Casa Guadalupe Center
Title: Learning Through Service: Fostering Growth, Belonging, and Opportunity
Student Interns:
Shemar Clarke
DeSales University, School of Nursing
Alyssa King
DeSales University, Medical Studies, Physician Assistant Program
Academic Preceptor:
Tricia Bernecker, PhD, RN
DeSales University
Community Preceptor:
Andrea Wilson, DHSc, MEd
Director of Education
Casa Guadalupe Center
Community Site:
Casa Guadalupe Center is an Allentown nonprofit that has been serving the Lehigh Valley’s Latino community and low-income families since the late 1960s. Casa Guadalupe does a bit of everything to help: offering affordable healthcare and counseling through its on-site clinic, running bilingual preschool and after-school programs for local kids, and hosting daily activities and meals for seniors. On top of that, people turn to Casa Guadalupe for everyday support when they need help with issues such as navigating housing, utility bills, or language barriers.
Team’s Experience:
As teaching assistants at Casa Guadalupe Center, the interns created an engaging environment that fostered both personal growth and foundational learning for every student. Through a mix of interactive literacy activities and creative art projects, they helped children expand their minds while giving them space to express themselves. They also led lessons on the fundamentals of wellness, showing the importance of both cardiovascular and oral health in a way that was fun and easy to digest. To really bring those lessons to life, they guided the students through hands-on demonstrations, from measuring their own heart rates after quick exercise bursts to practicing proper brushing techniques on mock dental models. Seeing the kids connect the dots between creative expression and caring for their bodies made the experience deeply rewarding and impactful.
Reflections
My experience at Casa Guadeloupe has been one of laughter, fulfillment, and insight. I had the opportunity to connect with the kids, facilitate fun, engaging activities that kept them excited about the next day, and check in with them emotionally to better understand their needs and personal experiences. Through these interactions, I learned so much from working with the children, staff, and my fellow interns. While there were challenges in adapting to the classroom, navigating conflicts among kids, and managing my health during the program, I can proudly say that my time working with 4th and 5th graders has taught me compassion, patience, and resilience. These qualities will certainly guide me throughout my nursing practice and positively impact my relationships in both my personal and professional life. I’m truly happy to have facilitated the connections I formed this summer and to have been in this position as an intern.
Shemar Clarke
This summer transformed my perspective and strengthened my sense of purpose. Working alongside these children opened my eyes to the challenges many families face and the inequities in access to resources and opportunities that often go unseen. While the work was sometimes difficult, the children reminded me every day why it mattered. Their resilience, kindness, and determination taught me patience, compassion, and the value of showing up for others. The experience was incredibly rewarding and inspired a lasting commitment to helping create more equitable opportunities for the communities that need them most.
Alyssa King
