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.
Showing posts with label three. Show all posts
Showing posts with label three. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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
3/17/2009 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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
SamanthaThomas
Samantha Thomas
2-10-09
Reflection 3
Today was a day of clarification for a couple of teammates and I today. We were assigned to work in the clothing closet where the men of the program at the Nashville Rescue Mission can receive any needed clothing for six out of the seven days. Today, we had to sort tee shirts, dress shirts, pullovers, jackets, pants, dress pants and shoes into their corresponding sizes. While sorting through the second-hand clothing, I realized how much better I had life than almost 500 homeless that live in Nashville. I couldn’t imagine how it would feel to come from wearing decent clothing with no holes, no stains, and no wear to wearing what these men wore every day. While so many of the girls on the trip wear their Aeropostale and Gucci and still find discontent in their appearances.
Speaking of which, I must vent because to be quite frankly honest, I don’t believe many of those girls feel any different than when they arrived. They signed up for the free trip and not the free mission trip. Sometimes I have found myself becoming quite frustrated when I see how lightly they are taking the situation. It’s as if they aren’t even here in Nashville with us, but rather with each other on some joy ride. Some of them seem almost afraid of the individuals in the program because they won’t so much as make eye contact or say hello. And even though sometimes the workload varies from group to group from day to day, there should be an equal impact. It really doesn’t matter whether that impact is on a personal level with some of the individuals of the program or whether it affects the large group of homeless through the sorting we have done in the warehouse. I’m just hoping to see more out of these girls by the end of the week.
However, back to my initial reflection, I have found that these people that work at the shelter are the people who will remember your name the next time they see you. They aren’t like those who see your face and then immediately after can’t remember what letter your name began with. But also in addition to your name and your personality, these people are genuinely thankful for every minute of work that we have put in at their shelter. The difference is clear when taking a glance around in the once extremely cluttered and unsorted basement we were working in. Now, there are general locations for every item. Everyone knows where the sheets, blankets, toiletries, general appliances, etc belong. Everything is beginning to find its place in this huge space. Everything is finally beginning to make sense. Why we are here. What our purpose is. How we are affecting these peoples’ lives.
2-10-09
Reflection 3
Today was a day of clarification for a couple of teammates and I today. We were assigned to work in the clothing closet where the men of the program at the Nashville Rescue Mission can receive any needed clothing for six out of the seven days. Today, we had to sort tee shirts, dress shirts, pullovers, jackets, pants, dress pants and shoes into their corresponding sizes. While sorting through the second-hand clothing, I realized how much better I had life than almost 500 homeless that live in Nashville. I couldn’t imagine how it would feel to come from wearing decent clothing with no holes, no stains, and no wear to wearing what these men wore every day. While so many of the girls on the trip wear their Aeropostale and Gucci and still find discontent in their appearances.
Speaking of which, I must vent because to be quite frankly honest, I don’t believe many of those girls feel any different than when they arrived. They signed up for the free trip and not the free mission trip. Sometimes I have found myself becoming quite frustrated when I see how lightly they are taking the situation. It’s as if they aren’t even here in Nashville with us, but rather with each other on some joy ride. Some of them seem almost afraid of the individuals in the program because they won’t so much as make eye contact or say hello. And even though sometimes the workload varies from group to group from day to day, there should be an equal impact. It really doesn’t matter whether that impact is on a personal level with some of the individuals of the program or whether it affects the large group of homeless through the sorting we have done in the warehouse. I’m just hoping to see more out of these girls by the end of the week.
However, back to my initial reflection, I have found that these people that work at the shelter are the people who will remember your name the next time they see you. They aren’t like those who see your face and then immediately after can’t remember what letter your name began with. But also in addition to your name and your personality, these people are genuinely thankful for every minute of work that we have put in at their shelter. The difference is clear when taking a glance around in the once extremely cluttered and unsorted basement we were working in. Now, there are general locations for every item. Everyone knows where the sheets, blankets, toiletries, general appliances, etc belong. Everything is beginning to find its place in this huge space. Everything is finally beginning to make sense. Why we are here. What our purpose is. How we are affecting these peoples’ lives.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
KaylaGreen
Kayla Green
Today we worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission and I had a good time. Unlike some of the volunteers who had to go down to the basement to organize and didn’t get much interactions with the participants I got to go up to a classroom and interact with the men of the Mission. I was in a math class room for men trying to build up their knowledge high enough to get their GEDs and I helped them work out problems that they had trouble with. The men in the class were very nice but took a few minutes to work up the courage to ask for help. My highlight was when this huge man who looked like he could break me was needing help and said when I went to sit down “you can move my puppy dog folder” it ticked me pink lol and kinda made me see him a different light. My down moment of the day was when I was put in the basement because classes were over and all I had to do was fold boxes up or blankets. My story of the day was when one of the guys from the class the same one as the puppy dog folder decided that when there was a break he was going to go out and smoke and tried to convince me that smoking was good for him and that it would turn his insides black to match his outside. Another story I’d like to share that made me sad was when a black man passed by us as we were on our way to the movie night at the center for human development and told us that we needed to “watch out for those monkeys that all black people were monkeys including him”, that kind of talk from anyone let alone about themselves is something that just kind of bothers me because it not only shows a general lack of respect for other but also for themselves. Another high part in my day and one that I was extremely grateful for was when one of the men in the class I was in stood up to pray and thanked me and the other person in the classroom for coming out to help them, and the fact that other people throughout the day took the time to genially thank us for coming out made me feel like I was really making a difference no matter how small.
Today we worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission and I had a good time. Unlike some of the volunteers who had to go down to the basement to organize and didn’t get much interactions with the participants I got to go up to a classroom and interact with the men of the Mission. I was in a math class room for men trying to build up their knowledge high enough to get their GEDs and I helped them work out problems that they had trouble with. The men in the class were very nice but took a few minutes to work up the courage to ask for help. My highlight was when this huge man who looked like he could break me was needing help and said when I went to sit down “you can move my puppy dog folder” it ticked me pink lol and kinda made me see him a different light. My down moment of the day was when I was put in the basement because classes were over and all I had to do was fold boxes up or blankets. My story of the day was when one of the guys from the class the same one as the puppy dog folder decided that when there was a break he was going to go out and smoke and tried to convince me that smoking was good for him and that it would turn his insides black to match his outside. Another story I’d like to share that made me sad was when a black man passed by us as we were on our way to the movie night at the center for human development and told us that we needed to “watch out for those monkeys that all black people were monkeys including him”, that kind of talk from anyone let alone about themselves is something that just kind of bothers me because it not only shows a general lack of respect for other but also for themselves. Another high part in my day and one that I was extremely grateful for was when one of the men in the class I was in stood up to pray and thanked me and the other person in the classroom for coming out to help them, and the fact that other people throughout the day took the time to genially thank us for coming out made me feel like I was really making a difference no matter how small.
