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Navjot Deol
Sr. Carla Kovack
RLGN 3168
Spring 2015
Multicultural Experience: Kids Club
For the service-learning component of my Catholic Social Teaching course, I had the
opportunity to work with a culturally diverse group of children, most of Hispanic origin, in the
Canal area of San Rafael. Service-learning is a program that integrates classroom content with
community activities to enrich a students academic and personal growth. I tutored 4th and 5th
graders who were a part of the Kids Club after school program in subjects such as Math and
English. For one day a week this semester, I immersed myself in this population to gain a better
understanding of their livelihood and experiences. Working with this population has been an
integral part of expanding my understanding of the importance of cultural immersion and
fostering an environment of cultural acceptance.
In order to better understand the experiences of the children who attend the Kids Club, it
is important to learn more about the Canal area itself. The Canal area in San Rafael is a small
space with a dense population, often with multiple families living in one house or apartment. The
Pickleweed Community Center provides the physical space for children to do homework that
they may not have in their home environment. I was shocked to learn that the Canal has the
lowest rate of education in Marin County. I was not expecting such an educational disparity in
one of the most affluent counties in the U.S. Many of the students are English learners. Reading
at grade level by the 3rd grade is a strong indicator of a child's likelihood to graduate from high
school. One kid told me that he likes getting his homework done at the Kids Club because

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sometimes there are words he doesnt know, nobody at home knows either, and he looks them up
in a dictionary, but still doesnt understand the words. Therefore, it is important to have programs
in place that emphasize reading and math in a structured and supportive environment. In addition
to doing homework at the Kids Club, the students also participate in reading groups to develop
their reading skills. They also have time for play as an integral part of their learning process. The
Kids Club is an important part of this community in providing after-school support to an at-risk
population of children.
It is often difficult to think of an after-school program as having a huge impact on not
only the lives of the children, but also of the community as a whole. However, this is precisely
the case with the Kids Club. Encouraging these children to do homework, participate in reading
groups, and do group activities creates a safe, fun, and educational learning environment for
these children. Service-learning volunteers from Dominican University not only provide
homework support, but also serve as role models for these children, many of whom will be firstgeneration college students. One girl in particular was curious about my schooling and I told her
I was going to college for nursing. She seemed very interested and told me that her favorite
subject in school is Science and that she wants to go to college. Ultimately, this program gives
these children the tools they need for a successful future and breaks the cycle of intergenerational
poverty.
The students receive discipline, structure, and support for their academic success.
However, one student told me that sometimes some tutors get impatient with him and end up
doing the problem for him. I took the time to make sure he understood his homework and that he
was able to solve the problems on his own. He was surprised and excited when he finished his
homework by himself and had time to join the other students playing outside. These types of

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relationships and interactions that are conducive to learning are built upon mutual respect. I
believed in his abilities to do those problems with some guidance and treated him as an equal.
Cultural, educational, or economic differences should play no bearing on how we treat each other
with respect and dignity.
These children have faced difficult situations with resilience and do not need help or to be
fixed. Rather, they need some guidance and support. In Rachel Remens article, Helping,
Fixing, or Serving, she states that service is the work of the soul, whereas helping or fixing is
the work of the ego. There is something more intimate and personal about serving others
selflessly. For instance, when people are drawn towards professions such as nursing for
economic gain and to simply help and fix others, it becomes a mundane job. These people tend to
get burned out. However, when people embrace nursing out of their duty to serve others, it
becomes a fulfilling career. Also, to help and to fix implies that the other person is inferior and
needs fixing. These children are not inferior in any way to other children. These children laugh
and play, ask lots of questions, and learn new material just like all kids, regardless of their
socioeconomic background. When we treat each other as equals with respect and when we see
the wholeness in another, we strengthen it (Remen 3). We need to serve others using our
humanity.
Overall, this multicultural experience has broadened my understanding of the lives of
people in my community and of my role in serving my community. Working with children from
the Canal area in San Rafael has allowed me to grow, both from an intellectual and a personal
level. I have gained a better understanding of how programs such as the Kids Club are integral
in supporting this community to grow. Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of
intergenerational poverty that occurs in immigrant and low-income households. It is important to

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provide these children with the opportunity to focus on their education in a supportive
environment to break this cycle. Although this may seem like a daunting task to accomplish, it is
possible to create change with even the smallest impact. By simply being at the Kids Club once
a week for 2 hours and being attentive to the needs of the students, I have not only created a
positive impact for these children, but also for myself and my own personal growth. Throughout
this process, I have learned the significant impact I can make by becoming a more active
member of society.

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Works Cited
Ramen, Rachel. Helping, Fixing, or Serving? Kitchen Table Wisdom. N.d.