My name is Grace Boyle, and I am a junior at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. I am a Psychology Major, with a minor in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Studio Art. I have always been involved with the Salve community, through various service opportunities such as volunteering at the NAACP Chapter in Newport. Yet, I felt like something was missing. My roommate who has been a service advocate for the last three years first introduced me to the service office my freshman year. I knew that it was a place I wanted to spend time in and become a part of the service office and their work. Constantly tagging along with her during various tasks and service events, she encouraged me to take the step and become a service advocate myself. Service was an integral part of my middle school and high school life, so I was eager to get started here at Salve. Fast forward to this September, I finally made the commitment and asked to be placed at Child & Family Services in Middletown, Rhode Island.
I started at Child & Family in October and was assigned to the Yearling classroom, which are the children in the eighteen-month range. Being one of twenty-four grandchildren, I have had a lot of experience with babies and younger children. I was excited to take on the challenge of cleaning, feeding, and caring for twelve little ones. I work with the kids every Friday and it is a great way to end my week. My day consists of drop-off, breakfast, reading, playing, lunch, nap-time, and then pick-up! The best part of the day is going outside and watching all of them run around and play with each other. They have truly captured my heart and I’m grateful for this opportunity. This has been a rewarding experience and I can’t wait to continue next semester! I’m very fortunate to have the support of working at Child & Family through Salve Regina.
