Grace Hurney
Civic Engagement
March 11, 2009.
Reflections: The Final Day
As the week came to a close, with sadness I found myself at our last day of volunteering. Well, not all sadness, cause I was tired and needed to see my parents. That aside, we began our day (again bright and early) at the Nashville Rescue Mission.
Honestly, the whole day was wonderful- I had absolutely no negative or frustrating moments. I chose to work in the kitchens instead of the basement this time, and my choice was rewarded. We worked hard, but had fun preparing and serving the food. We started off cutting bread, then progressed to cutting potatoes and de-boning turkey (not my job, I’ll stick to the vegetables). Then we served lunch, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of the whole trip. The men were so kind and grateful, and I was thankful for them allowing us to come into the Mission and accepting us instead of antagonizing us (which had happened during the week). I remember one man even gave us his address so we could be pen pals with him- if I could locate whoever is in possession of this address, I would love to write him. We then prepared more food, mainly cutting up zucchinis. We had fun while we were doing this, seeing who could peel the vegetables the fastest and so on and so forth. Then at the close of the day, we were escorted upstairs to a private dinner. When we arrived, I saw a massive amount of food, given to us as a token of the staff’s appreciation for the hard work we had put in during the week. I remember sitting in the chair, reflecting on everything we had completed in the week; everything from the frustrating to uplifting moments of the week. Despite my paint splattered jeans and lack of sleep (that’s my fault really, I should have gone to bed earlier), I would certainly repeat this experience if given the privilege to do so.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
NicoleBartley
Nicole Bartley
March 11th 2009
Reflection
Reflection: Day 5- FINAL DAY!!
So, today wasn’t as bad as other days. It wasn’t as great as yesterday, but it wasn’t as bad as the other three. We all went back the the Nashville Rescue Mission again today. We were split up into the same different acivities as before. This time though, I convinced Grace to work in the kitchen with some of the others, sure we had to wear silly plastic aprons, and crazy looking hairnets, but atleast it wasn’t as gross as that nasty, smelly, filled with mold and mildew basement (long detailed discription, I know, but it really was so much worse).
First we cut up the bread, then poured all the pepsi into large jugs, so that it was easier to serve. We also got to wrap all the silverware, and set up, then serve the drinks. I must admit I had a lot of fun with this. I got to really talk with some of the other people on the trip, who I didn’t know, or didn’t know well until then. It was nice getting to make new friends, and strengthening bonds with old ones. Around campus I don’t get to see or talk to Michelle or Tasy, or Tiffany too much, but it was really great to be able to spend time with them, and getting to know them better. They are really great people, and I am glad for and appreciate the time spent working with them on this little adventure.
After serving, we got to do a lot of other numerous things like, peel and cut potatoes, chop vegetables, and de-bone turkey (yuck!). Then, after all work was done, we got to all sit down together for a dinner the management had prepared espeshially for our group. It was an extremly tasty meal, and it showed how much the Mission really appreciated our help. To end the week of work with this dinner was pretty cool. We were all able to sit down and talk about our experiences throughout the week, and able to hear the stories of the people who weren’t in the same group as our own.
March 11th 2009
Reflection
Reflection: Day 5- FINAL DAY!!
So, today wasn’t as bad as other days. It wasn’t as great as yesterday, but it wasn’t as bad as the other three. We all went back the the Nashville Rescue Mission again today. We were split up into the same different acivities as before. This time though, I convinced Grace to work in the kitchen with some of the others, sure we had to wear silly plastic aprons, and crazy looking hairnets, but atleast it wasn’t as gross as that nasty, smelly, filled with mold and mildew basement (long detailed discription, I know, but it really was so much worse).
First we cut up the bread, then poured all the pepsi into large jugs, so that it was easier to serve. We also got to wrap all the silverware, and set up, then serve the drinks. I must admit I had a lot of fun with this. I got to really talk with some of the other people on the trip, who I didn’t know, or didn’t know well until then. It was nice getting to make new friends, and strengthening bonds with old ones. Around campus I don’t get to see or talk to Michelle or Tasy, or Tiffany too much, but it was really great to be able to spend time with them, and getting to know them better. They are really great people, and I am glad for and appreciate the time spent working with them on this little adventure.
After serving, we got to do a lot of other numerous things like, peel and cut potatoes, chop vegetables, and de-bone turkey (yuck!). Then, after all work was done, we got to all sit down together for a dinner the management had prepared espeshially for our group. It was an extremly tasty meal, and it showed how much the Mission really appreciated our help. To end the week of work with this dinner was pretty cool. We were all able to sit down and talk about our experiences throughout the week, and able to hear the stories of the people who weren’t in the same group as our own.
NicoleBartley
Nicole Bartley
March 10th 2009
Reflection
Reflection: Day Four
So, I know the last 3 day’s I had been complaining about the trip so far, this is my first day, that I was actually pleased with the work we did. Today my group went to the Music City Rescue Mission, though I’m not sure if thats the name, its something along those lines. I was incredibly pleased with today. From the moment we got there, we were put to work. Some people were sorting through clothes, others working outside, some working with food. The first thing I did was split 50lb bags of rice and beans into smaller baggies, so that they could be distributed to familys. I was really impressed with the working staff at this organization. They knew ahead of time what they needed us to do, and they had even written out a list. I’m the type of person who likes organization, and plans, so this pleased me very much. Another great thing about this place is that we were able to mingle with some of the familys that came by for help, and it was great to see that our hard work wasn’t a waste of time.
The one thing that I wasn’t happy with is that I found the Man in charge of the organization to be a little sexist. He seemed to go to the two boys, Eric, and Brian, to do the heavy lifting, even though I told him I would be able to do that as well. He basically shrugged me aside without seeing if I could actually help or not, and that got me angry. I’ve been spinning a 10lb rifle for 4 years, and shooting that same heavy rifle for 5 years, I have muscles. Instead of letting me try, Brian and Eric were left to do a lot of the work, that they really didn’t have to do. I like being tested, and I was upset that I didn’t get to be.
My favorite part of the day was when the Jennifers, Grace and I got to carry down the cubicle parts from upstairs, next door to the churches basement. It was the part in the day where I actually did get to use the strength I had and I was able to carry over parts by myself, that took two girls to do otherwise. I’m not going to lie, I was proud. At the end of the day I had felt like I did a good honest days work, and that’s the feeling I was hoping to experience throughout this trip.
Alas though, I really must include this story, though I’m sure everyone else who witnessed it spoke of this story as well. Later that day when a group of us had gone to the mall, Eric and I had seen a family there who was at the Mission earlier. While at the Mission they were taking advantage of free clothes and toys, when we saw them later at the mall, they were all wearing stylish name brand clothing, with more bags of clothes at their feet, and all with starbucks drinks in their hands. It just goes to show that anyone can cheat the system, I suppose.
March 10th 2009
Reflection
Reflection: Day Four
So, I know the last 3 day’s I had been complaining about the trip so far, this is my first day, that I was actually pleased with the work we did. Today my group went to the Music City Rescue Mission, though I’m not sure if thats the name, its something along those lines. I was incredibly pleased with today. From the moment we got there, we were put to work. Some people were sorting through clothes, others working outside, some working with food. The first thing I did was split 50lb bags of rice and beans into smaller baggies, so that they could be distributed to familys. I was really impressed with the working staff at this organization. They knew ahead of time what they needed us to do, and they had even written out a list. I’m the type of person who likes organization, and plans, so this pleased me very much. Another great thing about this place is that we were able to mingle with some of the familys that came by for help, and it was great to see that our hard work wasn’t a waste of time.
