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.
Showing posts with label two. Show all posts
Showing posts with label two. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
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)!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
MaiLy
Entry for 08 March 2009
Today is Sunday, the International Women’s Day. We don’t have to work today. We probably sleep until 11:30a.m. We have a quick meeting at 12:00a.m. Then we go to the Visual Art Center. We eat lunch here. The food is good but it is pretty expensive.
This was the first time I had gone to a museum. Everything was new for me. I have seen some pictures. That made me crazy. I couldn’t understand what the meanings of those pictures are. I have seen some antiques too. These stuffs were really long time and valuable. Some were made by gold and really skilful. I was so excited. After few minutes watching these stuffs, I found a place where I could draw some pictures. I have had a lot of funny time with my friends. We have drawn lots of pictures about lots of things. We went out of the museum at 4:30p.m. We went to the downtown to visit. I had some Vietnamese friends study here. They came and brought us to eat dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. It was really long time that I didn’t eat Vietnamese food. I felt so happy and I ate a lots. I was really full. My friends and I went back to my motel and we had a happy time together.
And now I’m writing the journal assignment.
I don’t have a lot of things to talk about today. I can talk about just my emotions. I was really happy. And when my friends left, I felt so sad. And I have known that friendship is very important with my friends and me.
I will go to work tomorrow. I have to be ready at 7:15a.m. It will be tired. But it doesn’t matter with me. Fighting!!!...
Today is Sunday, the International Women’s Day. We don’t have to work today. We probably sleep until 11:30a.m. We have a quick meeting at 12:00a.m. Then we go to the Visual Art Center. We eat lunch here. The food is good but it is pretty expensive.
This was the first time I had gone to a museum. Everything was new for me. I have seen some pictures. That made me crazy. I couldn’t understand what the meanings of those pictures are. I have seen some antiques too. These stuffs were really long time and valuable. Some were made by gold and really skilful. I was so excited. After few minutes watching these stuffs, I found a place where I could draw some pictures. I have had a lot of funny time with my friends. We have drawn lots of pictures about lots of things. We went out of the museum at 4:30p.m. We went to the downtown to visit. I had some Vietnamese friends study here. They came and brought us to eat dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. It was really long time that I didn’t eat Vietnamese food. I felt so happy and I ate a lots. I was really full. My friends and I went back to my motel and we had a happy time together.
And now I’m writing the journal assignment.
I don’t have a lot of things to talk about today. I can talk about just my emotions. I was really happy. And when my friends left, I felt so sad. And I have known that friendship is very important with my friends and me.
I will go to work tomorrow. I have to be ready at 7:15a.m. It will be tired. But it doesn’t matter with me. Fighting!!!...
Monday, March 9, 2009
GraceHurney
Grace Hurney
Civic Engagement
9 March 2009
Reflections: Day Two
The day started out rather splendidly when I woke up at…10:15! I rolled out of bed and looked at the schedule for the day. We were scheduled to go to the Frist Center for Visual Arts, a cool museum in the heart of downtown Nashville.
The exhibit was my favorite moment of the day- it was short, unexpectedly so (I thought there would be more than just a hallway exhibit), but still poignant. There were a series of photographs on the walls taken by participants of the Safe Haven Family Shelter. People of all ages ( two to sixty-five!) were enrolled in a two week photography workshop. The workshop was more than just camera work, however. Also included were lessons about “composition, visual storytelling”. Along with the surprisingly good pictures were poems or captions to the photograph. The pictures were vibrant; not just aesthetically vibrant, but you could see the life and energy radiating from these snapshots in time. I think the most rewarding thing I took away from this exhibit is that it broke down stereotypes about homelessness. The children in the photographs were happy and smiling, not dressed in rags and resembling Oliver Twist. The resilience and life featured prominently reminded me that homelessness doesn’t strike any one certain “type” of person, and that there is always hope to be found, no matter your circumstance.
There really weren’t any frustrating or negative moments to the day. We got to explore Nashville a bit more, so it wasn’t labor intensive or that community-service focused.
My random, fun moment of the day was just seeing downtown Nashville. It is a really interesting city in that so many things that normally wouldn’t “go together” co-exist peacefully within the city limits. Hippie stores next to a Confederate flag. Peace signs and cowboy boots. It kind of reminds of humanity in general. We are all extremely different, yet manage to co-exist; not always peacefully for everyone, but for the most part we live and respect one another.
Civic Engagement
9 March 2009
Reflections: Day Two
The day started out rather splendidly when I woke up at…10:15! I rolled out of bed and looked at the schedule for the day. We were scheduled to go to the Frist Center for Visual Arts, a cool museum in the heart of downtown Nashville.
The exhibit was my favorite moment of the day- it was short, unexpectedly so (I thought there would be more than just a hallway exhibit), but still poignant. There were a series of photographs on the walls taken by participants of the Safe Haven Family Shelter. People of all ages ( two to sixty-five!) were enrolled in a two week photography workshop. The workshop was more than just camera work, however. Also included were lessons about “composition, visual storytelling”. Along with the surprisingly good pictures were poems or captions to the photograph. The pictures were vibrant; not just aesthetically vibrant, but you could see the life and energy radiating from these snapshots in time. I think the most rewarding thing I took away from this exhibit is that it broke down stereotypes about homelessness. The children in the photographs were happy and smiling, not dressed in rags and resembling Oliver Twist. The resilience and life featured prominently reminded me that homelessness doesn’t strike any one certain “type” of person, and that there is always hope to be found, no matter your circumstance.
There really weren’t any frustrating or negative moments to the day. We got to explore Nashville a bit more, so it wasn’t labor intensive or that community-service focused.
My random, fun moment of the day was just seeing downtown Nashville. It is a really interesting city in that so many things that normally wouldn’t “go together” co-exist peacefully within the city limits. Hippie stores next to a Confederate flag. Peace signs and cowboy boots. It kind of reminds of humanity in general. We are all extremely different, yet manage to co-exist; not always peacefully for everyone, but for the most part we live and respect one another.