Friday, March 13, 2009
NicoleDuvall
Today we started early and we went back over to the Nashville Mission to volunteer our services. I was real excited today because we were able to choose where we wanted to work-basement, kitchen, folding clothes, etc. I chose to work in the kitchen because I really wanted to help serve and I figured that would be a good opportunity to talk one on one with the mission’s program participants. I didn’t get a chance to work on the serving line but I did get to help get desserts ready and chop up some ham. It was fun, but still kind of tiring but I was definitely more exhausted yesterday working in the basement.
While I was picking up trays in the dining area, a gentlemen by the name of Mike, asked me if I would mind getting him a cup of ice and I told him that sure, I didn’t mind and then he asked for some water. He seemed really friendly and was asking me what brought me to TN. I told him that we were a group of college students, my major, and a few other facts about me. Then, what I found really interesting was that when I got ready to leave, he said “Pleas don’t leave me,” and I just immediately sat back down. Sitting across from us was a middle aged guy who was just talking nonstop… to himself… Mike said that he does that just to get attention and that I shouldn’t feel uncomfortable, because I guess it was obvious that I looked a little uncomfortable. Then he told me a little bit about his life, that he had a son that he hadn’t seen in a while and that he has been in the program for a couple months trying to get his life back on track. He also said that the Mission has really helped him come through a lot of hard times.
I also talked to another guy named Willie also. He told us that he had a son and a daughter back in Alabama and that he missed them greatly but doesn’t want to go back until he gets his life turned back around- he had a drug problem evidently- I didn’t want to ask too much. He seemed to know a lot of people for having had been there since December 2008. I almost cried when he was telling us that he had lost his wife, mother, and father last year and it just sent him into a downward spiral. I really almost cried-it was very depressing-I get so emotional. That is one thing that I ‘m really worried about-is just breaking down and bawling-so far, I’ve been able to control myself.
Later on I went back downstairs and sorted through shampoo and different hygiene products. There is endless stuff to sort through downstairs and we certainly made a dent, but most of the day I spent upstairs.
In the evening we went over to the Campus for Human Development-which was the first time for me- for game/movie/pizza night. I played a Pictionary sort of game while others watched Stomp the Yard. The campus definitely was definitely not as nice as the mission-building wise. We really didn’t get to interact with some of the people but Ms. Wendy seemed pretty nice. I’m a little nervous about tomorrow thought, because I hear she is a little rough and demanding. Hopefully tomorrow will be fun and we will get to meet some really cool people.
While I was picking up trays in the dining area, a gentlemen by the name of Mike, asked me if I would mind getting him a cup of ice and I told him that sure, I didn’t mind and then he asked for some water. He seemed really friendly and was asking me what brought me to TN. I told him that we were a group of college students, my major, and a few other facts about me. Then, what I found really interesting was that when I got ready to leave, he said “Pleas don’t leave me,” and I just immediately sat back down. Sitting across from us was a middle aged guy who was just talking nonstop… to himself… Mike said that he does that just to get attention and that I shouldn’t feel uncomfortable, because I guess it was obvious that I looked a little uncomfortable. Then he told me a little bit about his life, that he had a son that he hadn’t seen in a while and that he has been in the program for a couple months trying to get his life back on track. He also said that the Mission has really helped him come through a lot of hard times.
I also talked to another guy named Willie also. He told us that he had a son and a daughter back in Alabama and that he missed them greatly but doesn’t want to go back until he gets his life turned back around- he had a drug problem evidently- I didn’t want to ask too much. He seemed to know a lot of people for having had been there since December 2008. I almost cried when he was telling us that he had lost his wife, mother, and father last year and it just sent him into a downward spiral. I really almost cried-it was very depressing-I get so emotional. That is one thing that I ‘m really worried about-is just breaking down and bawling-so far, I’ve been able to control myself.
Later on I went back downstairs and sorted through shampoo and different hygiene products. There is endless stuff to sort through downstairs and we certainly made a dent, but most of the day I spent upstairs.
In the evening we went over to the Campus for Human Development-which was the first time for me- for game/movie/pizza night. I played a Pictionary sort of game while others watched Stomp the Yard. The campus definitely was definitely not as nice as the mission-building wise. We really didn’t get to interact with some of the people but Ms. Wendy seemed pretty nice. I’m a little nervous about tomorrow thought, because I hear she is a little rough and demanding. Hopefully tomorrow will be fun and we will get to meet some really cool people.
TiffanyMcMahan
Tiffany McMahan
March 09, 2009
Today at the Nashville Mission we took a tour of the building. The dorms were very interesting because there were so many beds that were very close together. We were told that on an average night that almost all the beds if not all beds were full. We also got to help in the kitchen by doing the desserts and meats for the dinner. We got to see how much they cook for lunch and dinner. We also helped in the dinning hall with the homeless and the halfway residents. We had interaction with the homeless and halfway residents by helping take up their trays. We met a guy named Willie that had been there for 6 to 7 months after leaving Alabama (leaving behind his entire family) to kick a drug addiction. He told us how at one point he took so many drugs that he prayed to never wake up; then he went on to explain how the mission changed his life and that he had been passing all of the drug tests. This actually gave us insight into how they feel about the mission and how much appreciation they have for the mission. He expressed how thankful he was that we came to help during our spring break. Many of the residents were very appreciative of us giving up our spring break for volunteering.
Later tonight, we visited the Campus Center and got to watch a movie and play games. We got to see how different it was from the Mission and we also got to have interaction with our entire group. I think this was a good idea because we learned more about each other as a group, and it gave us time to get to know each other. This is important because the more we know about each other the better we will work together as a group; therefore, we will make more progress.
March 09, 2009
Today at the Nashville Mission we took a tour of the building. The dorms were very interesting because there were so many beds that were very close together. We were told that on an average night that almost all the beds if not all beds were full. We also got to help in the kitchen by doing the desserts and meats for the dinner. We got to see how much they cook for lunch and dinner. We also helped in the dinning hall with the homeless and the halfway residents. We had interaction with the homeless and halfway residents by helping take up their trays. We met a guy named Willie that had been there for 6 to 7 months after leaving Alabama (leaving behind his entire family) to kick a drug addiction. He told us how at one point he took so many drugs that he prayed to never wake up; then he went on to explain how the mission changed his life and that he had been passing all of the drug tests. This actually gave us insight into how they feel about the mission and how much appreciation they have for the mission. He expressed how thankful he was that we came to help during our spring break. Many of the residents were very appreciative of us giving up our spring break for volunteering.
Later tonight, we visited the Campus Center and got to watch a movie and play games. We got to see how different it was from the Mission and we also got to have interaction with our entire group. I think this was a good idea because we learned more about each other as a group, and it gave us time to get to know each other. This is important because the more we know about each other the better we will work together as a group; therefore, we will make more progress.