The one thing that I wasn’t happy with is that I found the Man in charge of the organization to be a little sexist. He seemed to go to the two boys, Eric, and Brian, to do the heavy lifting, even though I told him I would be able to do that as well. He basically shrugged me aside without seeing if I could actually help or not, and that got me angry. I’ve been spinning a 10lb rifle for 4 years, and shooting that same heavy rifle for 5 years, I have muscles. Instead of letting me try, Brian and Eric were left to do a lot of the work, that they really didn’t have to do. I like being tested, and I was upset that I didn’t get to be.
My favorite part of the day was when the Jennifers, Grace and I got to carry down the cubicle parts from upstairs, next door to the churches basement. It was the part in the day where I actually did get to use the strength I had and I was able to carry over parts by myself, that took two girls to do otherwise. I’m not going to lie, I was proud. At the end of the day I had felt like I did a good honest days work, and that’s the feeling I was hoping to experience throughout this trip.
Alas though, I really must include this story, though I’m sure everyone else who witnessed it spoke of this story as well. Later that day when a group of us had gone to the mall, Eric and I had seen a family there who was at the Mission earlier. While at the Mission they were taking advantage of free clothes and toys, when we saw them later at the mall, they were all wearing stylish name brand clothing, with more bags of clothes at their feet, and all with starbucks drinks in their hands. It just goes to show that anyone can cheat the system, I suppose.
NicoleBartley
Nicole Bartley
March 9th 2009
Reflection
Day Three
So, day three was a short day for me. We started off the day by everyone going to the Nashville Rescue Mission. This was my groups first day helping out at the Mission. There was a few different groups. One group went to hand out clothes, another went to work in the kitchens, a third group went to help with the classes, and a final group went to work down in the basements. The basement group is the one I was with.
I wasn’t entirly sure what we were doing with the basement stuff. We were told to sort things out, throw things away, and such like that, but I really just felt like we were moving object from point A to point B. There didn’t seem to be a plan to what we were doing, no clear difference. Though I must say, some of the stuff people donated were disgusting. Shirts were stained, blankets were torn, pillows were covered in mildew, it was gross. And worst of all, we even found a ton of underwear. I know people think they are helping by donating this, but seriously, not even homeless people are going to want to wear used underwear, that’s taking unsanitary to a whole new level. Most of the time working in the basement, we spent sitting around. There wasn’t too much we could do, we didn’t have the right equipment to move things. So the work wasn’t too hard, just gross. Unfortunatly my day ended after lunch, when I got sick and had to be taken back to the Hotel.
March 9th 2009
Reflection
Day Three
So, day three was a short day for me. We started off the day by everyone going to the Nashville Rescue Mission. This was my groups first day helping out at the Mission. There was a few different groups. One group went to hand out clothes, another went to work in the kitchens, a third group went to help with the classes, and a final group went to work down in the basements. The basement group is the one I was with.
I wasn’t entirly sure what we were doing with the basement stuff. We were told to sort things out, throw things away, and such like that, but I really just felt like we were moving object from point A to point B. There didn’t seem to be a plan to what we were doing, no clear difference. Though I must say, some of the stuff people donated were disgusting. Shirts were stained, blankets were torn, pillows were covered in mildew, it was gross. And worst of all, we even found a ton of underwear. I know people think they are helping by donating this, but seriously, not even homeless people are going to want to wear used underwear, that’s taking unsanitary to a whole new level. Most of the time working in the basement, we spent sitting around. There wasn’t too much we could do, we didn’t have the right equipment to move things. So the work wasn’t too hard, just gross. Unfortunatly my day ended after lunch, when I got sick and had to be taken back to the Hotel.
JenniferParsons
Jennifer Parsons
Reflection #4
Alternative Spring Break
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Today we got to go to a new place. We went to Music City Mission. It was ran by the people of the Church right beside of it. It was a lot cleaner and more of the norm and comfortable than the rest.
It was different in that it did not allow the homeless to stay there over night, but they provided items that are greatly needed by the homeless and less fortunate. For example, they give away clothes, but also have a limit because there is more than the one or so families that happen to come in that day who are in need of similar items. I believe that is a good thing to do because you do not want people to take more than necessary when there are others who are in dire need of those items.
When choosing what to keep and what not to, they are generous in what they give. They keep a small percentage of what is donated to them and they themselves donate the rest to other similar programs. That way, the items are not wasted and can be distributed to those to need it and do not come to their facility.
It was rewarding to actually see woman and children, rather than just the man. Do not take that the wrong way. I am not saying that it is nice to see woman and children in that state of need, but so far, we have only encountered men who need this assistance and I wanted to see the woman and children who have to face these hardships, too. It was different to see them and it is unexplainable.
Something that I keep thinking about that happened today has to do with a baby. As we were moving things from upstairs to the Church basement, I could hear a child crying. Finally, I saw that there was a baby in her car seat that had been left in the explorer all alone. After noticing, I walked inside to look for the child’s parent. I saw her mother standing there. She was showing off her dog and I realized that she had been there for a very long time. With the temperature being so warm, I felt the need to tell someone about the little girl left outside. A girl with me walked inside and told Brother Bob about the child and he went to make sure she was going to check on her child. I found that very wrong of the mother to do. That is something I will not forget. It really made me angry and aggravated me that she was paying so much attention to her dog and neglected her child. The longer she bragged about her dog and ignored her child, the more angry and aggravated I became.
Reflection #4
Alternative Spring Break
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Today we got to go to a new place. We went to Music City Mission. It was ran by the people of the Church right beside of it. It was a lot cleaner and more of the norm and comfortable than the rest.
It was different in that it did not allow the homeless to stay there over night, but they provided items that are greatly needed by the homeless and less fortunate. For example, they give away clothes, but also have a limit because there is more than the one or so families that happen to come in that day who are in need of similar items. I believe that is a good thing to do because you do not want people to take more than necessary when there are others who are in dire need of those items.
When choosing what to keep and what not to, they are generous in what they give. They keep a small percentage of what is donated to them and they themselves donate the rest to other similar programs. That way, the items are not wasted and can be distributed to those to need it and do not come to their facility.
It was rewarding to actually see woman and children, rather than just the man. Do not take that the wrong way. I am not saying that it is nice to see woman and children in that state of need, but so far, we have only encountered men who need this assistance and I wanted to see the woman and children who have to face these hardships, too. It was different to see them and it is unexplainable.
