Volunteering at KidVantage

OLS Citizenship course students spent time researching and self-reflecting on what being a good citizen means and how to be better citizens to their community. Students broke into small groups to discuss ways to help the community. Some of the ideas they came up with included donating blood, hosting food drives, donating goods and clothing, collecting goods for different causes and volunteering. Students decided to find a place to where they could volunteer as a class.

On Wednesday, Nov 9, students volunteered at KidVantage (formerly known as Eastside Baby Corner) in Issaquah which helps children and their families in need. They were an immense help, creating dental hygiene kits that were going to be passed out to kids, creating kits for breastfeeding mothers, as well as organizing and getting toys ready for children to receive. It was impressive to see the amount of work the students put in and how many children and families they were contributing help. All of the students came with great attitudes showed so much leadership and initiation by grouping up and creating organizational systems to ensure all the kits and toys were getting put together properly.

There are many components to being a good citizen and the one the students focused in on was volunteering to help within their community. Volunteering helps immerse us in social issues (in this case, helping children and families who are struggling due to a lack of basic needs) and combating this social issue so the children receiving help can thrive. This opportunity to volunteer also helped connect students with people and ideas they might not have otherwise encountered.

a group of OLS students volunteer at a charity organization
a group of OLS students volunteer at a charity organization
a group of OLS students volunteer at a charity organization
a group of OLS students volunteer at a charity organization
a group of OLS students volunteer at a charity organization
a group of OLS students volunteer at a charity organization

Citizenship is one of the many courses students take to earn their associate degree in the OLS program. Students in this course study a variety of political, environmental and political issues and examine the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Occupational & Life Skills (OLS) is an associate degree program at Bellevue College for students with learning disabilities. In our uniquely supportive skills-based program, students apply academic knowledge through community activities, service learning and social experiences. Students identify a career pathway, gain marketable, workplace-ready competencies, develop better interpersonal skills and complete an internship in alignment with their career goals.

Learn more about our program at an upcoming Information Session, open to all prospective students, family members/guardians, educators, counselors and other service providers. Come learn why OLS Bellevue College is one of the best colleges for students with learning disabilities.

Last Updated May 30, 2023