Take Action Project

I volunteered at the North End soup kitchen in Flint. I decided to do this in the end because the whole idea of the take action project was stepping out of your comfort zone, and putting yourself in a new situation. Living near Albion, Michigan, a much smaller town than Flint but one that suffers from the same economic issues, I would often volunteer at the local food bank especially around the holidays, but I had never gotten the opportunity to help out at a soup kitchen. When I arrived I was told to get to work right away, washing potatoes, stirring soups, setting tables, making salads, and mopping floors.
As I was assembling sandwhiches the man next to me asked me what my major was in college, I told him that I was an elementary education major and he said he had just retired from being a drafting teacher in a local high school. He told me that he was disturbed that only boys took his class and he alerted the principle to the alarming trend. The principle said "Oh girls aren't interested in that kind of thing." The drafting teacher told the principle he was wrong and that girls would be valuable parts of the class and should have the opportunity to partake. The principle relented and the teacher I was talking to said that in three years time he had a class split equally amongst boys and girls. He said that one girl he is still in contact with is now a successful architect because of his class. This conversation reminded me that although in the United States there is far more gender equality, there are still negative stereotypes that are prominent in our society like "mens" and "womens" jobs. Architecture is a high paying career reserved as a more masculine profession but when girls are allowed opportunities they are more likely to pursue "mens jobs" and succeed, breaking down those gender barriers. I thought this conversation really demonstrated the message of our class that education really makes an impact and a change in every life, and that women can excel in careers other than the "nurturing" professions.
I also felt such warmth as I prepared food and handed it out to over one hundred people that came through the doors. It made me think that so often I only think of myself and my problems and issues. It was a way to get out of myself and help other people, individuals who although they have less than most are more grateful for the things they do have. I saw an abundance of human kindness phrases like "please" and "thank you," men pulling chairs out for women, and tipping their caps. I have signed up to work again and I am looking forward to it. Volunteering at the food bank I realized that there is so much one person can do to make the day of someone else, even if it is as simple as slicing a piece of cake and putting it on someone's tray. Small acts of love really matter, they mean something, and one person really can make a difference in our world.

Final Post Take Action Project

            My take action project was working with a local school organize a food and toys drive for families in need this holiday season. I had the privilege of working with some great people to help provide Christmas for children who would otherwise not have one. I helped with the giving tree set up and collecting of toys and I will finish my volunteering by helping distribute the toys to the families at the end of the week.

            My supervisor for this project was Tammy Wade; she is the head of the SKIP program in the Mt Morris School district and has worked there for several years. She chose this line of work to help families; children in particular meet their needs. It is a very rewarding job to help those who need a little extra help.

            I am not sure how this project added to my learning of this course but it did give me a better look at where a lot of the children that I work with on a daily basis are coming from. Learning what they live with gives the adults that work with them an understanding of their behavior and attitude.

            What I took from this project was a warm feeling of watching the looks on the parent’s faces when they were filling out the  paper work, knowing that their children would have something under the tree on Christmas morning.

Take Action Assignment with Good Justice

I had the privilege of working with "Good Justice" today which helps provide stable education and clean drinking water to villages in Honduras and Malawi. During my internship I was able to work directly with the Executive Director Jeff Ryal and worked to complete fundraising work.  In short, I spent most of my time stuffing envelopes.  However, the work that I did was important and I was able to speak with Jeff throughout the four hours about what the money collected from this fundraiser would go towards.  Through the process I also learned about how an organization works behind the scenes when they aren't actively putting a roof on a school building.

The first question I asked during my interview was why their organization works to provide clean drinking water and education.  While both efforts are incredibly important, the two are rarely paired by an organization as their two goals.  Jeff explained that dirty/contaminated drinking water is the main cause of death across the world so, by providing clean drinking water the organization helps keep children and their families healthy which leads to their school attendance which is the organization's main goal according to Jeff, "to help every person reach their full creative potential."