Something that I keep thinking about that happened today has to do with a baby. As we were moving things from upstairs to the Church basement, I could hear a child crying. Finally, I saw that there was a baby in her car seat that had been left in the explorer all alone. After noticing, I walked inside to look for the child’s parent. I saw her mother standing there. She was showing off her dog and I realized that she had been there for a very long time. With the temperature being so warm, I felt the need to tell someone about the little girl left outside. A girl with me walked inside and told Brother Bob about the child and he went to make sure she was going to check on her child. I found that very wrong of the mother to do. That is something I will not forget. It really made me angry and aggravated me that she was paying so much attention to her dog and neglected her child. The longer she bragged about her dog and ignored her child, the more angry and aggravated I became.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
StephenReed
Today we went back to Nashville Rescue Mission. When we first arrived we weren’t shown around NRM. It’s a very large place with each area doing something else. Like we found out that there lounge area also acts as a laundry folding area for the washing and dryer machines are housed in the same area. Since they sleep 100 people from there program that they run for different people from drug addiction to gambling addictions. Then we seen the areas where the actually men from the streets sleep which they can sleep 300 of them. They also have a section which is included with the 300 that if the gentlemen are in a wheelchair can sleep since the beds are lower making it easier for them to get into it. Then along with that they have a section that is for men who are drunk they can sleep there too but they keep them from the other guys that are sleeping so they don’t have fights. Then we met the head of the NRM –which I for got his name- he was a nice gentlemen we also met brother Thomas whom later on would be seeing over a few of us to get our work done. Our group was split up some going to the kitchen to feed people some going to educate people then some helping with moving donations out of the building sending them to Good Will. I went down to the basement to help move donations out and that’s where we met Brother Thomas again whom told us what they needed done the most and making sure we got it done. All in all I think we all did what they needed done seen for ourselves that we won’t always have mommy and daddy’s help and when life gets tough perhaps there will be people like us to give us a hand in heading into the right direction.
StephanieBailey
3/11/09 Day Five
It was almost kind of sad leaving the Rescue Mission today. I’m sure a lot of the guys working there enjoyed having us around because it made theirs jobs easier. Today was almost relaxed. We worked the whole time but I felt like I knew what I was doing for once. The guys who worked in the kitchen made it a lax environment to work in. We were finally able to serve today even though we had to stand our ground when a business company came along and tried to take our spots. Not this time. I had a lot of fun the last day we were there. I think everyone’s spirits were lifted, we knew it was our last day of work and we’d finally be able to serve.
Afterward they surprised us with a dinner. It was amazing and unexpected. Little did we know that half the things we were chopping that day would end up on our own dinner plates. It was nice to hear everyone’s stories while we ate with them as well.
Overall I think this trip was a successes, I believe that the Missions we worked at were grateful for the helping hands and it gave us an experience most college kids don’t get. I do feel however that some people from the trip didn’t realize how much work really went into this and because of that there was some drama amongst the groups. Either way I think we did a far job of not bringing that animosity with us to the Missions. I also think that if we were to ever do something like this again we should bring our own cleaning supplies. Some of the Missions were prepared for us so five people Had to sit back because we couldn’t all share one rag.
I also suggest that we work form Baltimore, or DC next time. That’s just my opinion.
It was almost kind of sad leaving the Rescue Mission today. I’m sure a lot of the guys working there enjoyed having us around because it made theirs jobs easier. Today was almost relaxed. We worked the whole time but I felt like I knew what I was doing for once. The guys who worked in the kitchen made it a lax environment to work in. We were finally able to serve today even though we had to stand our ground when a business company came along and tried to take our spots. Not this time. I had a lot of fun the last day we were there. I think everyone’s spirits were lifted, we knew it was our last day of work and we’d finally be able to serve.
Afterward they surprised us with a dinner. It was amazing and unexpected. Little did we know that half the things we were chopping that day would end up on our own dinner plates. It was nice to hear everyone’s stories while we ate with them as well.
Overall I think this trip was a successes, I believe that the Missions we worked at were grateful for the helping hands and it gave us an experience most college kids don’t get. I do feel however that some people from the trip didn’t realize how much work really went into this and because of that there was some drama amongst the groups. Either way I think we did a far job of not bringing that animosity with us to the Missions. I also think that if we were to ever do something like this again we should bring our own cleaning supplies. Some of the Missions were prepared for us so five people Had to sit back because we couldn’t all share one rag.
I also suggest that we work form Baltimore, or DC next time. That’s just my opinion.
StephanieBailey
3/17/2009 Day Four
The planets must have been out of alignment in my universe today. This trip has been white and black, hardly any grey. I lost my purse earlier today and even though the only real casualty was my check book, it’s hard to give up and keep working when you know you’re missing something. Either way I suppose I’m lucky that more wasn’t lost. Maybe I’m thinking too much but if Jesse hadn’t left/forgotten his camera/phone and I hadn’t given him mine, I probably would have put it in that bag. I’m trying to look on the bright side, really I haven’t lost anything too important but I can’t image loosing everything all at once some of the participants have.
Today’s mission was extremely organized which made everything that much easier. I bounced around from task to task mainly because there wasn’t a whole lot to do but I think our group did a sufficient job at sorting and bagging everything, including my purse.
I felt that the only snag today was the owners. They seemed to bicker with each other more often then necessary. Maybe that was just me though. I’m trying to refrain from regretting the day’s events back in words.
This trip thus far has been extremely tiring, mentally and physically. The manual labor takes it’s toll but the atmosphere does it’s share. I saw families come in today and I thought “that’s so sad, they have four children and they all have to wear give-away clothes” but then I saw that they smiling. The children didn’t know the difference and the parents smiled and thanked everyone. I hated give-outs. I hated digging through clothes bins. Most of the time the places and bins smelled and I was just so uncomfortable that I would beg my mother to let me leave. The Music City Rescue Mission made it seem like they were shopping. Free shopping, the best kind. It took the “picking” out of hand-outs. They didn’t have to dig around like animals in the dirt just for clothes.
When ever we got food from the shelters or churched they were always canned goods. There was never anything fresh. MCR Mission gave out meals that could serve quite a few. Whenever we got food it was always the oddest combinations. My mother had to get pretty creative with her cooking.
The planets must have been out of alignment in my universe today. This trip has been white and black, hardly any grey. I lost my purse earlier today and even though the only real casualty was my check book, it’s hard to give up and keep working when you know you’re missing something. Either way I suppose I’m lucky that more wasn’t lost. Maybe I’m thinking too much but if Jesse hadn’t left/forgotten his camera/phone and I hadn’t given him mine, I probably would have put it in that bag. I’m trying to look on the bright side, really I haven’t lost anything too important but I can’t image loosing everything all at once some of the participants have.
Today’s mission was extremely organized which made everything that much easier. I bounced around from task to task mainly because there wasn’t a whole lot to do but I think our group did a sufficient job at sorting and bagging everything, including my purse.
I felt that the only snag today was the owners. They seemed to bicker with each other more often then necessary. Maybe that was just me though. I’m trying to refrain from regretting the day’s events back in words.
This trip thus far has been extremely tiring, mentally and physically. The manual labor takes it’s toll but the atmosphere does it’s share. I saw families come in today and I thought “that’s so sad, they have four children and they all have to wear give-away clothes” but then I saw that they smiling. The children didn’t know the difference and the parents smiled and thanked everyone. I hated give-outs. I hated digging through clothes bins. Most of the time the places and bins smelled and I was just so uncomfortable that I would beg my mother to let me leave. The Music City Rescue Mission made it seem like they were shopping. Free shopping, the best kind. It took the “picking” out of hand-outs. They didn’t have to dig around like animals in the dirt just for clothes.
When ever we got food from the shelters or churched they were always canned goods. There was never anything fresh. MCR Mission gave out meals that could serve quite a few. Whenever we got food it was always the oddest combinations. My mother had to get pretty creative with her cooking.
StephanieBailey
3/17/2009 Day Three
Today’s work was more about getting to know the people the worked within the mission. They were extremely friendly and everyone was open to share their story of how and why they ended up where they did. I was also fortunate enough to be able to share my reason for being here. We met a man named Willie that told us that he had to leave everything behind including a wife, business and two children. He also told me that his little girl’s name was Bailey. Getting to work in the kitchens was so much better then on campus. I had a funny feeling when I was on campus. I feel as if our being there was being drained for all it’s worth. That the campus suddenly decided they had all this work to do. There were little things that bothered me greatly. Just the fact that the inside was filthy told me that they really didn’t care to much but figured they’d take the help they were offered. Either way I was glad to help. The only thing I have against the place was that it made me uneasy because the participants were just loose. If one of them decided to do some damage, who was there to do anything about it? Wendy?