JenniferParsons
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Today we all went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
The first hall was contributed to the Photographs of Safe Haven’s “Seeing Ourselves” presentation. It was set-up to inform us about what Safe Haven is. As I walked through the hallway of photography and read the captions to the side of each picture, I began to realize more and more of how blessed I am to have not had to face the hardships these people are facing each day.
“Children experiencing homelessness often mature faster than their peers who live in permanent housing,” states an excerpt by the photograph “Rodneka.” I believe this is a true statement because they are forced to grow up faster because they are introduced to the hardships of life at an earlier stage, one in which most children who are fortunate enough to have a stable home do not have to face until later years in their life. Maturity and understanding of the world is a necessity in taking care of oneself and living out in the real world, therefore homeless children are fast learners when it comes to these aspects of life.
As I walked through the hall and looked at the photographs and read the captions, I felt sorry for the people they were reflecting. After viewing the pictures, I stopped by the video that was playing about the Safe Haven and its contributions. As I watched the video and saw how big of a blessing Safe Haven has been to the many people who are homeless, I was very glad to see that there are still good people in the world willing to help those in need. The long I watched the video, the more tears began to form in my eyes as I listened to the families tell their stories. Many of them feeling as if they had hit rock bottom, Safe Haven lent them a helping hand as they got back on their feet to a better life. As the video was coming to an end, the story of the last family left me crying. It touched me in a way that homelessness has not touched me before.
Watching these videos and actually encountering homeless people has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective. I have a different point of view and it is as if I never really knew what it was. I am thankful to get the chance to have gone on this trip and for all the things I have been blessed with.
I believe that it was rewarding for me to watch the video about the Safe Haven because it gives me more hope that there are good people out there who are willing to help those in need. I find it uplifting to see that so many people are willing to help and that there are so many people out there still willing to try to make a better life for themselves and turn it all around.
I will admit, however, that I have been frustrated with the size of the bottled pop we received with our meal at the Frist Center. Paying $1.25 for a 12 oz. bottle of pop was outrageous! It was hardly enough to satisfy my thirst throughout my meal of half a sandwich and a salad.
Something funny happened today while we were at the Frist Center. While we were looking at the art work, the security guards came up to the girl with me and asked her if she could put her backpack strings on one side of her shoulder. When asking her to do so, he laughed, as did we, as he turned and walked away. After leaving that section of the Center, we walked downstairs to look at artifacts. After looking at one piece of work, another security guard came up and said the exact same thing.
Today we all went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
The first hall was contributed to the Photographs of Safe Haven’s “Seeing Ourselves” presentation. It was set-up to inform us about what Safe Haven is. As I walked through the hallway of photography and read the captions to the side of each picture, I began to realize more and more of how blessed I am to have not had to face the hardships these people are facing each day.
“Children experiencing homelessness often mature faster than their peers who live in permanent housing,” states an excerpt by the photograph “Rodneka.” I believe this is a true statement because they are forced to grow up faster because they are introduced to the hardships of life at an earlier stage, one in which most children who are fortunate enough to have a stable home do not have to face until later years in their life. Maturity and understanding of the world is a necessity in taking care of oneself and living out in the real world, therefore homeless children are fast learners when it comes to these aspects of life.
As I walked through the hall and looked at the photographs and read the captions, I felt sorry for the people they were reflecting. After viewing the pictures, I stopped by the video that was playing about the Safe Haven and its contributions. As I watched the video and saw how big of a blessing Safe Haven has been to the many people who are homeless, I was very glad to see that there are still good people in the world willing to help those in need. The long I watched the video, the more tears began to form in my eyes as I listened to the families tell their stories. Many of them feeling as if they had hit rock bottom, Safe Haven lent them a helping hand as they got back on their feet to a better life. As the video was coming to an end, the story of the last family left me crying. It touched me in a way that homelessness has not touched me before.
Watching these videos and actually encountering homeless people has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective. I have a different point of view and it is as if I never really knew what it was. I am thankful to get the chance to have gone on this trip and for all the things I have been blessed with.
I believe that it was rewarding for me to watch the video about the Safe Haven because it gives me more hope that there are good people out there who are willing to help those in need. I find it uplifting to see that so many people are willing to help and that there are so many people out there still willing to try to make a better life for themselves and turn it all around.
I will admit, however, that I have been frustrated with the size of the bottled pop we received with our meal at the Frist Center. Paying $1.25 for a 12 oz. bottle of pop was outrageous! It was hardly enough to satisfy my thirst throughout my meal of half a sandwich and a salad.
Something funny happened today while we were at the Frist Center. While we were looking at the art work, the security guards came up to the girl with me and asked her if she could put her backpack strings on one side of her shoulder. When asking her to do so, he laughed, as did we, as he turned and walked away. After leaving that section of the Center, we walked downstairs to look at artifacts. After looking at one piece of work, another security guard came up and said the exact same thing.
JenniferHellems
Jennifer Hellems
SOWK 350
Dr. Campbell
Journal Entry 2
Sunday March 9, 2009
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts then explored downtown Nashville. I really enjoyed this evening and really like Nashville. The Frist Center was really cool I enjoyed myself very much. Of course my favorite part was the hands on stuff upstairs that I’m sure was intended for the yonger kids. The main exhibit today was Seeing Ourselves Photographs of Safe Haven. This exhibit contained several pictures of some of the people that live or have lived in the Safe Haven Family Shelter.
Unlike most of the shelters you encounter where the families are split up, the Safe Haven Family Shelter is designed for families. Other shelters are strictly for men or women and children it isn’t very often that families are able to stay together under these circumstances.