TiffanyShaver
Tiffany Shaver
Dr. Campbell
3-9-09
Reflection Journal-Day Three
It is the third day of the ABS and so far it has been my most rewarding day. We worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission once again with our entire group. Where there were so many of us, the staff divided us into different groups, some working in the kitchen, some working downstairs in the warehouse, and some of us working in classrooms. Since I am an education major, I joined the group that went to the classrooms. The Rescue Mission is certified to offer courses in order for their residents to obtain their GED. The course that I went into was the literacy class. During that time, I graded their essays based upon the question, “What are your favorite sections to read in the newspaper?” It was sad to read them, because the level of their grammar was that of grade school. It made me realize how lucky I am and how blessed I am to have the opportunity to obtain an education. These men have trouble reading and writing and you can see in their eyes how much they want to accomplish. They also read from newspaper sections about the economy and stem cell research. It was extremely interesting to hear their opinions and discussions about these topics. These men are very intelligent, they just have never been told so or had the opportunity to enhance that. It was hard to look and them and to hear them as they read, because at times they would get frustrated. Like I said before, you can see it in their eyes on how much they want to succeed through this program.
After lunch, I stayed in the kitchen to help prepare dinner. One guy that I met was named Willy, one of the main kitchen staff. Talking to him was probably one of the most humbling experiences. He has been through the program and you can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice how passionate he is about that place. He loves those men and wants to see them succeed so much. He said that he knows he could be somewhere else making six times more money that he is at the Mission, yet he chooses to be there because he feels that he has so much to offer. As we were leaving, he thanked us and then asked for a favor. He asked the five of us to pray for him; his 13 year old daughter has been missing since Friday and they have put an amber alert out for her. I asked if it would be okay if we went ahead and prayed for him then, he said yes and so we did. Before we did however, he told us something else. This is the part where I start tearing up because I can still see the pain in his eyes. He told us that he had been through the program and had learned to put situations in God’s hands, but this time was so hard. Willy starting crying and said that he really wanted to trust God, but it was hard. That experience was so humbling and it made me realize how selfish I am at times. So many times I complain about how incontinent helping others may be; I come up with so many excuses like I’m tired or I have too much homework. I had a slap in the face today, because I realized if this man can still help others while his daughter is missing, then was is my excuse? I have no excuses because Willy is making no excuses.
So all in all, today has been the best so far. I was very humbled and realized how blessed I am to have an education, to have a loving family, to have the opportunity to spend my spring break helping others. I now know that every time I start to make excuses about helping others, I’ll always remember Willy.
Dr. Campbell
3-9-09
Reflection Journal-Day Three
It is the third day of the ABS and so far it has been my most rewarding day. We worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission once again with our entire group. Where there were so many of us, the staff divided us into different groups, some working in the kitchen, some working downstairs in the warehouse, and some of us working in classrooms. Since I am an education major, I joined the group that went to the classrooms. The Rescue Mission is certified to offer courses in order for their residents to obtain their GED. The course that I went into was the literacy class. During that time, I graded their essays based upon the question, “What are your favorite sections to read in the newspaper?” It was sad to read them, because the level of their grammar was that of grade school. It made me realize how lucky I am and how blessed I am to have the opportunity to obtain an education. These men have trouble reading and writing and you can see in their eyes how much they want to accomplish. They also read from newspaper sections about the economy and stem cell research. It was extremely interesting to hear their opinions and discussions about these topics. These men are very intelligent, they just have never been told so or had the opportunity to enhance that. It was hard to look and them and to hear them as they read, because at times they would get frustrated. Like I said before, you can see it in their eyes on how much they want to succeed through this program.
After lunch, I stayed in the kitchen to help prepare dinner. One guy that I met was named Willy, one of the main kitchen staff. Talking to him was probably one of the most humbling experiences. He has been through the program and you can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice how passionate he is about that place. He loves those men and wants to see them succeed so much. He said that he knows he could be somewhere else making six times more money that he is at the Mission, yet he chooses to be there because he feels that he has so much to offer. As we were leaving, he thanked us and then asked for a favor. He asked the five of us to pray for him; his 13 year old daughter has been missing since Friday and they have put an amber alert out for her. I asked if it would be okay if we went ahead and prayed for him then, he said yes and so we did. Before we did however, he told us something else. This is the part where I start tearing up because I can still see the pain in his eyes. He told us that he had been through the program and had learned to put situations in God’s hands, but this time was so hard. Willy starting crying and said that he really wanted to trust God, but it was hard. That experience was so humbling and it made me realize how selfish I am at times. So many times I complain about how incontinent helping others may be; I come up with so many excuses like I’m tired or I have too much homework. I had a slap in the face today, because I realized if this man can still help others while his daughter is missing, then was is my excuse? I have no excuses because Willy is making no excuses.
So all in all, today has been the best so far. I was very humbled and realized how blessed I am to have an education, to have a loving family, to have the opportunity to spend my spring break helping others. I now know that every time I start to make excuses about helping others, I’ll always remember Willy.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
ChristineFernandes
Reflection
3/09/09
Today we were all required to help out at the Nashville Mission, here we all split up in groups of seven and were assigned the task of organizing various clothing donations into sizes as well as warm and light clothing. We were surprised to find huge number of boxes stowed away at the back of the large warehouse rooms. The mission running short of volunteers has been unable to sort through their donations for a while. After lunch we were required to help clean out the basement which was packed with donations ranging from many computer monitors scanners to bedding and toiletries. We begun by offloading the bed sheets and pillow cases into large bags for laundry and then moved our way onto towels and blankets. Soon after we began sorting toiletries and baby products, I must admit despite being tiered I realized in the time we spent organizing different items I felt compelled to keep going in appreciation of all the donations and the time, money and effort that were spent donating items. We then came back to the motels for a quick rest and then left around 6 30 to join the participants at the Campus for Human Development for movie night where we spent time playing board games and watching a movie with some of the people at the campus . I appreciated how hospitable and generous they were for sharing their food and accommodating us. I also feel that having been accustomed to spending the night out in the town I was pleasantly surprised to feel at home and comfortable spending the evening with the participants and enjoyed spending time with some of our group members having a relaxing time after a hard days work.
3/09/09
Today we were all required to help out at the Nashville Mission, here we all split up in groups of seven and were assigned the task of organizing various clothing donations into sizes as well as warm and light clothing. We were surprised to find huge number of boxes stowed away at the back of the large warehouse rooms. The mission running short of volunteers has been unable to sort through their donations for a while. After lunch we were required to help clean out the basement which was packed with donations ranging from many computer monitors scanners to bedding and toiletries. We begun by offloading the bed sheets and pillow cases into large bags for laundry and then moved our way onto towels and blankets. Soon after we began sorting toiletries and baby products, I must admit despite being tiered I realized in the time we spent organizing different items I felt compelled to keep going in appreciation of all the donations and the time, money and effort that were spent donating items. We then came back to the motels for a quick rest and then left around 6 30 to join the participants at the Campus for Human Development for movie night where we spent time playing board games and watching a movie with some of the people at the campus . I appreciated how hospitable and generous they were for sharing their food and accommodating us. I also feel that having been accustomed to spending the night out in the town I was pleasantly surprised to feel at home and comfortable spending the evening with the participants and enjoyed spending time with some of our group members having a relaxing time after a hard days work.
