“It was an amazing outreach project for my students, giving them opportunity to invest themselves in a learning and creative experience that reached beyond their own world into the world of others in need. Very effective!”
Pam Dolan, Belgrade High School art department
“The YEWTHS ROC program has probably been one of the most valuable experiences that I have had the children at Emily Dickinson participate in. It has impacted them in their daily lives, and I feel quite certain that it will continue to impact them throughout their lives. Having the opportunity to see through film the children getting their wheelchairs was probably the most meaningful thing that will happen in some of these children’s lives. In the world that we are in where altruism and empathy are very important for how the world will be over the next century, I think that having these young children learn this lesson at an early age is perhaps the best lesson they can learn in school. I certainly would encourage all schools to get involved in this. I can’t think of a better program that should spread through all the schools in Bozeman and Montana and perhaps throughout the United States and worldwide because it is a program with far reaching impact for the children and for other people in the world. When we can actually have that connection for our children, it’s a phenomenal event to have happen in an elementary school. ”
Principal Robbye Hamburgh
“I think ROC Wheel has impacted our students so amazingly, increasing their knowledge of the world and how different cultures live and some of the needs that are out there in our world. Being able to affect the world from Bozeman, Montana has been a big deal. As a child you can make a difference in someone’s life. It is so valuable to see what our children and other children can do.”
Tawny Advincula (5th grade teacher)
“This isn’t a little thing that they have done. We’ve talked about how they have changed a life forever. I think that you can see that in their eyes. I think that they sit a little taller when they think about what they have done.”
Lynn Foust( 5th grade teacher)
“We have a student in our classroom, Jacob, who is in a wheelchair and I do believe after seeing the video that you showed the class about Kenya and its children there, they looked at Jacob with different eyes.”
Linda Wolfe (Jacob’s 5th grade teacher)
“It’s a really great feeling knowing that you are helping someone around the world. If other people get into this it would help so much more. It really makes you feel good that you are doing this and that your classmates are excited about it because you know that not only you but everybody else around you is doing something really good to help other people.”
Erik Eng (5th grade student)
“I love helping and taking part! It makes me feel good, like I’m part of something.”
“If I put the effort to make something for something important like those less fortunate than myself, it is more than I could have imagined.”
“I feel like we made a difference in peoples lives and it’s a great feeling.”
“I think this is an awesome program! I’m really excited that I was able to donate my time and energy to help someone less fortunate. I think there should be more programs just like this one. If you can help another person you can better their lives.”
“I learned that I can be a part of something BIG!”
“Life is good for me, and I need to be more appreciative!”
What did you learn about people who have disabilities?
“They are people too and just because they are handicapped does not mean that they can’t love and be loved like everyone else.”
“They love attention and have tons of hope and love to give to others.”
“They do what they can and don’t let their disabilities keep them from the things they want.”
“Life is hard for them, but they still have joy and love in their hearts.”
Following are comments from youth who went on the Jamaica Wheelchair distribution:
“This trip has changed my view of life completely!! I have seen things that have changed and touched my heart in many many ways. I developed amazing relationships with the kids and it’s just a great thing to be a part of!!” – River
“This has just been an amazing opportunity. Once you fit a wheelchair to a certain person, you realize… wow, I just totally changed this child’s life. There is no way to explain the joy!” – Anna
“I loved this trip so many exciting things happened, the laughing and the smiling of the children fills your heart with joy.” – Janice
Success Story at Emily Dickinson where Jacob (5th grade student who uses a wheelchair) and his classmates grow through walls!
Highlights and Takeaways
- Jacob participated and become a leader and rolemodel for his classmates
- Jacob’s mom also saw the impact on Jacob
- Students grew to understand Jacob and others with disabilities
- Teachers enjoyed the program
- Delivery of chairs to bedridden was life impacting
“I think everyone should reach out and care because if we spread this through other schools and even colleges, then we can really make an impact on other people’s lives. Everyone reach out and care! Bye.” Jacob Jorgenson (5th grade student who uses a wheelchair.)
“I do think this program has affected the other kids and how they look at Jacob and how they look at the kids in other cultures and other countries. They are not afraid of Jacob. They come up and talk to him and ask him questions where they might not have before. This project seemed to have brought them all together in a lovely way. I think they look outside themselves now. They can look at what they can do for somebody half a world away. It’s been amazing.”
Val Jorgenson (Jacob’s mom)
Hudson, former 3rd grader, takes YEWTHSROC lessons beyond the classroom. He hiked to get additional funds for two chairs. http://www.nbcmontana.com/video/30000763/index.html?taf=mont
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnL5hm1kdIU&feature=plcp&context=C302f847UDOEgsToPDskI15Gn7PbT9KUpe9DzBdqBB
ROC partners with Brad Blauser website
