I attended Mass this morning at the United Methodist Church, and the youth put together the service, which was really upbeat, enlightening, and full of great insight to what the youth group has to offer. The service was full of smiles and music and praying, and it was a really uplifting ceremony.
I later attended the youth group session tonight, and we were joined by two other churches, Sherill and Key West. It was really nice to get to meet some of the new youth that came to our youth group to visit, and we all worked together in getting to know one another better. The youth session was focused on self-esteem, how each of us views ourselves, and how we can make things better if we do not have good self -confidence. We talked about certain factors and feelings that make us feel the way we do about ourselves, and how we see ourselves in relation to strength. We discussed every day events that may bring us down and keep us in the shadows of others, and it was interesing to her individual stories from the youth about times when they were looked down upon by others, or treated badly when they shouldn't have been.
After the discussion we all shared in pointing out positive things about one another, and it was clear to see that it lifted some of the youth up, with smiles and laughter. We all adapted really well to being open and honest with one another, and it was a very positive action that the leader took in addressing self-esteem issues in young teens today. We took time to pray for those who feel inferior to others, and for those who feel that they will always be below others no matter what. It was a touchy discussion because it was clear that it made some of the youth uncomfortable at first, but once people started sharing, it was as if the youth realized that most everyone falls victim to self-esteem issues.
After our discussion we got together to pray, and to offer up ourselves and others to the lord. We asked that the lord watch over every individual in spite of the Thanksgiving holiday, and that traveling goes safe, the weather is fair, and that those who cannot be with their families on this holiday know that they are in our prayers. We then discussed the Thanksgiving dinner we will be serving down at the Hope House in Dubuque on Tuesday night. The youth seemed very enthused by our actions to help the less fortunate during the holiday, and many of them volunteered to go down to the Hope House and serve the Thanksgiving dinner with me and the leaders.
It was sad that this was our last night together as a group. I really learned a lot from the youth group, and the leaders as well. I can honestly say that gathering each week, talking, and sharing things about our lives really helped me to become more open, less shy, and a more positive person. I know that I will keep in contact with the youth group at UMC because I became great friends with some of the members, and they have been there for me in times of need as well. This service learning project was a great experience, and if I could do it over again, there would be no doubt that I would choose to go back to the Center Grove UMC.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Last Day at St. Vincent De Paul
When Dustin and I got there, the lady who was working knew exactly what we were they for this time, but that didn't really matter because they guy who told us what to do last time was right out on the store floor and guided us to the back part of the store. When he led us back this time, we started to do what we did last time, taking things out on to the store floor from the back room. After we moved everything that needed to be moved, he had us sweep the floors of the back room like last time. Then he sent us out to set up some TVs to play the movie "The Lion King." I remember having an old TV in my basement and having to set the color and contrast ratios on it. This apparently came in handy when we found a TV where all the colors were screwed up on it. I fiddled around with it for about 5 minutes and got the problem solved.
Eventually, the guy who gave us our things to do had left the building for a bit, so we were directed by some other people to do some more work. Somewhere in this time, Dustin and I helped load a piece of furniture into a guy's car. He seemed really happy that it fit in without having to have the back hatch of his car have to hang open. Apparently he was going on a trip and didn't want to have to take this piece of furniture home first.
After about half our time working there had past, Dustin and I were assigned to sort clothes. It was pretty simple. All we had to do was sort the summer clothes from the winter clothes, and throw out all the bad clothes. Dustin and I sorted clothes and talked for what was the rest of the day. The only thing that happened other than that, was when some other employees left and I changed the radio station to a different one because I couldn't stand the music that was on it, I'm more of a classic to late 80's rock guy myself.
That pretty much sums up what happened.
Eventually, the guy who gave us our things to do had left the building for a bit, so we were directed by some other people to do some more work. Somewhere in this time, Dustin and I helped load a piece of furniture into a guy's car. He seemed really happy that it fit in without having to have the back hatch of his car have to hang open. Apparently he was going on a trip and didn't want to have to take this piece of furniture home first.
After about half our time working there had past, Dustin and I were assigned to sort clothes. It was pretty simple. All we had to do was sort the summer clothes from the winter clothes, and throw out all the bad clothes. Dustin and I sorted clothes and talked for what was the rest of the day. The only thing that happened other than that, was when some other employees left and I changed the radio station to a different one because I couldn't stand the music that was on it, I'm more of a classic to late 80's rock guy myself.
That pretty much sums up what happened.
2nd trip to St. Vincent De Paul
The second time I went, I was with Paul. Other than a set of new faces to meet, it was similar work. We moved heavy items out to the sales floor, swept, and helped carry heavy donations inside. This time there were a lot of people bringing in things to donate, which is nice to see. We also sorted clothes, which was something new. It was simply a matter of sifting through the bags of donated clothing, folding the good articles and disposing of the ones unfit to sell.
On one occasion, a man needed us to carry a piece of furniture to his car and help him load it in. It was a small car, but we managed to fit it in. The man was very grateful for our help, even though I didn't think what we did was that big of a deal. Then again, I'm used to my old job at Target where I had to fit large purchases into people's cars without any thanks. That man's appreciation was quite lifting and it stuck with me as motivation to continue working.
When our time was up, we went to talk to the man nicknamed Lonely to see if he needed us for anything else. He just joked with us and thanked us for our help. As we walked with him, one of the other volunteers started to smoke in the warehouse. Lonely joked by acting as if we were bouncers and told us to throw him out. His sense of joking around with us made me feel as if I was an actual part of the community and not just a visitor. It's these little things that I know will stick with me.
