Service-learning Project. “Run Across America“. The priority focus was to advocate for and help those facing hunger across America.

Over the course of this semester and continuing through September, I have had the privilege of participating in a collaborative service-learning project, Run Across America, which is a social enterprise that began in May 2020 because of the pandemic. Run Across America was formed to support causes, such as feeding vulnerable families across America, those who are food insecure because of COVID-19. Since its inception, there has been as many as 68,000 participants who have raised money and resources to supply more than four billion meals annually for individuals and families facing food insecurity in our communities and across the country. Because countrywide lockdowns resulted in unemployment and businesses closures, the pandemic has created widespread food insecurity especially in families with young children. For the last two years, the everchanging COVID-19 virus has progressively changed our society and taken a toll on our economy. Consequently, two social determinates that I have advocated for during my involvement with Run for America includes economic stability as well as increased health and healthcare. Many citizens cannot afford food or healthcare, so my efforts with Run Across America has been rewarding, and I am grateful for this positive opportunity because it has allowed me to help not only my community but those in need across the country.

Joining Run Across America, I signed up for the event early this past July with members of my family, friends, and peers with the goal of completing a total of 50 km (about 31.07 mi) or more of running, walking, or bike-riding by Labor Day and ultimately raising money for individuals who are food insecure. As a group, we have run in neighborhoods all over Falmouth and Portland as well as Mackworth Island, Back Cove and Eastern Promenade Trails all located in Maine. We have already made great strides by exceeding the hours of 8-10 required for this course, and I am excited to continue my efforts for this wonderful cause. Overall, this service-learning opportunity aims to immerse us in the community to provide valuable support while promoting emotional, physical, and mental health for those facing hunger today. By helping those in need, as an Interpersonal Practice (IPP), our coordinated effort is also consistent with the values and ethics inherent in nursing. It has been our goal to help reverse the challenges of hunger by providing food to those in need while at the same time promoting a healthier lifestyle as well. In doing so, I have had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of IPP and I have strengthened my skills involved with the roles and responsibilities in collaborative practices including values and ethics for interprofessional practice, interprofessional communication, interprofessional teamwork and team-based care.

Throughout my experience with Run Across America, I have worked closely with family members, friends, and peers to learn about and assist individuals facing food shortages, poverty, and hunger within my community and across America. This effort has simulated my future in the interprofessional world of nursing. As a group, we delegated roles and responsibilities to ensure our efforts were successful. They pertained to deciding about the running/walking trails, maintaining suitable time management, supplying snacks and water, as well as the assignment of a leader who focused on the overall coordination of the event. At the same time, effective interprofessional communication was utilized which increased efficiency and fostered us working better as a team. For instance, we created a telephone group-chat in which we could designate times and locations, and every Sunday, we developed a weekly plan of action. In addition, we communicated online each night to ensure everyone was aware of developing details. This ensured there were no miscommunications, everyone showed up on time and was prepared which made for a smooth implementation of our plan.

Our effort with Run Across America is an example of how an IPP collaboration with effective communication can facilitate a positive outcome for those in need within our communities and across the country, such as those facing food insecurity. Although the communication was within our small group to raise awareness of the issue of hunger, additionally we can further communicate with others within our community to advocate for marginalized populations. To further facilitate positive outcomes for individuals in need, we could utilize social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook to raise awareness about the benefits of Run Across America, so others may join this wonderful cause and raise additional money and resources for those in need.

Consequently, this rewarding experience, Run Across America, has further educated me on the benefits of IPP and I now recognize that IPP is highly focused on working together cohesively to explore and improve values and ethics while striving to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need in our communities and across our country.