High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

Restoring Hope: The Sharing Center

Restoring Hope: The Sharing Center

Streaming Media

Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3215

Faculty/Instructor

Brad Crawford

Faculty/Instructor Email

crawford@ucf.edu

About the Author

We're Mia, Mario, Lucas, Jimmy and Avalyn second year students from the LEAD Scholars Academy, this is a service learning program, where we give back to the central Florida community through community service.We’re currently enrolled in the spiritual leadership section of the program with Brad Crawford where we have been learning about leadership through the lens of faith and service. For our project, we decided to partner with The Sharing Center in Seminole County and support those in need.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

As student volunteers at the Distribution Center of The Sharing Center we assisted in several key areas where all community donations are first received. Our responsibilities included sorting incoming donations, placing them into proper departments, and preparing items for the Thrift Store. We handled clothing donations (folding, organizing by age and gender) and helped verify electronics to ensure all battery or power-operated items functioned properly before being distributed.

Through this experience, we gained firsthand insight into how effectively The Sharing Center fulfills its mission of serving individuals and families facing poverty and homelessness through Christ-centered outreach. We witnessed a well-organized system that turns community generosity into tangible help for those in need.

One of the most valuable lessons we learned was the importance of teamwork and shared purpose. Working alongside staff and other volunteers taught us patience, coordination, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment. Most importantly, connecting with the organization’s mission and the people it serves deepened our understanding of compassion in action. This experience left us with a strong sense of gratitude and purpose, reminding us how collective effort can make a meaningful difference in our community.

Keywords

Christian; homeless; poverty; aid; pantry; thrift store

Restoring Hope: The Sharing Center


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