JenniferHellems

Jennifer Hellems

SOWK 350

Dr. Campbell

Journal Entry 1

Saturday, March 8, 2009

Today I worked with the Nashville Campus for Human Development. It was my first time ever participating in something such as this. I was really excited to come on this trip; I thought I would accomplish great things and meet a lot of new people.

When we first pulled up to the Campus I was instantly scared. I am not a racist person, but being a 21 year old girl raised with a caring father such as mine who led me to believe that large groups of men were scary; I instantly got a little nervous. We pulled up to a parking lot full of middle-aged black men. I honestly never went anywhere by myself. I of course was polite and courteous to all and they in turn were very respectful and polite.

The most rewarding thing was honestly just being there knowing I made a difference. We accomplished several big tasks today and when the day was done I felt great! As we were working the men were so kind and they would hold doors open for us or help us carry things. They never once seemed bothered by us when we would have to walk in front of the television or if they needed to move out of the way. They would talk to us and ask us how we were doing. I never once heard one of them complain about their arrangement or anything that was being done. I complain of so many things and constantly talk about things I want and I feel awful because these people have so little, but yet are so grateful for what they do have.

The only time I really was frustrated was when Brian and I were working on putting the cubbies that we moved from a storage shed to a cubby room inside the main building back together. It was such a pain and we worked hard on those. We had to completely put one back together and nail the backing to all of them. We had to move these huge boxes around a tiny room and try to hammer in nails that would keep bending and we would have to start over. I think we both were a little frustrated, but it was good in the end.

The one significant thing that happened while we were there other than me and Brian having a difficult time rolling the cubbies in was that one of the campus men had to be taken away in and ambulance. He was in a great deal of pain so the ambulance had to be called to come get him and take him to the hospital. I personally am not sure what was wrong or exactly what happened, but I do know that the people he was around cared enough to have something done. It was really sad to see that, but I of course pray that he is okay.