I also felt that the mission system was structurally more sound. They had a program and the participants knew it but heart, I feel as if the other campus was just a come and go as you please kind of deal.
Some of the students seem to have gotten weary already. I heard there were multiple cases of people falling asleep. I wish there some way of “weeding” out people who treat this as a free trip to Nashville. I think there are way too many party people here. They roll their eyes when the day’s schedule is announced and complain the entire time. They’re pretty much a buzz kill.
Today’s work was more about getting to know the people the worked within the mission. They were extremely friendly and everyone was open to share their story of how and why they ended up where they did. I was also fortunate enough to be able to share my reason for being here. We met a man named Willie that told us that he had to leave everything behind including a wife, business and two children. He also told me that his little girl’s name was Bailey. Getting to work in the kitchens was so much better then on campus. I had a funny feeling when I was on campus. I feel as if our being there was being drained for all it’s worth. That the campus suddenly decided they had all this work to do. There were little things that bothered me greatly. Just the fact that the inside was filthy told me that they really didn’t care to much but figured they’d take the help they were offered. Either way I was glad to help. The only thing I have against the place was that it made me uneasy because the participants were just loose. If one of them decided to do some damage, who was there to do anything about it? Wendy?
I also felt that the mission system was structurally more sound. They had a program and the participants knew it but heart, I feel as if the other campus was just a come and go as you please kind of deal.
Some of the students seem to have gotten weary already. I heard there were multiple cases of people falling asleep. I wish there some way of “weeding” out people who treat this as a free trip to Nashville. I think there are way too many party people here. They roll their eyes when the day’s schedule is announced and complain the entire time. They’re pretty much a buzz kill.
StephanieBailey
3/17/2009 Day two
The Frist museum for Visual Arts was quite wonderful. I was surprised by it’s size, it looks so large from the outside and yet it only had three exhibits. I also thought it was weird that the gift shop pushed Rodin’s The Thinker so much and yet, it wasn’t there, in it’s originality or otherwise. Either way the focus for our going was the Safe Haven exhibit. This line was much different from what I gathered from the Campus for Human Development. Safe Haven put a face to each story. The video was a little sad and I hate to keep going back to my own story but the Wiltkins’s story was so much like my own that I really felt for them.
I could also appreciate the exhibit for it’s artistic value. The photographs were very unique and artistically done with the super imposed photos on top of the originals. I also took notice that the children got to choose how they wanted their photos to be taken which tells a lot more then just a headshot.
I know it doesn’t really apply but what I really enjoyed was the Paint in Flesh exhibit. I thought it was astounding and took a lot from it. I suppose the reason why is because I’m an art major and while the Safe Haven pictures were enlightening, the other artwork meant more to me. I hope this doesn’t make me sound nonchalant. I appreciate what these people have to go through but it really doesn’t have that big of an impact because I’ve lived that live, I understand it firsthand.
The Frist museum for Visual Arts was quite wonderful. I was surprised by it’s size, it looks so large from the outside and yet it only had three exhibits. I also thought it was weird that the gift shop pushed Rodin’s The Thinker so much and yet, it wasn’t there, in it’s originality or otherwise. Either way the focus for our going was the Safe Haven exhibit. This line was much different from what I gathered from the Campus for Human Development. Safe Haven put a face to each story. The video was a little sad and I hate to keep going back to my own story but the Wiltkins’s story was so much like my own that I really felt for them.
I could also appreciate the exhibit for it’s artistic value. The photographs were very unique and artistically done with the super imposed photos on top of the originals. I also took notice that the children got to choose how they wanted their photos to be taken which tells a lot more then just a headshot.
I know it doesn’t really apply but what I really enjoyed was the Paint in Flesh exhibit. I thought it was astounding and took a lot from it. I suppose the reason why is because I’m an art major and while the Safe Haven pictures were enlightening, the other artwork meant more to me. I hope this doesn’t make me sound nonchalant. I appreciate what these people have to go through but it really doesn’t have that big of an impact because I’ve lived that live, I understand it firsthand.
StephanieBailey
3/17/2009 Day one
Today was an eye opener for most but for me it was a way for me to give back to a community that had taken care of me when I was younger. My Mother and Father had always had a rough relationship and so when we needed to escape and had no where to go, we ended up at a shelter similar to the one we were at today. On my recent trip back to Baltimore, I passed by that shelter and saw that it was in complete ruins. It was rundown, empty, and there were homeless people perched on the marble stairs. I remember now, my hand print and name are some where in the building on one of the walls. It crushed me to think that I had no way of thanking anyone who had helped us out. When I heard that there was going to be a trip into Nashville that focused on homelessness I jumped at the chance to repay the “debt.”
I never really realized how that time had effected me until I sat in the National Rescue Mission’s cafeteria. I could remember that because of overpopulation, they had to set us up in cots in the cafeteria. I remembered not understanding why we couldn’t go home, why I couldn’t see my Dad and why we had to live with a bunch of strangers. Not only that but when my Mother was growing up she was often homeless too. She was a runaway by nature and so she bounced around between girl’s homes and shelters. Unlike what I experienced, I was surprised to find that the shelter provided so many different programs. I always remembered being bored because there was nothing to do and for some reason I wasn’t allowed to play with the other children. I wish now that we had had some sort of art program rather then just the colouring book and crayon set I was given to play with. I also think the point system is brilliant. I’m sure that if we had something like that in the shelters in Baltimore, people wouldn’t come and go so often. My mother always said that she didn’t like hand-outs and even though she was at a shelter she wanted to work for what we were given. So I think the point system eliminates some of the helpless feelings as well as provides the participants with a fair way to earn supplies.
One thing that bothered me was how dirty every things was. There were a few art pieces made by participants hanging around that were caked with dirt. I can understand that they just don’t have the time to go out and trim hedges or repaint bathrooms like they’d want to but a simple maintenance cleanup shouldn’t be a problem.
Today was an eye opener for most but for me it was a way for me to give back to a community that had taken care of me when I was younger. My Mother and Father had always had a rough relationship and so when we needed to escape and had no where to go, we ended up at a shelter similar to the one we were at today. On my recent trip back to Baltimore, I passed by that shelter and saw that it was in complete ruins. It was rundown, empty, and there were homeless people perched on the marble stairs. I remember now, my hand print and name are some where in the building on one of the walls. It crushed me to think that I had no way of thanking anyone who had helped us out. When I heard that there was going to be a trip into Nashville that focused on homelessness I jumped at the chance to repay the “debt.”
I never really realized how that time had effected me until I sat in the National Rescue Mission’s cafeteria. I could remember that because of overpopulation, they had to set us up in cots in the cafeteria. I remembered not understanding why we couldn’t go home, why I couldn’t see my Dad and why we had to live with a bunch of strangers. Not only that but when my Mother was growing up she was often homeless too. She was a runaway by nature and so she bounced around between girl’s homes and shelters. Unlike what I experienced, I was surprised to find that the shelter provided so many different programs. I always remembered being bored because there was nothing to do and for some reason I wasn’t allowed to play with the other children. I wish now that we had had some sort of art program rather then just the colouring book and crayon set I was given to play with. I also think the point system is brilliant. I’m sure that if we had something like that in the shelters in Baltimore, people wouldn’t come and go so often. My mother always said that she didn’t like hand-outs and even though she was at a shelter she wanted to work for what we were given. So I think the point system eliminates some of the helpless feelings as well as provides the participants with a fair way to earn supplies.
