In keeping with the Barry University’s mission of service, the Adrian Dominican School of Education’s chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International launched its first annual Month of Service this past February. The PDK Month of Service was open to the Barry community as well as PDK members.
The community service projects included volunteering at Art Studio Miami where students assisted elementary school children with a “Tree of Life” art project at a community festival celebrating Black History Month. Volunteers also visited and played bingo with residents of Mt. Sinai Nursing Home. The last service project was with the Urban Paradise Guild where volunteers worked to start a community garden in Lemon City.
“Service is one of the pillars of PDK,” said PDK Month of Service coordinator, Dr. Heidi Whitford. “It was great that students had a variety of community service options. They were all great organizations!”
Dr. Whitford was one of the volunteers at the Urban Paradise Guild with PDK member, Nichole Londono and Barry students, Belawn Bright and Johan Diaz.
“I loved that this experience allowed me to get my hands dirty and truly be a part of the change,” said Londono. “It was refreshing to be guided by such knowledgeable people who know so much about Mother Nature and a real treat to hear their wealth of information.”
To learn more about PDK, a professional organization for educators, email hwhitford@mail.barry.edu.