JenniferHellems
Jennifer Hellems
SOWK 350
Dr. Campbell
Journal Entry 3
Monday March 9, 2009
Today everyone worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission. I worked on several different tasks throughout the day because it takes a lot to keep a big group of people busy.
This morning we split up into smaller groups and my group went to the clothing room and separated a lot of clothes into smalls, mediums, larges, and so on. We completed that task really quick and the guy who usually does it was so happy because he was saying that it would have taken him forever to sort the clothes. He said that he would get some of it sorted, but then they would bring a large shipment everyday at 10:30 right before he left at 11.
I was a little frustrated today when we got so much stuff done and we ended up being bored because we had nothing else to do and the few that were upstairs working in the kitchen couldn’t leave till serving time. We couldn’t go help them because there wasn’t enough room in the kitchen so we just ended up doing odd jobs around the mission.
Today I really enjoyed working with the guys at the mission most of them were really nice, but you could tell that they weren’t suppose to talk to us much. Some of the girls that I was with went out and we swept and cleaned the tables and chairs in the dining area. It turns out that that was some of the resident’s jobs so they were pretty surprised when they walked in and saw us hard at it. We told them that it was their day off and not to worry about it. Of course they were grateful and helped us finish it. One of the guys was talking to us and telling us how much he appreciated everything we have done for them and that we volunteered our time to come down and help them out.
I’m really glad that they appreciate us and realize that we are there to help them. Coming here, I wasn’t sure how some people would react to us volunteering to help them because I know some people can be very stubborn and not want help. I really enjoyed the place we were at today, but I think I liked the one Saturday better. Tomorrow we will be at a new place so we will see how that goes.
SOWK 350
Dr. Campbell
Journal Entry 3
Monday March 9, 2009
Today everyone worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission. I worked on several different tasks throughout the day because it takes a lot to keep a big group of people busy.
This morning we split up into smaller groups and my group went to the clothing room and separated a lot of clothes into smalls, mediums, larges, and so on. We completed that task really quick and the guy who usually does it was so happy because he was saying that it would have taken him forever to sort the clothes. He said that he would get some of it sorted, but then they would bring a large shipment everyday at 10:30 right before he left at 11.
I was a little frustrated today when we got so much stuff done and we ended up being bored because we had nothing else to do and the few that were upstairs working in the kitchen couldn’t leave till serving time. We couldn’t go help them because there wasn’t enough room in the kitchen so we just ended up doing odd jobs around the mission.
Today I really enjoyed working with the guys at the mission most of them were really nice, but you could tell that they weren’t suppose to talk to us much. Some of the girls that I was with went out and we swept and cleaned the tables and chairs in the dining area. It turns out that that was some of the resident’s jobs so they were pretty surprised when they walked in and saw us hard at it. We told them that it was their day off and not to worry about it. Of course they were grateful and helped us finish it. One of the guys was talking to us and telling us how much he appreciated everything we have done for them and that we volunteered our time to come down and help them out.
I’m really glad that they appreciate us and realize that we are there to help them. Coming here, I wasn’t sure how some people would react to us volunteering to help them because I know some people can be very stubborn and not want help. I really enjoyed the place we were at today, but I think I liked the one Saturday better. Tomorrow we will be at a new place so we will see how that goes.
SezinCeliktas
Today we went to Nashville Rescue Machine. One of the people showed us around and gave us some information about the building.
Then some of us went to the basement, some of us went to fold clothes, and some of us went to the kitchen. I was at the basement helping people to move boxes, foods that they will need later, and cleaning. It was not easy but we worked together so it was not as bad as I thought.
We had lunch there. I like eating lunch there just to see what homeless people eat every day. It is sad but it makes me feel better that we are doing something for them. And the guy who was showing us what to do, he told us that he is really proud of what we were doin and we were happy to hear that.
Then we went to watch a movie and play card games. It was fun. Some people watched movie. Some people prefered playing games. It was one of those days that I will not forget.
Then some of us went to the basement, some of us went to fold clothes, and some of us went to the kitchen. I was at the basement helping people to move boxes, foods that they will need later, and cleaning. It was not easy but we worked together so it was not as bad as I thought.
We had lunch there. I like eating lunch there just to see what homeless people eat every day. It is sad but it makes me feel better that we are doing something for them. And the guy who was showing us what to do, he told us that he is really proud of what we were doin and we were happy to hear that.
Then we went to watch a movie and play card games. It was fun. Some people watched movie. Some people prefered playing games. It was one of those days that I will not forget.
BrianCaulkins
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Brian Caulkins
Psychology 350
March 10, 2009
Reflection for Alternative Spring Break – Day #3
Today started out later than normal. We didn’t get on the road until ten till eight. Both groups were working together today. We worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission today. The first project that I worked on was separating different shirts by their sizes. I don’t know how many boxes we went through, but I do know that there were a lot of them. Most of the clothing was dress shirts. I guess a lot of people donate dress clothes because not as many people wear them as much. I worked on sorting clothing until lunch. I told myself that every time that I ate at the rescue mission that I will eat all the food on my plate so that I get the full effect of how eating at the shelter was like. So far I have eaten everything on my tray. Sometimes it has been tuff because the food is not what I am used to.
After lunch I started working down in the basement of the rescue mission. The basement of this place is huge. It has to be as big as Lowes, but not as tall. It was filled with items that varied from food to pianos. The basement was the storage area for the building. What we did the rest of the day was basically cleaning and sorting the items in the basement. Since there are not very many guys on this trip, most of the more strenuous work is handed to us. Eric and I emptied the cardboard bins and carried old books out to the dumpsters. There were a ton of books and cardboard. During this time a person in the program was helping us. I didn’t really know if he appreciated our help or not, but as the day went along I started to see the gratitude of the help. Derrick was his name. I started asking questions about how long he had been in the program and how he liked it. I wouldn’t say he opened up but he did tell me what I asked him. This was his second time through the program. He was 16 when he went through the first program. He told me that the first program didn’t work and that he had been with Nashville Rescue Mission since December 11.
I liked working with him and all the other people in the program. You would be surprised how many people are so grateful for the help. There was this one guy that would always be very gracious that we were helping the organization. He jokingly would say that he was going to come to West Virginia to bring us back.