I loved all the pictures of the kids from the exhibit and some were about parents, but my favorite one was the one titled ‘Ferris (age 12) Cracking the Human Genome.’ It was my favorite because it said “Ferris, an honor role student, is driven by ambitions and determinations. When presented with the challenge of creating and directing his photograph, Ferris knew he wanted to be seen as a scientist dissecting a model of the human genome.” This let me know that just because this child has had some unfortunate things happen in his life he is still hopeful and knows that one day things can change for him. Things can change for the better and he can do and be whatever he wants to be. I believe that kids need hope and need to always be looking up and I believe this picture shows that.
After I went through and looked at all the pictures from this exhibit I watched the video about Safe Haven Family Shelter and I at first wondered why we weren’t helping out there. It looked like a great place to go and help and interact with people. As I watched the video and seeing all the people that were helped by this place and comparing it to the places we were volunteering at I realized that we weren’t helping out in this particular place because the places we are stationed at need our help more than Safe Haven does. Safe Haven, I feel is ahead of these other places and doesn’t need our help as bad.
The end of the video made me tear up, it was about a woman who had four girls and one boy and she was able to go from being homeless to having her own place for her and her children. It touched me because as they went through looking at the house she was pointing out things that I take for granted everyday. I couldn’t help but think that she has such a long struggle throughout the rest of her life with five kids, but she has come so far.
Safe Haven seems like a wonderful place and seems to be doing great things in Nashville. I am so happy that there are places out there to help people who really need it.
SOWK 350
Dr. Campbell
Journal Entry 2
Sunday March 9, 2009
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts then explored downtown Nashville. I really enjoyed this evening and really like Nashville. The Frist Center was really cool I enjoyed myself very much. Of course my favorite part was the hands on stuff upstairs that I’m sure was intended for the yonger kids. The main exhibit today was Seeing Ourselves Photographs of Safe Haven. This exhibit contained several pictures of some of the people that live or have lived in the Safe Haven Family Shelter.
Unlike most of the shelters you encounter where the families are split up, the Safe Haven Family Shelter is designed for families. Other shelters are strictly for men or women and children it isn’t very often that families are able to stay together under these circumstances.
I loved all the pictures of the kids from the exhibit and some were about parents, but my favorite one was the one titled ‘Ferris (age 12) Cracking the Human Genome.’ It was my favorite because it said “Ferris, an honor role student, is driven by ambitions and determinations. When presented with the challenge of creating and directing his photograph, Ferris knew he wanted to be seen as a scientist dissecting a model of the human genome.” This let me know that just because this child has had some unfortunate things happen in his life he is still hopeful and knows that one day things can change for him. Things can change for the better and he can do and be whatever he wants to be. I believe that kids need hope and need to always be looking up and I believe this picture shows that.
After I went through and looked at all the pictures from this exhibit I watched the video about Safe Haven Family Shelter and I at first wondered why we weren’t helping out there. It looked like a great place to go and help and interact with people. As I watched the video and seeing all the people that were helped by this place and comparing it to the places we were volunteering at I realized that we weren’t helping out in this particular place because the places we are stationed at need our help more than Safe Haven does. Safe Haven, I feel is ahead of these other places and doesn’t need our help as bad.
The end of the video made me tear up, it was about a woman who had four girls and one boy and she was able to go from being homeless to having her own place for her and her children. It touched me because as they went through looking at the house she was pointing out things that I take for granted everyday. I couldn’t help but think that she has such a long struggle throughout the rest of her life with five kids, but she has come so far.
Safe Haven seems like a wonderful place and seems to be doing great things in Nashville. I am so happy that there are places out there to help people who really need it.
TiffanyMcMahan
Tiffany McMahan
Reflection
March 8, 2009
Today, we explored Nashville TN, and got to experience the Frist Center
for Visual Arts. The exhibits were very interesting especially those about Safe
Haven. The video talked about how many families were affected by
Homelessness and usually its about 4,000 people or 40% of families that are
affected. We also got to see and read many different exhibits and pictures of
home less children and families. There were some that were very inspiring and
some that very emotional. I appreciated being able to visit the center because it
gave me more of an insight into how homelessness affects families. I also
learned Nashville is always in need of volunteers for the shelters.
While we were in downtown Nashville, we seen many homeless people on the streets. This made me very sad to see because it is a hard issue for me to deal with and I have never had to experience homelessness, so it is very hard for me to understand. Some of them were very lonely and was talking to themselves. I think it gave all of us an idea of how they live and what they deal with everyday. Some of our other group members were talking about them and how they were very sad; some even said that they donated money to them.
I believe today was a very good experience for us because we somewhat got to see homeless first hand by seeing the homeless people on the streets. I would be willing to come back here in this area to do more work with the homeless shelters. Since I am a Business Education major, I feel that it is very important that future teachers are always willing to help those in need, and I am always willing to help.
Reflection
March 8, 2009
Today, we explored Nashville TN, and got to experience the Frist Center
for Visual Arts. The exhibits were very interesting especially those about Safe
Haven. The video talked about how many families were affected by
Homelessness and usually its about 4,000 people or 40% of families that are
affected. We also got to see and read many different exhibits and pictures of
home less children and families. There were some that were very inspiring and
some that very emotional. I appreciated being able to visit the center because it
gave me more of an insight into how homelessness affects families. I also
learned Nashville is always in need of volunteers for the shelters.
While we were in downtown Nashville, we seen many homeless people on the streets. This made me very sad to see because it is a hard issue for me to deal with and I have never had to experience homelessness, so it is very hard for me to understand. Some of them were very lonely and was talking to themselves. I think it gave all of us an idea of how they live and what they deal with everyday. Some of our other group members were talking about them and how they were very sad; some even said that they donated money to them.
I believe today was a very good experience for us because we somewhat got to see homeless first hand by seeing the homeless people on the streets. I would be willing to come back here in this area to do more work with the homeless shelters. Since I am a Business Education major, I feel that it is very important that future teachers are always willing to help those in need, and I am always willing to help.
