caps, tabs, canned food, clothing)
o   Party at the end to announce final results & “winner”

Plant a Tree

Go to the Community
o   Boys and Girls Club
o   Animal Shelter

Newspaper Fashion Show
o   Create “outfits” out of newspaper and tape  and model them –then discuss how we can resuse items in our daily lives to be less wasteful

Run a Community Service Site

Power Down Party Hour
o   Turn off and unplug all electronics for an hour and either play outside together or have a glow party