One of the frustrating things I went through today was the basement. The basement was so big and it felt like the team and I would never get any of it done. It took me a while to understand that this was a long term project. All the projects we are working on are going to take it while. One of the positive things that I went through today was towards the end of the day. Right before we were ready to wrap things up and head back, Derrick made it his mission to say bye and thank us for the help. I feel that it would take a lot for somebody in his situation to take the time to make sure that we were thanked. I felt like I made a connection with him and was able to help the rescue mission and be a positive influence in Derrick’s life.
Brian Caulkins
Psychology 350
March 10, 2009
Reflection for Alternative Spring Break – Day #3
Today started out later than normal. We didn’t get on the road until ten till eight. Both groups were working together today. We worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission today. The first project that I worked on was separating different shirts by their sizes. I don’t know how many boxes we went through, but I do know that there were a lot of them. Most of the clothing was dress shirts. I guess a lot of people donate dress clothes because not as many people wear them as much. I worked on sorting clothing until lunch. I told myself that every time that I ate at the rescue mission that I will eat all the food on my plate so that I get the full effect of how eating at the shelter was like. So far I have eaten everything on my tray. Sometimes it has been tuff because the food is not what I am used to.
After lunch I started working down in the basement of the rescue mission. The basement of this place is huge. It has to be as big as Lowes, but not as tall. It was filled with items that varied from food to pianos. The basement was the storage area for the building. What we did the rest of the day was basically cleaning and sorting the items in the basement. Since there are not very many guys on this trip, most of the more strenuous work is handed to us. Eric and I emptied the cardboard bins and carried old books out to the dumpsters. There were a ton of books and cardboard. During this time a person in the program was helping us. I didn’t really know if he appreciated our help or not, but as the day went along I started to see the gratitude of the help. Derrick was his name. I started asking questions about how long he had been in the program and how he liked it. I wouldn’t say he opened up but he did tell me what I asked him. This was his second time through the program. He was 16 when he went through the first program. He told me that the first program didn’t work and that he had been with Nashville Rescue Mission since December 11.
I liked working with him and all the other people in the program. You would be surprised how many people are so grateful for the help. There was this one guy that would always be very gracious that we were helping the organization. He jokingly would say that he was going to come to West Virginia to bring us back.
One of the frustrating things I went through today was the basement. The basement was so big and it felt like the team and I would never get any of it done. It took me a while to understand that this was a long term project. All the projects we are working on are going to take it while. One of the positive things that I went through today was towards the end of the day. Right before we were ready to wrap things up and head back, Derrick made it his mission to say bye and thank us for the help. I feel that it would take a lot for somebody in his situation to take the time to make sure that we were thanked. I felt like I made a connection with him and was able to help the rescue mission and be a positive influence in Derrick’s life.
TreskaDunbar
Treska Dunbar
SOWK 350
March 9, 2009
Today was a long day filled with a wide variety of events and emotions. During the tour of the Nashville Rescue Mission, our tour guide told us that all the homeless individuals are required to stay outside during the day if the temperature is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I don’t know how they decided that these were comfortable conditions for someone to be outside all day, but I know that if it is 45 degrees outside I am still cold and if it is 75 degrees I am miserably hot. This fact reminded me of how lucky I am to not only have a home but adequate heating and air conditioning.
At the mission, I feel as though the homeless are treated so negatively by the people who claim to be helping them. There are security guards monitoring their every move. The place reminds me of a prison. Volunteers do not really get the opportunity to interact with the homeless. However, at the Campus there are no security guards or a VIP treatment for volunteers. We had to use the same doors and restrooms as the participants. The homeless were near us during the entire time and free to communicate with us if they so desired. The staff seemed to have a good positive relationship with the homeless individuals. It was interesting to me to see the differences in the two agencies and how they serve the homeless individuals.
Tonight we went back to the Campus for Human Development to watch movies, play games, and eat pizza with the participants and workers at their facility. Not only did this opportunity provide the group with the ability to interact with the homeless, but it also allowed us to relax and hang out with one another. When we get free time, we each get in our little group and go hang out and we don’t rejoin the group until it is required. So, this gave us the opportunity to get to know the other students serving with us this week on a more personal level.
The most frustrating and irritating aspect of today was getting lost in Nashville on the way back to the hotel. One of my biggest fears in driving for this trip was getting lost in this town. As I mentioned earlier this week, driving in Nashville made me uncomfortable. Today I was beginning to feel comfortable driving in this crazy big city traffic and then I got lost which increased my discomfort and lowered my self confidence in driving through Nashville.
Overall, today was a good day. I worked in the kitchen at the mission; this made me feel like I was helping provide them with the meal that would help suspend their hunger for a couple of hours. I worked with different people at different times so I got to talk to a lot of our team members and it was good to get to know some of them better.
SOWK 350
March 9, 2009
Today was a long day filled with a wide variety of events and emotions. During the tour of the Nashville Rescue Mission, our tour guide told us that all the homeless individuals are required to stay outside during the day if the temperature is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I don’t know how they decided that these were comfortable conditions for someone to be outside all day, but I know that if it is 45 degrees outside I am still cold and if it is 75 degrees I am miserably hot. This fact reminded me of how lucky I am to not only have a home but adequate heating and air conditioning.
At the mission, I feel as though the homeless are treated so negatively by the people who claim to be helping them. There are security guards monitoring their every move. The place reminds me of a prison. Volunteers do not really get the opportunity to interact with the homeless. However, at the Campus there are no security guards or a VIP treatment for volunteers. We had to use the same doors and restrooms as the participants. The homeless were near us during the entire time and free to communicate with us if they so desired. The staff seemed to have a good positive relationship with the homeless individuals. It was interesting to me to see the differences in the two agencies and how they serve the homeless individuals.
Tonight we went back to the Campus for Human Development to watch movies, play games, and eat pizza with the participants and workers at their facility. Not only did this opportunity provide the group with the ability to interact with the homeless, but it also allowed us to relax and hang out with one another. When we get free time, we each get in our little group and go hang out and we don’t rejoin the group until it is required. So, this gave us the opportunity to get to know the other students serving with us this week on a more personal level.
The most frustrating and irritating aspect of today was getting lost in Nashville on the way back to the hotel. One of my biggest fears in driving for this trip was getting lost in this town. As I mentioned earlier this week, driving in Nashville made me uncomfortable. Today I was beginning to feel comfortable driving in this crazy big city traffic and then I got lost which increased my discomfort and lowered my self confidence in driving through Nashville.
Overall, today was a good day. I worked in the kitchen at the mission; this made me feel like I was helping provide them with the meal that would help suspend their hunger for a couple of hours. I worked with different people at different times so I got to talk to a lot of our team members and it was good to get to know some of them better.
KristinaChampe
Kristina Champe
Alternative Spring Break
Reflection Day 3
3-9-2009
Today we all went to the Nashville Rescue Mission. Today was different than the last time we were there. This time all the groups went and it was different than before. We took a tour of the facility and then split up into different groups and did different things. My group went into the emergency clothing area, where the people can come and get clothes, shoes and socks that people have donated. It was very fun and the guys we worked with were very enjoyable to work with.