One thing that bothered me was how dirty every things was. There were a few art pieces made by participants hanging around that were caked with dirt. I can understand that they just don’t have the time to go out and trim hedges or repaint bathrooms like they’d want to but a simple maintenance cleanup shouldn’t be a problem.
VirginiaVerburg
Final Reflection
Virginia Verburg
The trip to Nashville was a very enlightening experience for me. At first I was scared of what I had gotten myself into, but eventually I realized how caring and appreciative some of the clients we helped out could be. I don’t think that any of the students that went on the trip can walk away as the same person they used to be. On the trip I learned to be more tolerant, to not judge people based on their past, and I realized that everyone has potential to turn their life around.
Working in the GED classes was the most rewarding part of the trip. As an education major, I definitely worked with a group of people that many people in my profession have not. It was difficult to look at the board in the Nashville Rescue Mission and see so many people my age. I also taught one of the men in the reading class who was 21. Everyone has a story about why they were there or had been there. It could have been drugs, alcohol, abuse, criminal activity, or just plain bad luck. I started the trip honestly thinking that the people I was helping wouldn’t appreciate the help we were giving them or use it properly. Now I’m not sure why I thought that.
In the GED classes I met a man named Jerome. He had a hard time with spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and remembering what he had read. While I was helping him with his work he opened up to me about his life through the passages. One time he told me about a cat his grandma used to have. He was also very surprised to learn that gorillas could use sign language to communicate with humans. Teaching and working with him gave me the same satisfaction as it would to teach an elementary student. Everyone has the potential to learn. The men at the mission have a lot to learn and more importantly they want to learn. It was great to see so many people trying to do better and get their GED.
Another part of the trip that really touched me was working in the Music City Mission. Although I didn’t get to interact very much with the clients that came in, it was so nice to see the faces of the mothers and children we were working for. One of the students knew Spanish and was able to translate some for the women and children. I think more people need to volunteer there that can speak Spanish. I could tell it really helped them a lot by having a translator. Something that was a little upsetting to me was that there was a limit to how many diapers mothers were allowed to have. I would hate to think that a child had to stay in a dirty diaper or none at all. There were so many clothes and bedding at the mission and it really warmed my heart to see how many people donated.
The part of the trip that touched me the most were three gentlemen that worked in the Nashville Rescue Mission. One of them had been in the program before, graduated, and was now working for the mission. He held an amazing dinner for all of us that I never expected. While I enjoyed the food he prepared for us I found myself feeling guilty that others could not share the meal with us. Another gentlemen was the kitchen manager who I worked with a few times. His daughter had went missing and he was very worried about her but still came to work and worked as hard as he would any other day. I was amazed to see him working so diligently and I was glad to pray with him before we left. The last gentlemen was a man I had not met but who knew other students there. He came into the computer lab while a few of us were working and prayed for all of us, our friends, and our families. He didn’t pray a single word for himself and it really touched my heart that he truly cared about us.
By Thursday I found myself wanting to go back to the mission to keep helping out there. I loved working in the classrooms and I wish I could have spent more time there. The trip truly opened my mind and exposed me to a lot of things I would have never known about the homeless population. I am very grateful for the experience and I will never forget the time I spent there.
Virginia Verburg
The trip to Nashville was a very enlightening experience for me. At first I was scared of what I had gotten myself into, but eventually I realized how caring and appreciative some of the clients we helped out could be. I don’t think that any of the students that went on the trip can walk away as the same person they used to be. On the trip I learned to be more tolerant, to not judge people based on their past, and I realized that everyone has potential to turn their life around.
Working in the GED classes was the most rewarding part of the trip. As an education major, I definitely worked with a group of people that many people in my profession have not. It was difficult to look at the board in the Nashville Rescue Mission and see so many people my age. I also taught one of the men in the reading class who was 21. Everyone has a story about why they were there or had been there. It could have been drugs, alcohol, abuse, criminal activity, or just plain bad luck. I started the trip honestly thinking that the people I was helping wouldn’t appreciate the help we were giving them or use it properly. Now I’m not sure why I thought that.
In the GED classes I met a man named Jerome. He had a hard time with spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and remembering what he had read. While I was helping him with his work he opened up to me about his life through the passages. One time he told me about a cat his grandma used to have. He was also very surprised to learn that gorillas could use sign language to communicate with humans. Teaching and working with him gave me the same satisfaction as it would to teach an elementary student. Everyone has the potential to learn. The men at the mission have a lot to learn and more importantly they want to learn. It was great to see so many people trying to do better and get their GED.
Another part of the trip that really touched me was working in the Music City Mission. Although I didn’t get to interact very much with the clients that came in, it was so nice to see the faces of the mothers and children we were working for. One of the students knew Spanish and was able to translate some for the women and children. I think more people need to volunteer there that can speak Spanish. I could tell it really helped them a lot by having a translator. Something that was a little upsetting to me was that there was a limit to how many diapers mothers were allowed to have. I would hate to think that a child had to stay in a dirty diaper or none at all. There were so many clothes and bedding at the mission and it really warmed my heart to see how many people donated.
The part of the trip that touched me the most were three gentlemen that worked in the Nashville Rescue Mission. One of them had been in the program before, graduated, and was now working for the mission. He held an amazing dinner for all of us that I never expected. While I enjoyed the food he prepared for us I found myself feeling guilty that others could not share the meal with us. Another gentlemen was the kitchen manager who I worked with a few times. His daughter had went missing and he was very worried about her but still came to work and worked as hard as he would any other day. I was amazed to see him working so diligently and I was glad to pray with him before we left. The last gentlemen was a man I had not met but who knew other students there. He came into the computer lab while a few of us were working and prayed for all of us, our friends, and our families. He didn’t pray a single word for himself and it really touched my heart that he truly cared about us.
By Thursday I found myself wanting to go back to the mission to keep helping out there. I loved working in the classrooms and I wish I could have spent more time there. The trip truly opened my mind and exposed me to a lot of things I would have never known about the homeless population. I am very grateful for the experience and I will never forget the time I spent there.
ChristineFernandes
Reflection
We spent our last day on our alternate spring break back at the Nashville rescue mission this time round I was placed in the kitchen. We were greeted by two people who appeared to supervise the kitchen Mike was one of them he was a tall guy with a warm smile, he asked us to clean potatoes and chop up bread. I was glad to finally get to work in the kitchen even if it was the last day since I wanted to know how and where the food came from. I looked at the packages carrying the bread most of them were donations from bakeries days’ old bread that they would normally get of the shelves. The people working in the kitchen appear to be happy at work and it seems to me as though they enjoy the wok they do, every pair of hands is put to work and everyone works to help each other. The supervisors and the people working in the kitchen were extremely patient and understanding in explain to us how to do different tasks. I got around to talk to one or two of the people working there I nicknamed one of the men Bernie Mack as a joke as he was very funny, Mike was my favorite person to work with and always seemed to have something for us to do. Later we were asked to sort out through boiled out turkey the bones and then the pastries that seemed to me donated by the dozens. My favorite part of the day was when we were asked to serve the food to the incoming participants. Apart from the many thank you’s we got the smiles and blessings made my day.The Mission asked us to stay for dinner as they said they were preparing a big dinner for us. I thought that it was extremely generous and thoughtful of them to do so. When we had finished working for the day and we were surprised when all of us were lead to the conference room set aside for business events beautifully setup with fancy table wear and food set as a thank you to us for our service. After a word from the site supervisor we ate and thanked the people who served us. We were given a chance to get to know the people while we were eating as they joined us at the tables. We were not allowed to take clean up or help out, it was a great feeling to be appreciated so much for the work we did and to be thanked over and over again. I imagine this experience to be one of the best I have ever had and even remember a comment that one of the participants had passed, “ I cant believe you guys gave up spring break to help out here”. That comment now strikes me as odd now as all I can remember is going more than I expected in character and good times.