BrianCaulkins
Brian Caulkins
Psychology 350
March 8, 2009
Reflection for Alternative Spring Break: Day #2
Today was the easy day. We were able to sleep in until noon, which was a relief. The day started out different because daylight savings happened today and I missed the awesome continental breakfast. We started our trip today to the Frist Museum. I did not know what type of museum this was going to be. When we rolled up to the actual museum I was amazed. This museum was huge and had a sculpture out front that was very interesting. We ate lunch in the café at the museum. After we ate all of us explored the museum. The first part that I went to was the “make your own art” section. They had a lot of stuff that made learning about art fun. The one I liked the most was the printing project. The first thing we had to do was drawing the object or design what we wanted to print. After that we traced it out on a piece of cardboard. Then it was time for the printing. They rolled paint on the cardboard and then put it through a press. It turned out very well and I was able to take my amazing masterpiece home.
The next place I visited in the museum was the safe haven section. This was the most interesting section to me. I can remember two that really struck interest to me. A boy named Benjamin wrote the first one I read. The caption with the picture is what interested me the most. It said,
“You think we are homeless,
Because you are blind and can not see,
That a home is where your family is
And we are your family”
This is was the type of judgment change that I had yesterday. In yesterdays reflection I talked about how I was amazed how wrong I was about homeless people. If you have people around you, you are not homeless. I had to read this exert a couple times to realize what it really meant. People without homes are without homes, not homes and family. It changed my perspective about homeless people and helped my studying and volunteer work with them more enjoyable.
The next exert I liked stated that children that are homeless have a hard time maturing to their fullest potential. Being homeless is a negative thing that is very hard on children. If they are dramatized early in their life, it will be hard for them to get over it when they are older and not homeless. These two exerts have sparked a new interest in this type of national dilemma for me. Instead of judging homeless people in a negative way, I start to think about the positive things they have and how I can improve those.
I am excited for tomorrow because we get to work at the Rescue Mission. I hope that I can improve somebody’s life by brightening his or her day.
Psychology 350
March 8, 2009
Reflection for Alternative Spring Break: Day #2
Today was the easy day. We were able to sleep in until noon, which was a relief. The day started out different because daylight savings happened today and I missed the awesome continental breakfast. We started our trip today to the Frist Museum. I did not know what type of museum this was going to be. When we rolled up to the actual museum I was amazed. This museum was huge and had a sculpture out front that was very interesting. We ate lunch in the café at the museum. After we ate all of us explored the museum. The first part that I went to was the “make your own art” section. They had a lot of stuff that made learning about art fun. The one I liked the most was the printing project. The first thing we had to do was drawing the object or design what we wanted to print. After that we traced it out on a piece of cardboard. Then it was time for the printing. They rolled paint on the cardboard and then put it through a press. It turned out very well and I was able to take my amazing masterpiece home.
The next place I visited in the museum was the safe haven section. This was the most interesting section to me. I can remember two that really struck interest to me. A boy named Benjamin wrote the first one I read. The caption with the picture is what interested me the most. It said,
“You think we are homeless,
Because you are blind and can not see,
That a home is where your family is
And we are your family”
This is was the type of judgment change that I had yesterday. In yesterdays reflection I talked about how I was amazed how wrong I was about homeless people. If you have people around you, you are not homeless. I had to read this exert a couple times to realize what it really meant. People without homes are without homes, not homes and family. It changed my perspective about homeless people and helped my studying and volunteer work with them more enjoyable.
The next exert I liked stated that children that are homeless have a hard time maturing to their fullest potential. Being homeless is a negative thing that is very hard on children. If they are dramatized early in their life, it will be hard for them to get over it when they are older and not homeless. These two exerts have sparked a new interest in this type of national dilemma for me. Instead of judging homeless people in a negative way, I start to think about the positive things they have and how I can improve those.
I am excited for tomorrow because we get to work at the Rescue Mission. I hope that I can improve somebody’s life by brightening his or her day.
TacyPyles
Tacy Pyles
Dr. Campbell
TN Alternative Spring Break
Journal Entry 2
08 March 2009
Today we visited the Frist Center for Visual Arts. After eating lunch there, we began our tour of the museum. The first exhibit was called “Seeing Ourselves,” and beautifully depicted the splendor of perseverant dreaming. When I heard we would be visiting the exhibit for those families who had been touched by the outreach of Safe Haven, I did not expect to walk away feeling uplifted. Safe Haven focuses on community development that keeps families together and teaches children self-esteem while allowing them to express themselves through art.
The art was surprisingly filled with happiness, dreams, passion and love. After taking a two-week course on self expression through writing and visual arts, the homeless of Safe Haven were given cameras to express through photography and poetry how they see themselves. The images that were compiled in the exhibit were composed of smiles, laughter, flowers and trees. The images demonstrated a belief that they have now become connected with their community in a special way.
I walked away from these images realizing that nothing separates me from the homeless. We have the same kind of hopes and dreams -we feel the same fears and have the same anxieties. Why does a dollar sign make the difference between a friend and an outcast? Why in a country that proudly proclaims that “all men are created equal” can we not make eye contact with the homeless man on the street?
This evening we passed many people from different backgrounds…the upper class who flitted from shop to shop and the homeless who carried everything they own in a few bags. Passing building after building, with shining windows stacked to the sky, fountains with picturesque statues atop and cathedrals with their stained glass windows, it makes me wonder why this is allowed to happen. Why are people allowed to be homeless when the city can afford so much extravagance? Why are some people allowed to live in mansions while others do not even have one room to claim as their own?
Dr. Campbell
TN Alternative Spring Break
Journal Entry 2
08 March 2009
Today we visited the Frist Center for Visual Arts. After eating lunch there, we began our tour of the museum. The first exhibit was called “Seeing Ourselves,” and beautifully depicted the splendor of perseverant dreaming. When I heard we would be visiting the exhibit for those families who had been touched by the outreach of Safe Haven, I did not expect to walk away feeling uplifted. Safe Haven focuses on community development that keeps families together and teaches children self-esteem while allowing them to express themselves through art.