Backing up, before we even took the tour and split up in the smaller groups some of the girls that were with us were complaining about doing work before we even started! This group had worked at the Campus for Human Development before and was complaining about the work they had done in the past days. This made me extremely upset. This is a service trip, we sign up for a free service trip, not a free spring break trip to Nashville. I was extremely offended and ticked off. I never said anything but it was really disrespectful.
Later this evening all the groups went back to the Campus for Human Development to watch movies and play games with the residents. This was so fun and it gave the groups that hadn’t been there and glimpse of what the facility was like before we go there tomorrow. The people there were really nice, except when we first got there, when we were talking in an alley way to the campus and there was man walking toward us, he took a look at us and as he walked by he said, “Man ya’ll eating real good, there ain’t not thin people in this group at all.” I believe everyone mouth touched the ground when we heard this. Afterward when we got inside everyone was having a good time, but of course people from our groups couldn’t be satisfied. We let one of the residents pick out a movie and everyone around at that time was fine with that movie, then a girl came up and asked what we were watching and when we told her she scrunched her nose up at us like “ewww, why?” and the people that were sitting around were like what’s the problem.
After we left the Campus for Human Development, people on our van were all talking about the work that we were going to be doing tomorrow. We asked some of the other people on our van what they did and they said that had very hard labor and it was a workout. I think that tomorrow is going to be an awakening experience. I guess we’re just going to have to wait and see.
Alternative Spring Break
Reflection Day 3
3-9-2009
Today we all went to the Nashville Rescue Mission. Today was different than the last time we were there. This time all the groups went and it was different than before. We took a tour of the facility and then split up into different groups and did different things. My group went into the emergency clothing area, where the people can come and get clothes, shoes and socks that people have donated. It was very fun and the guys we worked with were very enjoyable to work with.
Backing up, before we even took the tour and split up in the smaller groups some of the girls that were with us were complaining about doing work before we even started! This group had worked at the Campus for Human Development before and was complaining about the work they had done in the past days. This made me extremely upset. This is a service trip, we sign up for a free service trip, not a free spring break trip to Nashville. I was extremely offended and ticked off. I never said anything but it was really disrespectful.
Later this evening all the groups went back to the Campus for Human Development to watch movies and play games with the residents. This was so fun and it gave the groups that hadn’t been there and glimpse of what the facility was like before we go there tomorrow. The people there were really nice, except when we first got there, when we were talking in an alley way to the campus and there was man walking toward us, he took a look at us and as he walked by he said, “Man ya’ll eating real good, there ain’t not thin people in this group at all.” I believe everyone mouth touched the ground when we heard this. Afterward when we got inside everyone was having a good time, but of course people from our groups couldn’t be satisfied. We let one of the residents pick out a movie and everyone around at that time was fine with that movie, then a girl came up and asked what we were watching and when we told her she scrunched her nose up at us like “ewww, why?” and the people that were sitting around were like what’s the problem.
After we left the Campus for Human Development, people on our van were all talking about the work that we were going to be doing tomorrow. We asked some of the other people on our van what they did and they said that had very hard labor and it was a workout. I think that tomorrow is going to be an awakening experience. I guess we’re just going to have to wait and see.
EricThomas
Eric Thomas
March 8, 2009
Spring Break Reflection
Sally Campbell
Refelction-3/8/09
Today I met a young man by the name of Derrick and I worked most of the day with him. This was the second time that Derrick had been in a rehabilitation program since he was 16. All Derrick said was that he wanted a chance to straighten up and start living his life right. Although Derrick was homeless, he was a well mannered young man and a good work ethic. At the young age of 21 he was already homeless. One thing that struck me about him was that he told his leader that he had never road a bike because he never had a father figure in his life that would teach him. It was something that he really wanted to learn and wished that he could have learned when he was younger.
Another man told me that he was having a really good day because he had just got a job with Wendy’s. Where I live getting a job at Wendy’s is an easy thing to do, but here in Nashville where the homeless population is sky rocketing due to the economic problems and the recession of the United States economy. These people don’t take things for granted and anything that they get or receive is a blessing because it is an opportunity to make their lives better.
Also, people today were really thankful that people would take their spring break off to come help them. Throughout doing this, it has further convinced me to pursue community service opportunities more because we have a privilege and I believe a right to help other in need.
Tomorrow hopefully will be a better day than I had today and I will have the opportunity to speak to more people and have the opportunity to help them.
March 8, 2009
Spring Break Reflection
Sally Campbell
Refelction-3/8/09
Today I met a young man by the name of Derrick and I worked most of the day with him. This was the second time that Derrick had been in a rehabilitation program since he was 16. All Derrick said was that he wanted a chance to straighten up and start living his life right. Although Derrick was homeless, he was a well mannered young man and a good work ethic. At the young age of 21 he was already homeless. One thing that struck me about him was that he told his leader that he had never road a bike because he never had a father figure in his life that would teach him. It was something that he really wanted to learn and wished that he could have learned when he was younger.
Another man told me that he was having a really good day because he had just got a job with Wendy’s. Where I live getting a job at Wendy’s is an easy thing to do, but here in Nashville where the homeless population is sky rocketing due to the economic problems and the recession of the United States economy. These people don’t take things for granted and anything that they get or receive is a blessing because it is an opportunity to make their lives better.
Also, people today were really thankful that people would take their spring break off to come help them. Throughout doing this, it has further convinced me to pursue community service opportunities more because we have a privilege and I believe a right to help other in need.
Tomorrow hopefully will be a better day than I had today and I will have the opportunity to speak to more people and have the opportunity to help them.
TacyPyles
Tacy Pyles
Dr. Campbell
TN Alternative Spring Break
Journal Entry 3
09 March 09
Tired, broken faces - everything they own on their backs - just looking for a place of rest at a picnic table. Eyes of resentment that understandably say, “You will never comprehend where I come from.” Rooms built for two people, yet housing four to six people. Working at the Nashville homeless shelter today brought about a lot of frustrating feelings, but one must take the good with the bad.
Though today was hard in many ways, it was also beautiful in many ways. Today we were able to work in the kitchen (not going to lie - it was significantly better than working in the basement). We did everything from talking with the residents to cutting up garlic to scrubbing tables. Everyone expressed so much appreciation - making it a very humbling experience.
James (not the one we worked with on Saturday) came up to me and said, “So, I want to know why you really came on this trip. What is your personal reason for being here?”
After thinking for a minute, I told him, “I guess I realize how blessed I am. I feel like God has blessed me, enabling me to serve and love others. It’s not me - it’s him. I love being here and I love being given this opportunity to serve.”
Very moved by my response, we entered into a wonderful conversation about community, faith and the fact that “nothing separates you from me. Not a dollar sign. Not skin color. We are no different.”
As we were getting ready to leave, a man named Willy said, “I have a personal favor to ask of you guys. Would you please pray for me? My daughter has been missing since Friday and we have an Amber Alert out for her.”
