"Supporting Economic Stability Through Community Resources: A Service Learning Experience"

Authors

• Shermin Shajan Thomas, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

SOW

Course Number

3111

Faculty/Instructor

Kim M. Anderson, Ph.D., MSSW, LCSW

Faculty/Instructor Email

kim.anderson@ucf.edu

About the Author

Hello, my name is Shermin Shajan Thomas, and I am a student pursuing a degree in social work. This project was completed as part of my service-learning course, where I explored the Social Determinants of Health with a focus on economic stability.

I would like to sincerely thank The Sharing Center for providing me with the opportunity to serve the community and gain valuable hands-on experience. I am especially grateful to Anita and Becky Galic for their support and for signing off on my volunteer hours. I would also like to thank my professor, Kim M. Anderson, for her guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this project.

This experience has been meaningful in helping me better understand the challenges faced by individuals and families, and it has strengthened my commitment to working in the field of social work.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

This project focuses on the role of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), with a specific emphasis on economic stability and its impact on individuals and communities. As part of a service-learning course, I completed 15 hours of volunteer work at The Sharing Center, a nonprofit organization that provides essential services such as food assistance, housing support, and access to basic resources for individuals and families in need. During my experience, I assisted in sorting and preparing donations, supporting food distribution, and helping customers in the thrift and furniture stores. These activities allowed me to directly engage with individuals facing financial challenges and better understand the barriers they experience in meeting basic needs.

One of the key things I learned is how strongly economic instability affects overall health and well-being, particularly through limited access to food, housing, and healthcare. I also learned the importance of treating individuals with respect and dignity while creating a supportive, judgment-free environment. This experience helped me connect classroom concepts to real-life situations and strengthened my commitment to serving underserved communities.

Keywords

Social Determinants of Health; Economic Stability; Service Learning; Community Service; The Sharing Center; Poverty; Food Insecurity; Homelessness; Health Disparities; Nonprofit Organizations; Community Resources; Social Work; Civic Engagement; Volunteer Experience; Public Health

Recommended Citation

Shajan Thomas, Shermin, ""Supporting Economic Stability Through Community Resources: A Service Learning Experience"" (2026). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026. 70.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2026spring/70