"Ophthalmology Referral Program:

Patients who have received an eye exam at the Trinity Free Clinic and are identified as needing additional care from an ophthalmologist will be able to be referred to an appropriate specialist. It is anticipated that there will be 12-20 referrals each year in this program.  Relationships will be established with local ophthalmologists who have agreed to take on a specified number of Trinity Free Clinic patients.  The services provided to these patients will be free or affordable (e.g. one patient needed 3 surgeries and they cost $25 each).  We will need relationships with a minimum of 3 ophthalmologists (the more the better versus having  fewer take on a larger responsibility).  A relationship with a surgery facility will need to be established as well so doctors can have a place to perform needed surgical interventions free of charge.  Finally, we will need to raise and set aside funds for a prescription program to aid patients identified as needing medication to treat illnesses (particularly glaucoma eye drops).  This funding will enable a patient to start taking a medication and fund these medications while the patient is set up with alternative pharmaceutical assistance through Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology or the pharmaceutical manufacturer."

VISIONS—An Alternative Experiential Education Program for Students in Middle School

To communicate an idea clearly, a student must have a solid understanding of what he or she wants to say and the ability to outline a logical sequence and structure to his or her audience.  This will also facilitate the students in finding out who they are.   The outcome of an alternative education program should give all the assistance the student needs to reach the highest possible level of his or her learning abilities. It should bring out the potential in each student.  “If your voice inside of you is not stronger than the voices outside of you, you will never be successful.”

            My program will be called “Petals.”  It is not just a self-esteem program or a reading program but a combination of the two. The program will be offered after school to second-grade girls at Rossville Elementary. The girls will be able to read one-on-one to a supportive staff member as well as use an electronic device to read along with books; each session will end with a self- esteem building activity. This program is set up with the hopes that by raising self-esteem at a young age, this self-esteem will thrive in the girls the rest of their lives.

Let There Be Light

The project is centered on enabling families to create a legacy for their terminally ill loved ones. It all begins with a little book of big questions that allows the loved one to reflect on his/her past life to find purpose and gain a sense of meaning. As the questions are asked and answered, both the family and the patient are benefited as they learn to say what they need to say to one another and let go. Materially, the result is a generative document of the Q&A sessions and a collection binder of important documents, photos, and memories of the person. But more importantly, the result is a sense of closure and love for the patient and the family.

The focus of the Outdoor School for Families program is to reach Latinos families though fun and a practical curriculum to teach them English with a hands-on method.  The program will give them the opportunity to learn the language in a non-conventional style that will allow them to participate and learn as a family and it will prepare their preschool children for kindergarten.

I would like to implement a local food bank for pets in Batesville, Indiana, for the underprivileged population. I would like to obtain the supplies for this project by asking for donations from local pet food and supplies stores. l would like to educate the individuals taking advantage of my project on how to better improve their animals' lives (e.g. spay/neuter, vaccinate, etc.) with low- cost budgets and educate them on other ways of keeping their pets healthy at a low cost. This will eventually lead the individuals who are using my food bank to learn how to better help their pets as well as their own lifestyles, and use their resources differently.