Take Action project-Final reflection

The first day I went to the YWCA I met with a legal advocate for the women. This lady, whose name I didn't get a chance to write down, helps women to fill out their “PPO’s” (Personal protection order). After helping the women with the process of filling it out, she takes it over to the court and gives it to the judge’s to either approve their request, or deny it, than she gives it back to the women.   This woman does so much more than just the PPO’s. She also talked about how she had gone to the hospital before to be there for some women who are severely abused and don’t have anyone to be there for them. She told us about how if anyone else calls in sick, she will do their job for them for that day. I thought it was very cool how everyone in that organization works together and fills in for each other. I found that to be heart touching.  I asked her what it’s like to do what she does. She told me that it’s very rewarding, and she loves every moment of it. We talked about how hard it is to see and deal with some of the cases she’s dealt with, but at the same time she knows she’s making a difference and that’s all that matters to her. It’s worth it to her to go home at the end of the day knowing that she made a difference in one of these women’s lives.

I split my hours there into two days. After meeting with the legal advocate the first day, I went and helped organize the Christmas store for 2 hours. There was so much work that needed to be done there, and so much stuff to be organized. I honestly really enjoyed putting all of the donations into different rooms and help make a difference. I did the same thing the second day I went. I only needed an hour more to complete the requirement for this class, but I was honestly just enjoying my time there, so I ended up staying for an extra hour. Even after I left on my second day there, there was still so much work that needed to be done. They had SO many donations, and really needed help organizing all of them so that the kids and the mothers can come pick out gifts for each other. I felt so happy for volunteering, and wished I had more time to volunteer more often, because it really was a great opportunity.  Even though I felt as though I wish I had more time to help, I felt like the very littler that I did help made a big difference.  I am very glad that I made the decision to volunteer at the YWCA.

I feel as though the project really completed my learning for the course. I feel like because I volunteered at a safe house for women, I was able to learn about and be at a place where some women similar to the ones we talk about in class come to. I feel like it made everything we talked about come true because I heard stories and was at a place where there were actually life women there that have real struggles. It just made everything more real for me because it wasn’t just words in a book or a movie of people I’d never seen or met. It was real life people in front of me telling me about these women and their stories. To have helped a little by organizing the Christmas store to help give all these kids and women a better Christmas really made a difference for me. I feel as though this take action project was one of the best and most rewarding projects I’ve done because this project helped to really make a difference.  I actually plan on volunteering more at the YWCA over the next couple of weeks when I get an opening in my schedule since I already have all the paperwork done.  Overall I feel as though this project was a huge success for me and I enjoyed volunteering at the YWCA more than I imagined I would.