I was so inspired. We walk around Nashville and we listen to people telling us how wonderful we are for being here and though we try to shrug it off, that self-centered part wants to believe them. Then, I look at people like Willy and I realize what a joke my “sacrifices” tend to be. I don’t like to stay up late with my friends when they are upset because I have homework. I don’t like to help other people with their homework when I have to study for a test.
Willy on the other hand, is going through a living hell and yet he puts a smile of his face and gives of his time, energy and love to the homeless and downtrodden of Nashville. What kind of testimony is that? What kind of faith? What kind of love?
Dr. Campbell
TN Alternative Spring Break
Journal Entry 3
09 March 09
Tired, broken faces - everything they own on their backs - just looking for a place of rest at a picnic table. Eyes of resentment that understandably say, “You will never comprehend where I come from.” Rooms built for two people, yet housing four to six people. Working at the Nashville homeless shelter today brought about a lot of frustrating feelings, but one must take the good with the bad.
Though today was hard in many ways, it was also beautiful in many ways. Today we were able to work in the kitchen (not going to lie - it was significantly better than working in the basement). We did everything from talking with the residents to cutting up garlic to scrubbing tables. Everyone expressed so much appreciation - making it a very humbling experience.
James (not the one we worked with on Saturday) came up to me and said, “So, I want to know why you really came on this trip. What is your personal reason for being here?”
After thinking for a minute, I told him, “I guess I realize how blessed I am. I feel like God has blessed me, enabling me to serve and love others. It’s not me - it’s him. I love being here and I love being given this opportunity to serve.”
Very moved by my response, we entered into a wonderful conversation about community, faith and the fact that “nothing separates you from me. Not a dollar sign. Not skin color. We are no different.”
As we were getting ready to leave, a man named Willy said, “I have a personal favor to ask of you guys. Would you please pray for me? My daughter has been missing since Friday and we have an Amber Alert out for her.”
I was so inspired. We walk around Nashville and we listen to people telling us how wonderful we are for being here and though we try to shrug it off, that self-centered part wants to believe them. Then, I look at people like Willy and I realize what a joke my “sacrifices” tend to be. I don’t like to stay up late with my friends when they are upset because I have homework. I don’t like to help other people with their homework when I have to study for a test.
Willy on the other hand, is going through a living hell and yet he puts a smile of his face and gives of his time, energy and love to the homeless and downtrodden of Nashville. What kind of testimony is that? What kind of faith? What kind of love?
GraceHurney
Grace Hurney
Civic Engagement
10 March 2009
Reflections: Day 3
Today both groups volunteered at the Nashville Rescue Mission, where teams worked to organize donated clothing, prepare food, help with classes, and organize donations.
I worked mainly organizing donations in the basement. This was, overall, a fairly positive experience. We laughed and sorted and bagged clothing for the duration of the morning. There were a fair amount of very unsuitable donations- i.e. mildew towels, stained sheets, etc. I wish people would pay attention to guidelines before donating…regardless, the work was rewarding after we saw all the space we created with the packaging of the clothing. The shelter for women down the street is being renovated, so the Mission will have to house the displaced women for a few months. Thus, the men will be moved to basement, so we had to work hard to help clear out some of what must be hundreds of boxes of miscellaneous items. The second half of the day, part of my group went and cleaned the tables and chairs in the dining room. It turns out, we were doing the job of the men that lived there- they were very grateful for us that day! The men were very nice to us, thanking us for helping out and one man even knew where Concord was (just West Virginia, nothing really specific), which was a welcome surprise. My only negative moment for the day was when one of the men that lived in the Mission told us in the Dining Room that, while we were cleaning, to get over it because they cleaned the room “8 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 3 months”. If there is one thing that truly bothers me, it is being antagonized. Just because I’m of a different economic status does that mean that my heart isn’t in it nor that I don’t care- I hate it when I’m made to feel like a privileged little princess (I know I’ve said this before, but it makes me pretty angry). I understand that I am privileged, and that I have opportunities that some will never have. But that doesn’t mean that the man in the Dining Room can treat me poorly for it. I never asked to be born to the parents I have, it just happened. It doesn’t matter to me, so why should it matter to anyone else?
My random moment for the day was at the end of the day, which also doubles as a good moment (or a good series of hours). The movie/game/pizza night at the Center for Human Development was truly a blast. We ate pizza, watched Stomp the Yard, and played board games. I played Trivial Pursuit and enjoyed interacting with the participants that were in attendance- not many showed up, but the ones that did were extremely nice and very welcoming.
Civic Engagement
10 March 2009
Reflections: Day 3
Today both groups volunteered at the Nashville Rescue Mission, where teams worked to organize donated clothing, prepare food, help with classes, and organize donations.
I worked mainly organizing donations in the basement. This was, overall, a fairly positive experience. We laughed and sorted and bagged clothing for the duration of the morning. There were a fair amount of very unsuitable donations- i.e. mildew towels, stained sheets, etc. I wish people would pay attention to guidelines before donating…regardless, the work was rewarding after we saw all the space we created with the packaging of the clothing. The shelter for women down the street is being renovated, so the Mission will have to house the displaced women for a few months. Thus, the men will be moved to basement, so we had to work hard to help clear out some of what must be hundreds of boxes of miscellaneous items. The second half of the day, part of my group went and cleaned the tables and chairs in the dining room. It turns out, we were doing the job of the men that lived there- they were very grateful for us that day! The men were very nice to us, thanking us for helping out and one man even knew where Concord was (just West Virginia, nothing really specific), which was a welcome surprise. My only negative moment for the day was when one of the men that lived in the Mission told us in the Dining Room that, while we were cleaning, to get over it because they cleaned the room “8 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 3 months”. If there is one thing that truly bothers me, it is being antagonized. Just because I’m of a different economic status does that mean that my heart isn’t in it nor that I don’t care- I hate it when I’m made to feel like a privileged little princess (I know I’ve said this before, but it makes me pretty angry). I understand that I am privileged, and that I have opportunities that some will never have. But that doesn’t mean that the man in the Dining Room can treat me poorly for it. I never asked to be born to the parents I have, it just happened. It doesn’t matter to me, so why should it matter to anyone else?
My random moment for the day was at the end of the day, which also doubles as a good moment (or a good series of hours). The movie/game/pizza night at the Center for Human Development was truly a blast. We ate pizza, watched Stomp the Yard, and played board games. I played Trivial Pursuit and enjoyed interacting with the participants that were in attendance- not many showed up, but the ones that did were extremely nice and very welcoming.
JenniferParsons
Jenny Parsons
Journal Entry #3
Alternative Spring Break
Monday, March 9, 2009
Today we went to the Nashville Rescue Mission. There we were given a tour of the building. There they have classes as well and recovery programs for the Participants. They have a lot of success according to their wall of graduates, which is a good sign that something is going right.
