Community partners that enrich Conestoga students’ learning and engagement through field placements were celebrated at an event hosted by the School of Community Services and Human Services team on May 8 at the Kitchener - Doon campus.
The School of Community Services hosted an appreciation event for field placement partners. Student Alex Radeke received the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Outstanding Field Placement Student Award.
Field placements are an invaluable experience for students, contributing to their learning through the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-life scenario, said Tanya Kell, dean of the School of Community Services.
“A heartfelt thank you for the amazing contribution you make to our programs. We really appreciate your dedication to help our students be successful,” Kell said.
Awards were presented at the event:
Lyle S. Hallman Foundation CICE Practice Partner Award - The Elliott Community
Field Placement Partner Award (external) - YMCA of Three Rivers
Field Placement Partner Award (internal) - Conestoga Child Care Centres.
The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Outstanding Field Placement Student Award was recently awarded to Alex Radeke, who is graduating this spring from the Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program. This program is designed to provide people with exceptionalities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their academic and vocational skills with the goal of transitioning to volunteer or paid employment or further studies.
Radeke completed four placements at a retirement home, middle school, youth drop-in centre and the esthetics lab at the Kitchener - Doon campus. What they liked best about the placements was the chance to experience a variety of jobs and practise essential skills, including interviews.
“It definitely opened more doors for me,” Radeke said. “Overall, I love this program. It’s amazing.”
Their plan after graduation is to find a job, and they’re confident in achieving the goal with all that was learned during the field placement experiences. Another option is pursuing volunteer opportunities offered during their community placements.
Lorri Sauvé, chair of Human Services, thanked all the organizations partnering with Conestoga on field placements.
“You are the mentors of our new generation of professionals,” Sauvé said. “Your support is invaluable. We really honour and appreciate you mentoring our students.”
The Elliott Community, a retirement home in Guelph, welcomes at least a couple Conestoga students each term, and they’re a great help in supporting employees to provide the best care possible to residents. Students take charge of enrichment activities for residents, such as taking them outside to enjoy nice weather or looking after calls to family during the pandemic when visits weren’t possible, said recreation specialist Michelle Holland.
“It’s a privilege to support the Conestoga students on their learning journey and we gain just as much from their enthusiasm, fresh perspectives and commitment to care. We truly value the partnership we have with Conestoga College and look forward to continuing it.”
Conestoga’s School of Community Services is a leader in translating students’ passions for working with people and making a difference in community into successful careers in human services and community safety. The clusters of Human Services programs offer a full range of programs to suit each student’s interests and career aspirations. Career-ready graduates are well-prepared to address real-world needs and make a difference in today’s rapidly changing world.