During the Holiday Break, EMAPs students delivered gift bags to elderly members of society. Our students worked with a non-profit organization called Team Spiritual Servants to collect donations, assemble gifts bags, and deliver those bags to Franklin Woods Nursing Home. Team Spiritual Servants is run by Lakisha Brown-Allen, a member of our staff, and her husband.
Weeks before the holiday break, Mrs. Brown-Allen talked to students about participating in activities that require organizational skills, dedication, and a willingness to do good for others. Amazingly, students began to volunteer to help organize and assemble gift bags containing socks, gloves, holiday snacks, and health & beauty items. These students sympathized with the hardships of the elderly because many of them have experienced personal hardships at a very young age.
The week before the break, students utilized an assembly line structure to fill each gift bag with the appropriate items. Each student placed the items they were responsible for in the bag and then passed the bag to the next person. During this process, students learned organizational skills and time management. These are leadership skills they can use in their future endeavors.
After all was done, they traveled to Franklin Woods Nursing Home on December 22nd, 2018 to make the delivery. Students were able to experience the joy of putting a smile on someone’s face.
A Word From Mrs. Brown-Allen
My name is Lakisha Brown-Allen, this is my first year here at EMAPS. I have 19 years of experience working in the special educational field with students that have autism, behavioral, learning and intellectual challenges in grades K-8. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Urban Education. My primary reason why I have decided to pursue this career is because I feel the strong desire to positively influence and educate children. I feel that one of the major satisfactions of being an educator is to enrich a student’s life. I really enjoy working with students from a diverse cultural background and implementing new skills and strategies that will meet all students needs to excel academically.
This year, I have given students at EMAPS an opportunity to earn their service learning hours with my nonprofit organization Team Spiritual Servants. Students will learn the importance of how to give back to the community. As a team, students will learn leadership skills, strengthen character, learn problem solving skills, display good work ethics, develop self-esteem and pro-social behavior. By focusing in on these skills students will practice on adapting, acknowledging and applying academic skills to enhance their growth.
Mrs. Brown-Allen has been a wonderful addition to the EMAPs Faculty!!!
Michelle Obama
“Success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.”
Elementary/Middle Alternative Programs 