Thank you Bonner! =)
We spent our last day on our alternate spring break back at the Nashville rescue mission this time round I was placed in the kitchen. We were greeted by two people who appeared to supervise the kitchen Mike was one of them he was a tall guy with a warm smile, he asked us to clean potatoes and chop up bread. I was glad to finally get to work in the kitchen even if it was the last day since I wanted to know how and where the food came from. I looked at the packages carrying the bread most of them were donations from bakeries days’ old bread that they would normally get of the shelves. The people working in the kitchen appear to be happy at work and it seems to me as though they enjoy the wok they do, every pair of hands is put to work and everyone works to help each other. The supervisors and the people working in the kitchen were extremely patient and understanding in explain to us how to do different tasks. I got around to talk to one or two of the people working there I nicknamed one of the men Bernie Mack as a joke as he was very funny, Mike was my favorite person to work with and always seemed to have something for us to do. Later we were asked to sort out through boiled out turkey the bones and then the pastries that seemed to me donated by the dozens. My favorite part of the day was when we were asked to serve the food to the incoming participants. Apart from the many thank you’s we got the smiles and blessings made my day.The Mission asked us to stay for dinner as they said they were preparing a big dinner for us. I thought that it was extremely generous and thoughtful of them to do so. When we had finished working for the day and we were surprised when all of us were lead to the conference room set aside for business events beautifully setup with fancy table wear and food set as a thank you to us for our service. After a word from the site supervisor we ate and thanked the people who served us. We were given a chance to get to know the people while we were eating as they joined us at the tables. We were not allowed to take clean up or help out, it was a great feeling to be appreciated so much for the work we did and to be thanked over and over again. I imagine this experience to be one of the best I have ever had and even remember a comment that one of the participants had passed, “ I cant believe you guys gave up spring break to help out here”. That comment now strikes me as odd now as all I can remember is going more than I expected in character and good times.
Thank you Bonner! =)
PradipAdhikari
Journal
4th day
Pradip Adhikari
10/03/09
Sally Campbell, Ph.D.
Campus for Human Development
Today was fourth day of our trip. We had to work for the Campus for Human Development for today. Campus for Human Development is the privately organized organization which has been helping homeless people with different kinds of services. We reached over there at 9 AM. We met windy over there who was a very good person. She was the director of the Campus for the Human Development.
We had a trip around the Campus for the Human Development first. Windy told us about different kinds of the services that were provided to the homeless people over there. She talked about the beds, classes, food and other different facilities that were provided to the homeless people over there. As she talked about Campus for the Human Development we got to know that it was an organization that helped the homeless people not only by providing them food and shelter but also they were educating those people so that they could stand in the society and live a normal life as other people. They were also helping homeless people to find a matching job so that they could earn their own living and go back to their community. We got to know that every people there were taught to be a good human being. Windy also showed the new project they were having according to which they were building some more buildings so that they could help more people and provide some more facility. After the trip we started our work. We had to paint the bathroom over there for today, it was fun. We painted four bathrooms, as we painted bathrooms we met some homeless people who had been using the facilities over there. All those people were very good people, they welcomed us and even thanked for the effort made by us.
After we were done with work Windy gave us a paper which was talking about the Campus for Human Development “Through the power of spirituality and the practice of love, the Campus for Human Development provides hospitality with a respect that offers hope in a community of non-violence.” That was exactly what we got to see at the Campus for the Human Development. Spirituality, Love, Hospitality, Respect, Hope, Community, and Non-violence were the human behaviors that were taught to the people over there. We could see spirituality, love, hospitality, respect, hope, community and non-violence as the pillars of the life aspect of the people over there. They were trying learning those aspects and using them in their day to day to life so that they could be independent and live their own life. Overall we had a very good time over there and got to learn something more about the homeless people today.
4th day
Pradip Adhikari
10/03/09
Sally Campbell, Ph.D.
Campus for Human Development
Today was fourth day of our trip. We had to work for the Campus for Human Development for today. Campus for Human Development is the privately organized organization which has been helping homeless people with different kinds of services. We reached over there at 9 AM. We met windy over there who was a very good person. She was the director of the Campus for the Human Development.
We had a trip around the Campus for the Human Development first. Windy told us about different kinds of the services that were provided to the homeless people over there. She talked about the beds, classes, food and other different facilities that were provided to the homeless people over there. As she talked about Campus for the Human Development we got to know that it was an organization that helped the homeless people not only by providing them food and shelter but also they were educating those people so that they could stand in the society and live a normal life as other people. They were also helping homeless people to find a matching job so that they could earn their own living and go back to their community. We got to know that every people there were taught to be a good human being. Windy also showed the new project they were having according to which they were building some more buildings so that they could help more people and provide some more facility. After the trip we started our work. We had to paint the bathroom over there for today, it was fun. We painted four bathrooms, as we painted bathrooms we met some homeless people who had been using the facilities over there. All those people were very good people, they welcomed us and even thanked for the effort made by us.
After we were done with work Windy gave us a paper which was talking about the Campus for Human Development “Through the power of spirituality and the practice of love, the Campus for Human Development provides hospitality with a respect that offers hope in a community of non-violence.” That was exactly what we got to see at the Campus for the Human Development. Spirituality, Love, Hospitality, Respect, Hope, Community, and Non-violence were the human behaviors that were taught to the people over there. We could see spirituality, love, hospitality, respect, hope, community and non-violence as the pillars of the life aspect of the people over there. They were trying learning those aspects and using them in their day to day to life so that they could be independent and live their own life. Overall we had a very good time over there and got to learn something more about the homeless people today.
Monday, March 16, 2009
KristinaChampe
Kristina Champe
Alternative Spring Break
Reflection
Day 5
Today was our last day at the Nashville Rescue Mission. It was pretty sad but we all made the best of it. All of the groups split up to do different things and it was super fun. This time some of the girls went up to help teach the GED classes. They said they had a great time. The group that I was apart of was down in the basement, and we separated some canned goods into boxes to make it easier for them to see what they had. Some of the others cleared off shelves to make room for some cans because we had so many. I swear we had 3 huge boxes of green beans and 2 big boxes of corn. It was fun and chaotic all at the same time! We took a break and ate lunch which was actually really good so that was nice, and while we were eating we were wondering what we were going to be doing for dinner. A girl from the group said that she had heard that the people at the mission had made a special dinner for us. We were so excited. After lunch we went back to our duties in the basement and it was so much fun. I took pictures and everyone seemed to be in better spirits. Of course there were some people whose favorite spot happened to be the benches in the bathroom; they were dubbed the “texting benches”. They were for girls who were tired of ‘working’ and decided they would go hide out in the bathroom and text. This was disrespectful and lazy on so many levels. Anyway, after we got finished working we went upstairs to the dinning hall and waited a few minutes for dinner. To our surprise they took us out of the dinning hall and into a conference room where they had decorated it very nice and had amazing food. We were so happy, and they main guy who was there in charge, gave a little speech and said they were so thankful that we came that week and he thanked us for everything. I almost cried I was so happy! After we ate I was sad that we were leaving and not coming back the next day.
