UD Club Provides Support for Delaware Kids

The University of Delaware (UD) has hundreds of clubs, or Resident Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus. One RSO in particular echoes Delaware efforts, as well as national efforts, to serve and help young children. The Student Association for the Education of Young Children (SAEYC)—mirrored after DAEYC and NAEYC—is a club that links students with service opportunities for children.

With about 30 active members, SAEYC participants develop relationships, promote academic success, and play with kids in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware. The club often has events at the A.I. duPont Hospital and that is where my SAEYC experience began. The first SAEYC event I ever attended was two years ago, as a sophomore at UD. I was dragged to the event by a friend, and with little knowledge about the club or the hospital, we hopped in the SAEYC driver’s car and traveled to A.I. DuPont. I was not entirely thrilled to be there, but decided to make the best of the situation. When we arrived, a hospital worker printed us out nametags and led us down the white hallways to the Child Life Center.

When we entered the room I nervously sat down next to a young boy. I pulled out the craft I brought and we sat and decorated a mask together for Halloween. I made conversation with the boy and got a response every so often. I was discouraged by his quietness, but then boy surprised me and asked if I wanted to play air hockey with him. He was a surprisingly good player and we had a fun time challenging each other. Just as both of were getting comfortable, the two hour volunteer shift was over. I was sad to leave because I felt like I just got started. As I walked back through the sterile, white hallways I decided I had learned two things: 1) being in a hospital as child is hard and 2) volunteering time towards these kids makes a difference.

Now, as president of the club, I encourage members to participate in all events, but I always advocate a little extra for the hospital.

SAEYC members also babysit children in the New Directions Early Head Starts (NDEHS) program, read stories to kids on Saturday mornings at the Newark Public Library, and provide one-on-one tutoring once a week at the College School near UD.

Clubs exist to meet the demands of student’s interests: and there is clearly an interest in the quality of our child care and the future of our children. SAEYC at UD works to fill a tiny niche that is part of a much broader effort to provide appropriate socio-emotional and educational support for kids. SAEYC is small, but like Delaware has a large focus on serving children.