We were split into groups. I was in the group that was sent to sort through the clothes. We were told to sort them according to sizes. It is nice to see so many things are donated rather than trashed. We sorted clothes for three hours… that is a lot of clothes.
After lunch, everyone went to the basement, aside from the volunteers that were placed to help in the kitchen. There we broke down boxes, gathered blankets and put them together in bags and sorted through the pantry to organize the foods. Therefore, it is easier for the people cooking to find what to make that day when everything is together.
There was a lot more interaction with the Participants at the Nashville Rescue Mission in comparison to the Campus for Human Development.
After break and dinner, we returned to the Campus for Human Development to interact with the men in the different programs. We watched a movie and played games. Others sat and talked to the Participants. It was nice getting to hang out with them and give them some interaction with others who are really willing to help them.
It was rewarding to see and help do the work they do everyday. It makes me appreciate those who do those chores every day for me. I can honestly say that I have not set down and really thought about those who do those things every day and I take that for granted. I have come to really appreciate the things I have been so fortunate to have with each day on this trip.
An aggravating aspect of the day is that there was not enough work for the amount of people there to help. Down time makes it boring and the time goes by a lot slower. I will admit that I was tired today, but as long as I was given something to do, I was fine.
Journal Entry #3
Alternative Spring Break
Monday, March 9, 2009
Today we went to the Nashville Rescue Mission. There we were given a tour of the building. There they have classes as well and recovery programs for the Participants. They have a lot of success according to their wall of graduates, which is a good sign that something is going right.
We were split into groups. I was in the group that was sent to sort through the clothes. We were told to sort them according to sizes. It is nice to see so many things are donated rather than trashed. We sorted clothes for three hours… that is a lot of clothes.
After lunch, everyone went to the basement, aside from the volunteers that were placed to help in the kitchen. There we broke down boxes, gathered blankets and put them together in bags and sorted through the pantry to organize the foods. Therefore, it is easier for the people cooking to find what to make that day when everything is together.
There was a lot more interaction with the Participants at the Nashville Rescue Mission in comparison to the Campus for Human Development.
After break and dinner, we returned to the Campus for Human Development to interact with the men in the different programs. We watched a movie and played games. Others sat and talked to the Participants. It was nice getting to hang out with them and give them some interaction with others who are really willing to help them.
It was rewarding to see and help do the work they do everyday. It makes me appreciate those who do those chores every day for me. I can honestly say that I have not set down and really thought about those who do those things every day and I take that for granted. I have come to really appreciate the things I have been so fortunate to have with each day on this trip.
An aggravating aspect of the day is that there was not enough work for the amount of people there to help. Down time makes it boring and the time goes by a lot slower. I will admit that I was tired today, but as long as I was given something to do, I was fine.
MaiLy
Entry for 03/09/ 2009
Today is the busiest day. I must to wake up at 7 o’clock while I went to sleep at 4 o’clock. I felt so tired when I woke up. Firstly, we had a short breakfast; I ate a little bit food. After that, I went to the Nashville Rescue Mission. I’m so glad to meet the staff in here again. They’re so nice and friendly. Today, I worked in the basement again; the basement is so messed up and so dirty. It has a lot of dust. My nose felt bad, and my eye did too. It had a lot of funny today. Some guys played the ball, and the ball hit the light on the ceiling. Everyone looked at them and laughed. Today, I continued to recognize the clothes. I need to separate among coats, T-shirts, long sleeves, pants. After separating, I need to put all of them into the trash bags or the boxes. It’s not a easy work for me because there are a lot of clothes. After that, we separated blankets , sheets, pillow cover. Some sheets were so nasty, and dirty. I wanted to threw out when I smelt them. There were a lot of blankets in the stock. It’s necessary to help the homeless people and the hazardous people. It’s unfortunate for them. We worked about 2 hours, all of us felt so tired and sleepy. We ate lunch in the cafeteria, the food in here is not good. The food in here is worse many times than in the cafeteria in our university. I can’t believe that it has a place where the food is better than in our cafeteria. I couldn’t eat anything. At 1 o’clock, we started to work again, the work are the same in the morning. We finished at 3 o’clock and go back the motel. We had a short nap, after sleeping, I felt better and relax. After 2 days, we worked together, I have more and more friends, I felt like a family. I had a experiment, it’s difficult to earn money, there’re a lot of people poorer than me. I need to save money, and spend with the right way. At 6.30 o’clock, we started to go to Nashville Rescue Mission. We had a dinner and watch movie in here. I didn’t watch movie because I watched to my friends play chess. It’s so funny. My friend played three times and he was a loser all 3 times. He was so angry and wanted to play again. But the time was up. We need to go back the motel because it’s too late. I think, today is a tired day, we worked a lot and ate a little bit. However, I felt happy because I could help for the homeless people and the hazardous people. It made me feel happy.
Today is the busiest day. I must to wake up at 7 o’clock while I went to sleep at 4 o’clock. I felt so tired when I woke up. Firstly, we had a short breakfast; I ate a little bit food. After that, I went to the Nashville Rescue Mission. I’m so glad to meet the staff in here again. They’re so nice and friendly. Today, I worked in the basement again; the basement is so messed up and so dirty. It has a lot of dust. My nose felt bad, and my eye did too. It had a lot of funny today. Some guys played the ball, and the ball hit the light on the ceiling. Everyone looked at them and laughed. Today, I continued to recognize the clothes. I need to separate among coats, T-shirts, long sleeves, pants. After separating, I need to put all of them into the trash bags or the boxes. It’s not a easy work for me because there are a lot of clothes. After that, we separated blankets , sheets, pillow cover. Some sheets were so nasty, and dirty. I wanted to threw out when I smelt them. There were a lot of blankets in the stock. It’s necessary to help the homeless people and the hazardous people. It’s unfortunate for them. We worked about 2 hours, all of us felt so tired and sleepy. We ate lunch in the cafeteria, the food in here is not good. The food in here is worse many times than in the cafeteria in our university. I can’t believe that it has a place where the food is better than in our cafeteria. I couldn’t eat anything. At 1 o’clock, we started to work again, the work are the same in the morning. We finished at 3 o’clock and go back the motel. We had a short nap, after sleeping, I felt better and relax. After 2 days, we worked together, I have more and more friends, I felt like a family. I had a experiment, it’s difficult to earn money, there’re a lot of people poorer than me. I need to save money, and spend with the right way. At 6.30 o’clock, we started to go to Nashville Rescue Mission. We had a dinner and watch movie in here. I didn’t watch movie because I watched to my friends play chess. It’s so funny. My friend played three times and he was a loser all 3 times. He was so angry and wanted to play again. But the time was up. We need to go back the motel because it’s too late. I think, today is a tired day, we worked a lot and ate a little bit. However, I felt happy because I could help for the homeless people and the hazardous people. It made me feel happy.
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