During my conversation with Jeff I learned that the organization currently has requests by seven villages in Malawi to drill clean water wells but because the ground is pure rock, drilling a well costs about $7,000 per well there.  This means that they have to increase fundraising including mailings and events but they maintain a policy of hiring local workers to do all of the labor.  Jeff stated that this was important because it allows the community to take pride in their village as well as providing income that will be spent to support and maintain that village.

The organization also has "Hope Teams" that travel once a year to the villages in Malawi and Honduras where the school buildings that they are responsible for are.  On those trips the teams work to repair any damage or wear the buildings have and to create relationships with the villagers and families who attend the schools.  Good Justice currently has four school buildings with about 160 students.  The organization was notified earlier this year that four of their students will be attending University.  They are the first members of their families to graduate let alone attend a University.

Through my work with this organization I was able to better connect readings for this course with faces and personal stories.  I also arranged with Jeff to return to help finish the work I started today. 

Final blog, Taking Action Project

As I had mentioned, I volunteered at the Center for Hope Soup Kitchen in Flint. This project really opened my eyes up to the problems that face our city. Until I had gone to the soup kitchen I never really thought about what it would be like to not have a meal everyday available to me at home. We take for granted so much and spend less time looking the other way. This class has opened my eyes up to issues I was not aware of, in my own city and in other countries. As upsetting all that was, it was very rewarding learning about all the good things people are doing every day to help. It is amazing how much of an impact one person can make.

                While I was at the Soup Kitchen, my supervisor was a lady names Brenda Supper (I believe that was her last name). She was in charge of the kitchen. We started out cleaning up from breakfast and then started preparing for lunch. I started washing dishes and then helped prepare some food. The high schoolers were there to help out and make cookies. During our break I asked the superviser Brenda some questions. I asked her how long she had been with this organization, “I’m 62 years old and had applied for a program called AARP, that puts people over 50 back in the work force. I was first sent to a different soup kitchen and was then transferred here. I’ve been here almost a year, a year in March.” She was a very tall women who was happy and positive. I then asked her what made her work significant, she then replied, “ how much people appreciate it, the people here are very appreciative and always tell me how much it means to them.” I had noticed that most of the people that had come in that day were men, so I asked her how she was helping womens issues in the community, she told me, “the women do come too, maybe not as often but they do come, I’m helping womens issues by you know making sure they have a meal available to them and we try to all be positive and welcome here, we have a great group of help here.”

                This project showed me that you can make a difference and it doesn’t really take that much, to you it may seem simple but to another people it may mean the world. Just to see how the people responded to my warm attitude felt amazing. You could tell that they really appreciated it and liked the company. I could extend my impact by continuing to volunteer at the soup kitchen, or by reaching out to another. I also have some information for other people I may know looking into volunteering.

First Blog, Taking Action

For my take action project, I ended up going to the Center for Hope Soup Kitchen on 5th Ave, it was about two minutes from the school for it was easy to find. I had some trouble finding an organization to volunteer at. This was understandable because of the time of year it is. I went to the YWCA first, then the Flint Shelter, and finally ended up at the Soup Kitchen.
During my break at the Soup Kitchen, I took some notes on what had gone on so far. We were cleaning up from breakfast and preparing for lunch. When I first got there I was introduced to the other volunteers in the kitchen. I then was sent to wash some dishes. They do breakfast at 7 am and lunch at 12. When I was volunteering, there was also a number of high schoolers there volunteering as well. The people there were really nice and loved being there, it was very rewarding for them.

