Every week, Ball State students are improving the lives of Muncie youth by volunteering at the Roy C. Buley Center.
Sophomore social work major Katie Nikolov said she enjoyed working at the Buley Center because of variety of children she gets to work with.
"There are some kids who are really quiet and shy, and there are some kids that are really outgoing," Nikolov said. "It is just a lot of fun to see what kind of kids you are working with and personalities that are around."
The mission of the Buley Center is to enhance the quality of life in the Muncie community through educational and recreational activities for children, adults, senior citizens and families. The center was opened in 1974 to honor Roy C. Buley, who was instrumental in helping area children. It was opened so the youth could have a place to go, have fun and be able to learn from one another and grow together. Today, the Buley Center holds those same values with the help of Ball State students.
"Whatever advice I feel [the Ball State students] can give, whether giving insight on college, whether it is giving insight on working better with one of their peers they are not getting along with [or] helping with their homework, it is the little things I think we don't pay attention to that have most the impact with the kids," said Dennis Trammell, executive director of the Buley Center.
Dozens of Ball State students volunteer at the after-school program, one of the Buley Center's more popular programs.
"I can't say enough about our Ball State students that come in and help out with our after-school program," Trammell said. "[The kids] love the involvement of the Ball State students."
Right after school, the children come in for a snack and there they are able to socialize with their peers and the Ball State volunteers.
"We encourage them to do their homework and have fun in a healthy way, like playing games outside instead of doing something that could get them in trouble," Nikolov said.
After the snack, the children choose a Ball State student and start working. The volunteers help with homework, quiz the children on different subjects and read with them. The volunteers are encouraged to try to get the child to complete all their homework before they leave so the child is prepared for the next school day.
After homework, the kids get involved in special-interest activities, including art and crafts, science, math or recreation activities.
During that time, some Ball State students might start a game of kickball or another game, while others might play individual games and activities.
The Buley Center's staff tries to make all the kids feel welcome to try new activities.
"In that short span of time right after school, [the kids] really love being here. They really love the attention they're getting, how much fun they're having and all the activities we do," Trammell said.
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