The art was surprisingly filled with happiness, dreams, passion and love. After taking a two-week course on self expression through writing and visual arts, the homeless of Safe Haven were given cameras to express through photography and poetry how they see themselves. The images that were compiled in the exhibit were composed of smiles, laughter, flowers and trees. The images demonstrated a belief that they have now become connected with their community in a special way.
I walked away from these images realizing that nothing separates me from the homeless. We have the same kind of hopes and dreams -we feel the same fears and have the same anxieties. Why does a dollar sign make the difference between a friend and an outcast? Why in a country that proudly proclaims that “all men are created equal” can we not make eye contact with the homeless man on the street?
This evening we passed many people from different backgrounds…the upper class who flitted from shop to shop and the homeless who carried everything they own in a few bags. Passing building after building, with shining windows stacked to the sky, fountains with picturesque statues atop and cathedrals with their stained glass windows, it makes me wonder why this is allowed to happen. Why are people allowed to be homeless when the city can afford so much extravagance? Why are some people allowed to live in mansions while others do not even have one room to claim as their own?
KristinaChampe
Kristina Champe
Alternative Spring Break
Day 2
3-8-2009
Today we got to sleep in (which was great by the way). Then it was our day to go to the Frisk Center Museum. It was amazing. We went to see the exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in the pictures from Safe Haven”. There were some very, very exciting pictures there. I really enjoyed looking at them. The museum was a very awe-inspiring experience. It was like the pictures spoke to me when I was there. There was a picture there that I really enjoyed, of the kids with their feet in the water that looked like they were washing their sheets in a bucket, it said that even through their suffering experiences they can find joy and play through resilience. I really enjoyed going to this museum. It really showed me how the homeless see the world through their eyes and it was a great experience. This gave me a new way to look at the world also, and I really appreciated.
Later in the evening we went downtown and we saw some homeless people, and discussed how many saw and from being in the shelter we could tell who was homeless and everyone knew, and it was pretty sad. We didn’t what to do or say but we had a great day and the museum and downtown, and can’t wait to see what the rest of the week is going to bring.
Alternative Spring Break
Day 2
3-8-2009
Today we got to sleep in (which was great by the way). Then it was our day to go to the Frisk Center Museum. It was amazing. We went to see the exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in the pictures from Safe Haven”. There were some very, very exciting pictures there. I really enjoyed looking at them. The museum was a very awe-inspiring experience. It was like the pictures spoke to me when I was there. There was a picture there that I really enjoyed, of the kids with their feet in the water that looked like they were washing their sheets in a bucket, it said that even through their suffering experiences they can find joy and play through resilience. I really enjoyed going to this museum. It really showed me how the homeless see the world through their eyes and it was a great experience. This gave me a new way to look at the world also, and I really appreciated.
Later in the evening we went downtown and we saw some homeless people, and discussed how many saw and from being in the shelter we could tell who was homeless and everyone knew, and it was pretty sad. We didn’t what to do or say but we had a great day and the museum and downtown, and can’t wait to see what the rest of the week is going to bring.
VirginiaVerburg
Virginia Verburg
Reflections
Day Two 3/8/09
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts to see an art collection on display from Safe Haven. Safe Haven is an organization in Nashville that helps homeless families stay together and find jobs and housing. I watched a video about Safe Haven and different families stories of going into Safe Haven and their accomplishments. A few other girls were watching the video with me and became emotional during the last story about seeing a woman and her 5 daughters move into a house. The families generally spend months working to save up money and eliminate their debt so they can afford to rent or buy a home.
Another part of the Safe Haven display were pictures and poems that were taken and written by the children that stay there. I was really impressed to read about some of the children’s goals in life and how well they could write poetry. I wish we could have worked with Safe Haven because I feel like there is more of a need to work with women and children then there is with men. In the video it mentioned that somewhere around 40% of the homeless came from families.
While I respect the fact that not all of the men that are homeless have committed a crime or are addicts, most of them still are. To me I would feel more of a connection working with women and children because I can sympathize more with the fact that they are probably homeless because they have left an abusive relationship or something happened that was truly out of their control. I also like the idea that they do not split families up at Safe Haven. A lot of the commentary on the video was families stating how much closer they became at the shelter by spending months together. I believe it is important to worth with homeless men as well, however I hope at some point in my life I can work with women and children as well.
Reflections
Day Two 3/8/09
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts to see an art collection on display from Safe Haven. Safe Haven is an organization in Nashville that helps homeless families stay together and find jobs and housing. I watched a video about Safe Haven and different families stories of going into Safe Haven and their accomplishments. A few other girls were watching the video with me and became emotional during the last story about seeing a woman and her 5 daughters move into a house. The families generally spend months working to save up money and eliminate their debt so they can afford to rent or buy a home.
Another part of the Safe Haven display were pictures and poems that were taken and written by the children that stay there. I was really impressed to read about some of the children’s goals in life and how well they could write poetry. I wish we could have worked with Safe Haven because I feel like there is more of a need to work with women and children then there is with men. In the video it mentioned that somewhere around 40% of the homeless came from families.
While I respect the fact that not all of the men that are homeless have committed a crime or are addicts, most of them still are. To me I would feel more of a connection working with women and children because I can sympathize more with the fact that they are probably homeless because they have left an abusive relationship or something happened that was truly out of their control. I also like the idea that they do not split families up at Safe Haven. A lot of the commentary on the video was families stating how much closer they became at the shelter by spending months together. I believe it is important to worth with homeless men as well, however I hope at some point in my life I can work with women and children as well.