This trip has helped me in so many ways. I will never take anything I have for granted, and I will learn to enjoy life, because you never know what will happen. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend this trip and I hope that Concord offers more trips like this for students in the future. I think that students could really benefit from this!
Thanks again to everyone who helped make this trip possible!
Alternative Spring Break
Reflection
Day 5
Today was our last day at the Nashville Rescue Mission. It was pretty sad but we all made the best of it. All of the groups split up to do different things and it was super fun. This time some of the girls went up to help teach the GED classes. They said they had a great time. The group that I was apart of was down in the basement, and we separated some canned goods into boxes to make it easier for them to see what they had. Some of the others cleared off shelves to make room for some cans because we had so many. I swear we had 3 huge boxes of green beans and 2 big boxes of corn. It was fun and chaotic all at the same time! We took a break and ate lunch which was actually really good so that was nice, and while we were eating we were wondering what we were going to be doing for dinner. A girl from the group said that she had heard that the people at the mission had made a special dinner for us. We were so excited. After lunch we went back to our duties in the basement and it was so much fun. I took pictures and everyone seemed to be in better spirits. Of course there were some people whose favorite spot happened to be the benches in the bathroom; they were dubbed the “texting benches”. They were for girls who were tired of ‘working’ and decided they would go hide out in the bathroom and text. This was disrespectful and lazy on so many levels. Anyway, after we got finished working we went upstairs to the dinning hall and waited a few minutes for dinner. To our surprise they took us out of the dinning hall and into a conference room where they had decorated it very nice and had amazing food. We were so happy, and they main guy who was there in charge, gave a little speech and said they were so thankful that we came that week and he thanked us for everything. I almost cried I was so happy! After we ate I was sad that we were leaving and not coming back the next day.
This trip has helped me in so many ways. I will never take anything I have for granted, and I will learn to enjoy life, because you never know what will happen. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend this trip and I hope that Concord offers more trips like this for students in the future. I think that students could really benefit from this!
Thanks again to everyone who helped make this trip possible!
MeganWebber
Megan Webber
ASB Reflections
March 11, 2009
Today was spent at Campus for Human Development, and I absolutely loved it. If it ever crossed my mind to work in the community development area of Social Work this would be what I wanted to do, and more than likely I’d want to return and work with Wendy and Campus for Human Development. Compared to the Nashville Rescue Mission, it was a 110% difference and change in atmosphere. When we first entered the building today it just seemed so much homier. There were people hanging out outside just sitting on benches and chairs enjoy the nice day, while people inside were watching TV or talking to others. It was like there was a level of freedom there that gave them the opportunity to just take a load off and enjoy some free time off the streets of Nashville.
Wendy has worked at CHD for a year and a half now, but volunteered for about 7 years before this. With this being said, you can really tell that the men and women that come through the doors of the establishment truly respect her. Someone asked how she gained so much respect and the main thing she said when responding was that she gives the people their respect back. While at CHD a couple of our group members were sorting books and making sure they were in good condition. While we were all sitting outside doing this there was a conflict between one of the workers and a homeless man. I’m not sure about the exact details, but the homeless man acted like he was going to jump at the worker. Wendy walked over just to ask what was going on and the homeless man walked away and didn’t even pursue the confrontation with the other man. To me, that showed a definite level of respect for Wendy. He respected her enough to just walk away, even though he was obviously very angry, and not just ignore her concerns.
I got a chance to talk to some of the women entering CDH, and spent a lot of time talking to this one woman in particular. When I asked if she would be willing to tell me her story she opened right up and said she was a domestic violence victim. She talked a lot about how, although she’s homeless and her life isn’t wonderful, she needed to leave her boyfriend to save her life. She, also, talked about previous times she had run away from her boyfriend he had found her even when she had gone to a different state. It was just really scary, and made me feel hopeless just listening to her story. I can’t imagine how she feels, but she did the right thing by leaving her husband, and hopefully it ends up being that her life is saved. She really impacted me a lot and I was very grateful to be able to have the opportunity to hear her story.
Today was an awesome day! Wendy took time to explain why we were doing certain things so it really felt like we were making small differences and accomplishing small tasks that would eventually go towards something in the bigger picture. The mission statement for Campus for Human Development is the following: “Through the power of spirituality and the practice of love, the Campus for Human Development provides hospitality with respect that offers hope in a community or non-violence.” The seven bolded words are the core values they believe in. I experienced something I could relate to each of these seven words today. The atmosphere and power that the Campus of Human Development generates is amazing, and the people that enter through the doors of that small building are truly blessed.
ASB Reflections
March 11, 2009
Today was spent at Campus for Human Development, and I absolutely loved it. If it ever crossed my mind to work in the community development area of Social Work this would be what I wanted to do, and more than likely I’d want to return and work with Wendy and Campus for Human Development. Compared to the Nashville Rescue Mission, it was a 110% difference and change in atmosphere. When we first entered the building today it just seemed so much homier. There were people hanging out outside just sitting on benches and chairs enjoy the nice day, while people inside were watching TV or talking to others. It was like there was a level of freedom there that gave them the opportunity to just take a load off and enjoy some free time off the streets of Nashville.
Wendy has worked at CHD for a year and a half now, but volunteered for about 7 years before this. With this being said, you can really tell that the men and women that come through the doors of the establishment truly respect her. Someone asked how she gained so much respect and the main thing she said when responding was that she gives the people their respect back. While at CHD a couple of our group members were sorting books and making sure they were in good condition. While we were all sitting outside doing this there was a conflict between one of the workers and a homeless man. I’m not sure about the exact details, but the homeless man acted like he was going to jump at the worker. Wendy walked over just to ask what was going on and the homeless man walked away and didn’t even pursue the confrontation with the other man. To me, that showed a definite level of respect for Wendy. He respected her enough to just walk away, even though he was obviously very angry, and not just ignore her concerns.
I got a chance to talk to some of the women entering CDH, and spent a lot of time talking to this one woman in particular. When I asked if she would be willing to tell me her story she opened right up and said she was a domestic violence victim. She talked a lot about how, although she’s homeless and her life isn’t wonderful, she needed to leave her boyfriend to save her life. She, also, talked about previous times she had run away from her boyfriend he had found her even when she had gone to a different state. It was just really scary, and made me feel hopeless just listening to her story. I can’t imagine how she feels, but she did the right thing by leaving her husband, and hopefully it ends up being that her life is saved. She really impacted me a lot and I was very grateful to be able to have the opportunity to hear her story.
Today was an awesome day! Wendy took time to explain why we were doing certain things so it really felt like we were making small differences and accomplishing small tasks that would eventually go towards something in the bigger picture. The mission statement for Campus for Human Development is the following: “Through the power of spirituality and the practice of love, the Campus for Human Development provides hospitality with respect that offers hope in a community or non-violence.” The seven bolded words are the core values they believe in. I experienced something I could relate to each of these seven words today. The atmosphere and power that the Campus of Human Development generates is amazing, and the people that enter through the doors of that small building are truly blessed.