Take Action Part II

       I was fortunate in volunteering some of my time at the Shelter of Flint which has been providing Flint residents a safe and stable home for the last 30 years. Unfortunately, despite the great effort of the staff and patrons of the Shelter, over 3,000 people in Flint are still without the basic necessity of a safe home. Over the last four months I have come to realize the truth in the saying, “a little effort goes a long way.” A little effort from those more fortunate could easily alleviate the issue of homelessness.
     The families that live at the Shelter are mostly single mothers and their children. The women can find comfort in having a warm place to sleep and a safe place to establish strength and dignity within their family. The environment is warm and welcoming and while I was there I recognized that each family had privacy and at the same time the Shelter offered the strength of a community. I am not sure exactly how many families live at the shelter but during my brief time there I was blessed to work with between 20 and 30 children each night. Together with my group we organized activities to help entertain the children allowing the parents some time to do whatever they needed. I noticed that several of the mothers took the time to do laundry while we worked with the kids. Working with the kids at the shelter was enjoyable and extremely rewarding; I really hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. The kids ranged from 4 years old to early teens and I was truly impressed by all of their willingness to help and participate.
      My group and I helped the kids make paper crafts and decorated cookies with a holiday theme. Our first night of volunteering we made the paper-crafts and started by creating a few samples, such as a snowman and reindeer, which gave the kids a visual from which they could recreate. I was happy to see that many of the kids improved on the ideas we gave them and some come up with their own original ideas; They all had great imaginations! After the first night of volunteering the shelter manager, Petra invited us upstairs to introduce ourselves to the mothers who were all very thankful for our time. The second night of volunteering we decorated cookies and Christmas trees (from upside down ice-cream cones). The kids and parents were happy to see us come back and again the kids did a great job working together and using their imaginations. 
      Grass-roots reform is a viable solution to help women achieve gender equality and ease the hardships of the impoverished. While I was helping with the kids I realized that three hours per week for two weeks was obviously not enough time to achieve any solution entirely but it was certainly helping a little. I also thought about “The Dot” story and believe that by helping out a little at the shelter it could possibly grow exponentially as those kids grow up and realize the value in communal support. Perhaps the six hours that the five of us in the group spent at the shelter may have influenced the 30 kids we worked with to help other people in need and better the community as a whole.
     Petra the Shelter manager was very helpful and a very busy. Unfortunately she could not complete the questions we gave her in time for this blog but I spoke with her on the phone this evening and she is going to get them to me as soon as she can. Thank you to all the great kids and parents at the Shelter for allowing us into your home and thank you Petra for your dedication to the people of Flint.

Christ Enrichment Center Take Action Project final

          This take action project has not only opened my eyes it has reestablished me in my community. I can honestly say I have been out of touch with my community since being laid off from the Flint Board of Education. This project has reignited my spark and allowed me to see what needs to be done and how I can continue to work with the community even if right now I am not working.

          Healthy Start is through the Genesee County Health Department and is housed in the Christ Enrichment center. Healthy Start targets Moms at risk of infant mortality, it is primarily gaged at the African American population and the ages range from 16 – 25. Young moms are recruited a during their delivery time at the hospital or during their visit with their DHS worker. Social workers speak with them and encourage them into the program. Healthy start enrolls the women and their children in what is called Baby College. Transportation is provided, a healthy lunch for the moms and babies and then they transition to the focus group.

          During my volunteer time I was first briefed by the supervisor on what was on the agenda for the day and the specifics of what I was expected to do.  I transitioned to the meeting area and begin to set up the meal and prepare the tables. Had the chance to converse with the Social workers who conduct the focus groups. Although in my opinion their passion for the ladies did not seem as intense as the supervisor but I admired their dedication to their field. The ladies and the babies began to arrive and the specifics of the volunteer expectations went ‘out the window’. The children seem to gravitate to me as well as the parents once I was introduced. I was asked by the social workers to come into the group and my input was welcomed by all. The moms sat, talked and laughed with me. I’m pointing this out because in that community strangers are not taken too well. It usually takes a view visits to be welcomed warmly. It was as if they knew me. I was ecstatic to be in my element, back working, empowering and encouraging young women. The focus group was centered on problem solving, loving of yourself and your children. They were encouraged to establish a support group within the healthy start group so during the holiday meeting when there was no formal meeting they could still support one another. Before the ladies left they had interaction time with their babies using everyday household objects to engage the babies (e.g. a card board box), and believe it or not the children appeared to have more fun with the boxes than the toys provided. Between the moms in reference to a support group, a Christmas party was planned with secret Santa between the ladies.

          I thoroughly enjoyed this project, it was, to me, the best part of this class. Today I received a call from the supervisor of Healthy Start, and to my surprise, my presence has been requested to attend the last meeting of the year.  It is an honor just to be considered, and to have the opportunity to positively take action in my community.