SamanthaThomas
Samantha Thomas
Reflection Day 2
2-8-09
Today, we visited the Frist Center. The collections at the art museum included art ranging from Medieval pieces of art to the exhibit we paid close attention to: “Seeing Ourselves: Photographs of Safe Haven.” The parents and children of some of the families at Safe Haven took the photos. The photographs reflected many things including self-photographs and pictures of families. The one picture that affected me the most was the very first shown in the exhibit. This little girl was simply playing with a bubble machine, like most little girls. However, beside the picture a similar quote was used: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” It simply showed me and I hope the people around us that these people are not “just homeless,” they are people that have only fallen and need help getting back on their feet. Another part of the exhibit that really affected me was the video that Safe Haven Shelter and Blueskies Productions had put together in reference to what the shelter was about and how some of it operated. As I watched them explain how they wanted to keep their family’s together I was becoming a sympathetic for those who have to split up their families in order to simply survive from day to day. But near the end of the video, this one single family affected me the most. The last name escapes me, but the family consisted of a mother and her five children. When they saw their new home that was provided to them via the shelter, every single one of them began to tear, including several of the older children who completely understood the situation. When I heard soft sobs, my focus was drawn away from the flat screen television and to the faces of the girls standing around me. Every face was wet and every eye was red and swollen. My heart began to hurt as I felt complete and utter regret for not trying to help with this cause sooner.
Reflection Day 2
2-8-09
Today, we visited the Frist Center. The collections at the art museum included art ranging from Medieval pieces of art to the exhibit we paid close attention to: “Seeing Ourselves: Photographs of Safe Haven.” The parents and children of some of the families at Safe Haven took the photos. The photographs reflected many things including self-photographs and pictures of families. The one picture that affected me the most was the very first shown in the exhibit. This little girl was simply playing with a bubble machine, like most little girls. However, beside the picture a similar quote was used: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” It simply showed me and I hope the people around us that these people are not “just homeless,” they are people that have only fallen and need help getting back on their feet. Another part of the exhibit that really affected me was the video that Safe Haven Shelter and Blueskies Productions had put together in reference to what the shelter was about and how some of it operated. As I watched them explain how they wanted to keep their family’s together I was becoming a sympathetic for those who have to split up their families in order to simply survive from day to day. But near the end of the video, this one single family affected me the most. The last name escapes me, but the family consisted of a mother and her five children. When they saw their new home that was provided to them via the shelter, every single one of them began to tear, including several of the older children who completely understood the situation. When I heard soft sobs, my focus was drawn away from the flat screen television and to the faces of the girls standing around me. Every face was wet and every eye was red and swollen. My heart began to hurt as I felt complete and utter regret for not trying to help with this cause sooner.
JessicaKirk
Kirk, Jessica
3-8-09
Alternative Spring Break in Nashville
Day Two
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Nashville to view a exhibit called Seeing Ourselves which is on homelessness. What made this exhibit really unique is that all of the pictures was taken by homeless people and not just a photographer who would take the photos of them in their moments of weakness and then go home to his home. All of these homeless people are participants in the Safe Haven Family Shelter.
Safe Haven really is a remarkable program that offers many homeless people and even families a warm, safe place, and a chance to get back on their feet. In a video that they was showing in the exhibit they showed this one family who had finally moved into their own place. The mother was a single mom with I think maybe 3 really young children, and as she was in tears over the fact that she was finally in a place where she wanted she wanted to be in her life for her and her children. As she cried I started to tear up, and when I looked around everyone else was either tearing up or crying as well. This was a very rewarding experience because we was able to see what homelessness is life but through the eyes and words of those who are actually experiencing it or experienced it.
The only negative experience I could really see in this exhibit is that you don't really get the one on one experience as you do with at the Campus for Human Development. But at the same time it still is really rewarding because the photos really are interesting. My favorite of the photos was one by a 7 year old girl named Hadassah.
The picture is of her I think and another child and Luka. Luka is a dog that is a member of the Safe Haven staff. Luka serves as a vital part of the experience for children because typically homeless people do not have pets, and every child should have at least one pet. Luka sat beside them in a protective and sheltering way that seemed very comforting to the children.
3-8-09
Alternative Spring Break in Nashville
Day Two
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Nashville to view a exhibit called Seeing Ourselves which is on homelessness. What made this exhibit really unique is that all of the pictures was taken by homeless people and not just a photographer who would take the photos of them in their moments of weakness and then go home to his home. All of these homeless people are participants in the Safe Haven Family Shelter.
Safe Haven really is a remarkable program that offers many homeless people and even families a warm, safe place, and a chance to get back on their feet. In a video that they was showing in the exhibit they showed this one family who had finally moved into their own place. The mother was a single mom with I think maybe 3 really young children, and as she was in tears over the fact that she was finally in a place where she wanted she wanted to be in her life for her and her children. As she cried I started to tear up, and when I looked around everyone else was either tearing up or crying as well. This was a very rewarding experience because we was able to see what homelessness is life but through the eyes and words of those who are actually experiencing it or experienced it.
The only negative experience I could really see in this exhibit is that you don't really get the one on one experience as you do with at the Campus for Human Development. But at the same time it still is really rewarding because the photos really are interesting. My favorite of the photos was one by a 7 year old girl named Hadassah.
The picture is of her I think and another child and Luka. Luka is a dog that is a member of the Safe Haven staff. Luka serves as a vital part of the experience for children because typically homeless people do not have pets, and every child should have at least one pet. Luka sat beside them in a protective and sheltering way that seemed very comforting to the children.
KiwaNadas
Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts to see the exhibit on Safe Haven. The photographs in the exhibit focused mostly on one young man named Benjamin. The exhibit gave me a lot to think about homelessness then what I saw the day before and showed the same side to it. The exhibit was about hope and finding a way out of it. Which is what the Campus for Human Development was trying to help the people achieve.
TiffanyShaver
Tiffany Shaver
Dr. Campbell
3-8-09
Reflection Journal-Day Two
Today was the second day of the Alternative Spring Break and it was the day we all went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. The museum was amazing and my favorite part, excluding Safe Haven which I will talk about later on, was the paintings. The artwork was very abstract and it was as if some of them could look into your soul. My favorite was a painting by Alice Neel of a deformed man. The description of the painting said that it was supposed to represent the inner conflict with one’s self. The reason I found it to be so interesting because it shows that people are not perfect and we all would be deformed in some way to represent the struggles within.