VanVu
Entry for March 8th, 2009
2:00 a.m, we were still awake! After a hard-working day, nobody wanted to go to bed soon. Our roommates were chatting on Facebook and listening to music while Mai, Tung and I were playing cards. We offered a funny rule that each loser will be drawn one thing on his or her face by the winner. Unfortunately, it turned out that I was the only person who had so many pictures that I bet you couldn’t find any free space left on my face. That was the time we decided to stop the game. However, we still did not go to bed after that. Tung and Mai watched movies when I was chatting with my friends back home. Today is International Women’s day in Vietnam. On this day, we celebrate it; all the women (and the girls as well) are received all the priorities, the presents, the colorful flowers and the best greetings from the men and from the other girls who care about them (It’s normally their children, sisters or colleagues). I was so happy to receive my friends’ greetings and to send mine to the others.
4:00 a.m, I finally wanted to go to bed. My eyes were so tired and so hurt that they even didn’t want to open. Mai and Tung have felt asleep. Tung slept so smoothly that I didn’t want to wake him up. “Ok! It’s fine, so today we have an extra roommate and an extra bedmate”, I thought, “at least, 3 of us (Mai, Tung and I) were all so skinny that we could fit in one bed”.
11:50 a.m, I woke up after hearing something a little bit noisy. Our roommates have waken up and had breakfast. “Oh, man!!! I miss my breakfast again!”, I said. We were going to have a meeting at 12:30pm so I had to dress up quickly. Today we would go to the Nashville Visual Art. We had lunch at there. When lining up, I read the menu. They had nothing but salads, sandwiches and some kids’ choices. I don’t like any salads as well as sandwiches. I had no idea what I would offer but French fries. After seeing the table which wrote all today’s special offers, I almost jumped up because they had Cheese pizza, one of my favorite food. However, it might not be my good-luck day after all when the salesman said that my cheese pizza had totally gone. I was so mad and reluctantly changed my order to something called Grilled chicken wrap. I thought that it was a kind of chicken tender and almost forgot about the “wrap” word. The only thing that I concentrated on is that my empty stomach was going on strike and my powerless body was playing the crazily hungry dancing. After ten minutes waiting for the food, the beautiful waitress finally brought my meal to my table. The Grilled chicken wrap is totally green, cold and absolutely pukable (at least is with me). I only ate French fries to fill my stomach and keep me alive until the dinner.
After lunch, we went into the Visual art. The first floor had nothing but the pictures & sculptures. It’s almost about the sacrifice of Christ, the sacred of Jesus, the purity of the Virgin and the baby. The artworks are collected mostly from French and Germany. I’m not a religious person and I have no idea about Jesus as well as the Christians. However, when I looked at the artworks and their descriptions, I knew that Jesus was betrayed because of posing as God’s son and finally was nailed up on a cross. I saw many sculptures which craved the death of Jesus. They all were so precise and show up the sacred, proud and grave feeling of the death. I only feel excited with & interesting in the sculptures, which could attract my eyes & my attention, which are something that I can look at all the small details and having a visual feeling of material & 3- dimensions structure. Therefore I only spend my time before the big sculptures and keep watching them with ease.
After finish watching all the sculptures in the first floor, I climbed upstairs and did some artwork by myself. It’s extremely a blast when I could draw, print and design whatever I want to. We left the Nashville Visual Art around 5:00 pm and burst out. Some of my friends who live in Nashville came to pick Mai, Tung and I up to a Vietnamese restaurant called “Kien Giang”. We had a great dinner, and then went around Nashville to enjoy the beautiful sight at night since all the Malls and entertainment place were closed at 6:00pm. Enjoying the rest of Sunday by playing some cards and pokers with my friends, I actually had so much fun as well as plentiful of great pictures for today (that couldn’t be written in only two pages, of course)!
2:00 a.m, we were still awake! After a hard-working day, nobody wanted to go to bed soon. Our roommates were chatting on Facebook and listening to music while Mai, Tung and I were playing cards. We offered a funny rule that each loser will be drawn one thing on his or her face by the winner. Unfortunately, it turned out that I was the only person who had so many pictures that I bet you couldn’t find any free space left on my face. That was the time we decided to stop the game. However, we still did not go to bed after that. Tung and Mai watched movies when I was chatting with my friends back home. Today is International Women’s day in Vietnam. On this day, we celebrate it; all the women (and the girls as well) are received all the priorities, the presents, the colorful flowers and the best greetings from the men and from the other girls who care about them (It’s normally their children, sisters or colleagues). I was so happy to receive my friends’ greetings and to send mine to the others.
4:00 a.m, I finally wanted to go to bed. My eyes were so tired and so hurt that they even didn’t want to open. Mai and Tung have felt asleep. Tung slept so smoothly that I didn’t want to wake him up. “Ok! It’s fine, so today we have an extra roommate and an extra bedmate”, I thought, “at least, 3 of us (Mai, Tung and I) were all so skinny that we could fit in one bed”.
11:50 a.m, I woke up after hearing something a little bit noisy. Our roommates have waken up and had breakfast. “Oh, man!!! I miss my breakfast again!”, I said. We were going to have a meeting at 12:30pm so I had to dress up quickly. Today we would go to the Nashville Visual Art. We had lunch at there. When lining up, I read the menu. They had nothing but salads, sandwiches and some kids’ choices. I don’t like any salads as well as sandwiches. I had no idea what I would offer but French fries. After seeing the table which wrote all today’s special offers, I almost jumped up because they had Cheese pizza, one of my favorite food. However, it might not be my good-luck day after all when the salesman said that my cheese pizza had totally gone. I was so mad and reluctantly changed my order to something called Grilled chicken wrap. I thought that it was a kind of chicken tender and almost forgot about the “wrap” word. The only thing that I concentrated on is that my empty stomach was going on strike and my powerless body was playing the crazily hungry dancing. After ten minutes waiting for the food, the beautiful waitress finally brought my meal to my table. The Grilled chicken wrap is totally green, cold and absolutely pukable (at least is with me). I only ate French fries to fill my stomach and keep me alive until the dinner.
After lunch, we went into the Visual art. The first floor had nothing but the pictures & sculptures. It’s almost about the sacrifice of Christ, the sacred of Jesus, the purity of the Virgin and the baby. The artworks are collected mostly from French and Germany. I’m not a religious person and I have no idea about Jesus as well as the Christians. However, when I looked at the artworks and their descriptions, I knew that Jesus was betrayed because of posing as God’s son and finally was nailed up on a cross. I saw many sculptures which craved the death of Jesus. They all were so precise and show up the sacred, proud and grave feeling of the death. I only feel excited with & interesting in the sculptures, which could attract my eyes & my attention, which are something that I can look at all the small details and having a visual feeling of material & 3- dimensions structure. Therefore I only spend my time before the big sculptures and keep watching them with ease.
After finish watching all the sculptures in the first floor, I climbed upstairs and did some artwork by myself. It’s extremely a blast when I could draw, print and design whatever I want to. We left the Nashville Visual Art around 5:00 pm and burst out. Some of my friends who live in Nashville came to pick Mai, Tung and I up to a Vietnamese restaurant called “Kien Giang”. We had a great dinner, and then went around Nashville to enjoy the beautiful sight at night since all the Malls and entertainment place were closed at 6:00pm. Enjoying the rest of Sunday by playing some cards and pokers with my friends, I actually had so much fun as well as plentiful of great pictures for today (that couldn’t be written in only two pages, of course)!
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