NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Approximately 50 Stephen F. Austin State University students and faculty members affiliated with the human development and family studies program recently volunteered at the Greater East Texas Community Action Program Head Start Family Fun Night.
This event engaged children enrolled in GETCAP Head Start and their families and involved a variety of activities for attendees such as musical chairs, face painting and dancing. SFA students in the human development and family studies program and courses, members of the Jacks Council on Family Relations and Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority members volunteered during the event and worked many of the activity booths.
SFA Sugar Land senior Kristin Freeman is a human development and family studies intern at Head Start in Nacogdoches and helps promote, assist and document the events the program hosts. Freeman volunteered at Family Fun Night and said she was pleased with the number of participants.
"The event taught me that when the community gets involved, everyone has a great time," Freeman said. "Each person or group of people brings a certain spark that lights up the room and adds a bit more excitement to the atmosphere around everyone."
Family Fun Night benefited GETCAP Head Start, families and children, as well as SFA students.
"The event was a great success and engaged several hundred children and their families," said Dr. Flora Farago, assistant professor in SFA's School of Human Sciences. "Students benefited by learning about developmentally appropriate activities for children and witnessing how community agencies incorporate child development theories and practice family engagement."
Alongside Farago, Dr. Lisa Mize, associate professor in the School of Human Sciences, volunteered during the event.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!