Helping during break

Carroll County Times
3/18/2010

Bridget Weishaar, left, helps Matt Hamilton try on fireman's turnout gear at the Gamber Fire Hall. Clients of the ARC of Carroll County took a tour of the fire hall with UMBC students Wednesday.

GAMBER — Right now, Benjamin Hong could be on cruise or in Cancun working on his tan, but he’s spending his spring break in Carroll County.

Hong is one of 10 undergraduate students from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who chose to spend their spring break working with clients of The Arc of Carroll County.

The Arc of Carroll County works with and advocates for people with developmental disabilities.

This is one of several alternative spring break programs that UMBC offers.  During the week, the students pay $75 to stay at school, have their meals and get transportation to The Arc and back to UMBC.  Hong said that he’s not into the party scene and that spending time with people who have developmental disabilities was a great opportunity.

The program was started by Ben Davis, a UMBC junior from Carroll County who works at The Arc when he isn’t at school.  “I’ve always been involved with special needs,” Davis said. “The main thing was to break the barrier.”  The students have been able to take some of The Arc clients out on trips around the county. Wednesday, they visited the Gamber fire company and the Carroll Springs School.

Kevin Walla, the program coordinator at The Arc of Carroll County, said that they were excited for the students to come back this year.  “They have a great youthful enthusiasm,” he said.  Walla added that their visits not only help out The Arc, but also the community.

Tracie Beam, who works as a one-on-one service provider to Rodney Featherstone, said the students gave Featherstone and the other clients great opportunities.  She said that when they visited the fire hall, Featherstone had a big smile on his face.  Erin Strevig, a client of The Arc said she had fun.  “I like the fire trucks,” she said.

Sarah Svoboda, a sophomore at UMBC, said she wanted to participate in the week-long event because she can relate to the clients at The Arc. Svoboda has cerebral palsy and is working toward becoming a recreational specialist.  “I have a disability myself, so I am able to relate to other disabled people,” she said. “Even though I’m able to relate I can always gain more understanding.”

Ayobami Olufadeji, a junior at UMBC, came on this trip last year and decided he wanted to do it again.  “It gives you so much exposure,” he said.  Olufadeji said that he wants to be a neurosurgeon and help to better the lives of those with developmental disabilities. He said spending time with the people he intends to treat medically will make him better at his future profession.  “Now you know the symptoms you are trying to fix,” he said.  He added that he can have a greater understanding and relationship to people with developmental disabilities.  “You are more empathetic about doing your job,” he said.

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