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the artwork displayed at the museum, my favorite was the hallway based on Safe Haven. Safe Haven is a homeless shelter dedicated for families. It is the only shelter in Nashville that allows for families to stay together. In addition to allowing the families to stay together, Safe Haven also pours in job training and counseling to help the families get back on their feet. The hallway dedicated to Safe Haven was called Seeing Ourselves. All along the hallway there were blown up pictures that represent life patterns that are experienced by people living in a variety of circumstances. My favorite picture was by Hadassah called Luka and Me. Luka is a dog and a member of the Safe Haven Community. His job is to provide love and friendship to the children. The picture was amazing and it reflected best on what Safe Haven is all about. However, my favorite quote on the pictures was by Ferris called Goals. The quote stated, “Hopes and dreams need not be stifled by labels and stereotypes associated with homelessness.” I feel in love with that quote because everyone has hopes and dreams, whether you are the richest person in the world or the poorest. We all drive to be something in this world and that will never change.
All in all, today was very good. I enjoyed the art museum, especially looking at Safe Haven. So far, the week has been amazing and I am looking forward to what it brings.
Dr. Campbell
3-8-09
Reflection Journal-Day Two
Today was the second day of the Alternative Spring Break and it was the day we all went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. The museum was amazing and my favorite part, excluding Safe Haven which I will talk about later on, was the paintings. The artwork was very abstract and it was as if some of them could look into your soul. My favorite was a painting by Alice Neel of a deformed man. The description of the painting said that it was supposed to represent the inner conflict with one’s self. The reason I found it to be so interesting because it shows that people are not perfect and we all would be deformed in some way to represent the struggles within.
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the artwork displayed at the museum, my favorite was the hallway based on Safe Haven. Safe Haven is a homeless shelter dedicated for families. It is the only shelter in Nashville that allows for families to stay together. In addition to allowing the families to stay together, Safe Haven also pours in job training and counseling to help the families get back on their feet. The hallway dedicated to Safe Haven was called Seeing Ourselves. All along the hallway there were blown up pictures that represent life patterns that are experienced by people living in a variety of circumstances. My favorite picture was by Hadassah called Luka and Me. Luka is a dog and a member of the Safe Haven Community. His job is to provide love and friendship to the children. The picture was amazing and it reflected best on what Safe Haven is all about. However, my favorite quote on the pictures was by Ferris called Goals. The quote stated, “Hopes and dreams need not be stifled by labels and stereotypes associated with homelessness.” I feel in love with that quote because everyone has hopes and dreams, whether you are the richest person in the world or the poorest. We all drive to be something in this world and that will never change.
All in all, today was very good. I enjoyed the art museum, especially looking at Safe Haven. So far, the week has been amazing and I am looking forward to what it brings.
TreskaDunbar
Treska Dunbar
Journal/Reflection
March 8, 2009
Today was a thought provoking day. Among the many exhibits at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts was the photography taken by homeless individuals from the Safe Haven shelter. This exhibit allowed me to think about homelessness and to see a different kind of visual representation of the homeless individuals. One of the most interesting pieces of the exhibit was a self portrait of Benjamin. The photo is of a homeless teenager who decided to serve his country. Later on, in the exhibit you view another self portrait of Benjamin that shows him as a man in uniform saluting his country. As a social work major we are made aware of the government programs that are available or not so available to the homeless population. It was interesting to me that an individual who was homeless would desire to serve our country. In my mind, the homeless would feel ungrateful to our country and feel as though our country is failing to provide them with the services that they need to be productive members of society. I feel as though we as a society fail to provide the necessary social services and programs to help these less fortunate members of our society lead safe lives with at the very least a bed to sleep in and some food to eat.
Another picture in the exhibit was a photo of homeless children with a dog. Yesterday at the Camus for Human Development a staff member informed us that they have cats running around to give the participants a friend. This photo had a message saying that the Safe Haven has this dog on staff to provide unconditional love and friendship to the people who use their facility. As someone who loves her puppy, I can completely understand the unconditional love that an animal can provide. This reminded of another item that I take for granted.
Another photo that really stood out in my mind was the photo of a little boy and a basketball. This story had a message beside it that said “I had a dream…Magic Johnson was there…He autographed the ball...” This reminded me that homeless children are just like any other child. Little boys all look up to some hero and aspire to meet that person. This reminded me that the difference between me and the homeless is as simple as food, shelter, and material goods. They have similar desires and aspirations. All little kids want to grow up and change the world or be someone famous; some sleep in a homeless shelter or on the street at night and some read bedtime stories and have mom or dad tuck them tightly into their warm bed.
Tonight as I was spending some time touring the city of Nashville, a presumably homeless man approached my friend and me and asked us for some money. Since neither of us had cash, he asked us to buy him dinner at a little restaurant down the street. I have been asked for money multiple times and every time I have the same reaction. What are they going to do to me? Is it safe to communicate with them? This time was no different. I was uncomfortable and scared. I realize they are human just like me, but I still have this idea in my mind that it is unsafe to make extended contact and allow them to lead you somewhere. I didn’t trust him for a moment. We followed him to his chosen restaurant, bought him food, and returned to touring the town. I realized that just as we returned to our lives of touring Nashville he would again return to his life of trying to find the funds for his next meal and a place to rest his head tonight. This made me sad, and allowed me to realize that we all have routines and roles that we play in society and unfortunately his role is the homeless man who has to panhandle for some money to buy a sandwich and a coke. If I want a sandwich and a coke I seldom think twice about walking up to the counter ordering and paying and going on with my life.
Journal/Reflection
March 8, 2009
Today was a thought provoking day. Among the many exhibits at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts was the photography taken by homeless individuals from the Safe Haven shelter. This exhibit allowed me to think about homelessness and to see a different kind of visual representation of the homeless individuals. One of the most interesting pieces of the exhibit was a self portrait of Benjamin. The photo is of a homeless teenager who decided to serve his country. Later on, in the exhibit you view another self portrait of Benjamin that shows him as a man in uniform saluting his country. As a social work major we are made aware of the government programs that are available or not so available to the homeless population. It was interesting to me that an individual who was homeless would desire to serve our country. In my mind, the homeless would feel ungrateful to our country and feel as though our country is failing to provide them with the services that they need to be productive members of society. I feel as though we as a society fail to provide the necessary social services and programs to help these less fortunate members of our society lead safe lives with at the very least a bed to sleep in and some food to eat.
Another picture in the exhibit was a photo of homeless children with a dog. Yesterday at the Camus for Human Development a staff member informed us that they have cats running around to give the participants a friend. This photo had a message saying that the Safe Haven has this dog on staff to provide unconditional love and friendship to the people who use their facility. As someone who loves her puppy, I can completely understand the unconditional love that an animal can provide. This reminded of another item that I take for granted.
Another photo that really stood out in my mind was the photo of a little boy and a basketball. This story had a message beside it that said “I had a dream…Magic Johnson was there…He autographed the ball...” This reminded me that homeless children are just like any other child. Little boys all look up to some hero and aspire to meet that person. This reminded me that the difference between me and the homeless is as simple as food, shelter, and material goods. They have similar desires and aspirations. All little kids want to grow up and change the world or be someone famous; some sleep in a homeless shelter or on the street at night and some read bedtime stories and have mom or dad tuck them tightly into their warm bed.
Tonight as I was spending some time touring the city of Nashville, a presumably homeless man approached my friend and me and asked us for some money. Since neither of us had cash, he asked us to buy him dinner at a little restaurant down the street. I have been asked for money multiple times and every time I have the same reaction. What are they going to do to me? Is it safe to communicate with them? This time was no different. I was uncomfortable and scared. I realize they are human just like me, but I still have this idea in my mind that it is unsafe to make extended contact and allow them to lead you somewhere. I didn’t trust him for a moment. We followed him to his chosen restaurant, bought him food, and returned to touring the town. I realized that just as we returned to our lives of touring Nashville he would again return to his life of trying to find the funds for his next meal and a place to rest his head tonight. This made me sad, and allowed me to realize that we all have routines and roles that we play in society and unfortunately his role is the homeless man who has to panhandle for some money to buy a sandwich and a coke. If I want a sandwich and a coke I seldom think twice about walking up to the counter ordering and paying and going on with my life.
NicoleBartley
Nicole Bartley
March 8th 2009
REFLECTION
Reflection: Day 2
So today we went to the musem, The Frist Center. I don’t see how visiting this museum was helping anybody. We looked at a bunch of pretty pictures, and I guess we were left with trying to figure out the feelings behind the art. Again, I don’t see how this is helping anybody. I don’t see why they would have this ‘Safe Haven’ exhibit. Whats the purpose for it? To show off how great some people can take pictures? To show off how easy it is? Is it an advertisment? “So easy, a homless person can do it!” Added with a big fake smile at the end? I asked my roomates this, and they told me it was to see their point of view, and to give them the chance to do something yadda yadda yadda. My question, or thought, Why give them a camera? Why not give them training in a field that could make them money and get them back on their feet? Ok, pictures and art are a good way to express themselves, but how does expressing yourself make you money? How does that give you a home, and put food on the table?
The pictures had descriptions, the only one I felt worth reading was the picture of a 14-year-old named Benjamin. It was a picture of him in his Air Force JROTC uniform. He said he wanted to join the military. That’s a kid after my own heart right there. Wanting to do something productive with his life, and even better something involving the military, is what I like to see. It’s what I plan to do in the next 2 years as well.
So I was told that in these reflections we have to write a good story, and a bad story about the day. The picture of Benjamin can be the good story. My bad story, well, theres a lot of them. I suppose the whole day was bad. I guess my bad story can be how I don’t feel like we are doing anything here by going to museums. I’m pretty sure I signed up to help out, work at homeless shelters, and soup kitchens. It’s what I do back home at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. I don’t understand why it isnt the same here. Sure, it was a nice get-away I guess, but I came here to work. That’s what I want to be doing. That’s what we should have been doing.
March 8th 2009
REFLECTION
Reflection: Day 2
So today we went to the musem, The Frist Center. I don’t see how visiting this museum was helping anybody. We looked at a bunch of pretty pictures, and I guess we were left with trying to figure out the feelings behind the art. Again, I don’t see how this is helping anybody. I don’t see why they would have this ‘Safe Haven’ exhibit. Whats the purpose for it? To show off how great some people can take pictures? To show off how easy it is? Is it an advertisment? “So easy, a homless person can do it!” Added with a big fake smile at the end? I asked my roomates this, and they told me it was to see their point of view, and to give them the chance to do something yadda yadda yadda. My question, or thought, Why give them a camera? Why not give them training in a field that could make them money and get them back on their feet? Ok, pictures and art are a good way to express themselves, but how does expressing yourself make you money? How does that give you a home, and put food on the table?
The pictures had descriptions, the only one I felt worth reading was the picture of a 14-year-old named Benjamin. It was a picture of him in his Air Force JROTC uniform. He said he wanted to join the military. That’s a kid after my own heart right there. Wanting to do something productive with his life, and even better something involving the military, is what I like to see. It’s what I plan to do in the next 2 years as well.
So I was told that in these reflections we have to write a good story, and a bad story about the day. The picture of Benjamin can be the good story. My bad story, well, theres a lot of them. I suppose the whole day was bad. I guess my bad story can be how I don’t feel like we are doing anything here by going to museums. I’m pretty sure I signed up to help out, work at homeless shelters, and soup kitchens. It’s what I do back home at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. I don’t understand why it isnt the same here. Sure, it was a nice get-away I guess, but I came here to work. That’s what I want to be doing. That’s what we should have been doing.
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