On one occasion, a man needed us to carry a piece of furniture to his car and help him load it in. It was a small car, but we managed to fit it in. The man was very grateful for our help, even though I didn't think what we did was that big of a deal. Then again, I'm used to my old job at Target where I had to fit large purchases into people's cars without any thanks. That man's appreciation was quite lifting and it stuck with me as motivation to continue working.
When our time was up, we went to talk to the man nicknamed Lonely to see if he needed us for anything else. He just joked with us and thanked us for our help. As we walked with him, one of the other volunteers started to smoke in the warehouse. Lonely joked by acting as if we were bouncers and told us to throw him out. His sense of joking around with us made me feel as if I was an actual part of the community and not just a visitor. It's these little things that I know will stick with me.
"After" Volunteering
Even though this experience has come to an end as far as this course is concerned, I will continue to tutor. Therefore, my final reflection is a bit premature, but here it is at this point, reflecting back on the hours I have volunteered thus far. The most positive part of this experience for me was watching/listening to the people I had tutored apply what we had discussed. I was thrilled to watch Max make the connection between our discussion of pumpkins to the pumpkin cake he was eating. I felt blessed being able to provide the people I worked with tools or phrases to help them order food or talk to a taxi...daily tasks that we take for granted that they were unable to communicate before coming to Presentation Lanter Center. Leaving the center each day knowing that the people I worked with weren't going to struggle surviving in an English-speaking country was great, and the most positive thing for me was knowing that I had helped them accomplish that. The most difficult part of the experience was developing methods to tutor people my age or older who were of the same intelligence as me without feeling like I was embarrassing or insulting them. My first day tutoring was probably the hardest only because it was new to me. Another difficult task was trying to translate using pictures and expressions when the picturebook wasn't sufficient. Overall though, this experience was not too difficult because the volunteers, Sr. Corine, and all the students had such great personalities and were so optimistic.
Tutoring Days 2 and 3
On Wednesday November 14th and Thursday November 15th I continued tutoring at Presentation Lantern. Although they were my 3rd and 4th visits to the center, my first day there was strictly cleaning, so these were my second and third times tutoring. My second day as a tutor I walked into the classroom and saw smiling faces of a half-dozen tutors and students. These students varied in ages, and were from all sorts of different countries. I was paired up with Norma, a middle-aged woman from South America who speaks limited English. She came to Dubuque with four sisters and a brother and all of their children. Norma has a son and is expecting another child. All of this she communicated to me through pictures and broken sentences. Part of the mission of Presentation Lantern Center is to provide hospitality, so not only do I teach English but I also get to engage in meaningful conversation with people there and learn about their lives. We develop relationships that are more like friendships than the strict student-teacher relationships of many tutoring organizations. The students are entirely voluntary, and we don't have expectations as to how far they need to advance day-to-day, so it is a very stress-free environment. Another wonderful aspect of the center is that students are allowed to bring their children with them. There is a section of the classroom that is carpeted and overflowing with toys to keep the children occupied while still in view of their parent(s). Sometimes I play with the children during our break. There is a big dollhouse that all the little girls enjoy. I find it amazing how the language barrier doesn't stop the children from playing together! Friendships are valued at the center. I have sampled some authentic Japanese teas that some of the women brought to America with them. It truly is a rewarding place to be. While there, I'm reminded of the work I do with special needs students during the summer, and I recall on methods that worked with them that I can try to express points to the new students. On Thursday I had a very difficult time explaining to Norma the difference between "how much" and "how many" and also that "should not" and "shouldn't" mean the same thing. Fortunately we found a way for her to understand, and she was excited to go to the grocery store to buy food! Even though Thursday was my last day of volunteering for this class, I will continue to tutor there because I have fallen in love with the center and the people there!
My Service Learning
Before I Volunteered
I didn't quite know what to expect before I went to volunteer at the Catholic Worker Farm In Key West. I was nervous because I am not used to working for people I do not really know, but at the same time I was at ease because I went with somebody I knew. I didn't know what I would be doing but since I had lived on a farm for 18+ years I figured it wouldn't be that hard. I didn't really have any goals other than to get acquainted with the people I was working for and to do what was asked of me.
During Volunteering
Both times I went to volunteer I went with Jenny. Both times we were there we weeded gardens. The first time I weeded a potato garden while Jenny picked peppers and eggplants. I was having fun and getting carried away with he potato fork and accidentally stabbed it into my shoe. It barley missed my toes but we had a good laugh about it. After we were done weeding the first time we went inside to ask her questions. The second time we weeded out a garden that had run down plats because they had been frosted on. Jenny pulled some of the wrong things and I felt bad for the lady and Jenny, but the lady didn't seem upset. We then pulled old broccoli plants. After we picked them off the garden we put old hay down to cover the ground. We went inside for some cider, and then we came back out to pick up chickens eggs. After that there wasn't much left to do so we left. At first my feelings toward this project were like I was too busy. I had so much going on but when I was actually there I realized that these people have busy lives sometimes too and they still have to make time to get it done. I ended up having fun while I was working. I had the most fun when the kids were outside helping. They made things fun. And when we told them something they listened. They lady we worked for, Mary Moody, was very nice. She made us feel welcomed and invited us into her house many times. Her faith is very valuable to her. I found this out because she is very involved in her work. She was talking about the Hope House often and the other programs they are involved with.
After Volunteering
The most positive part of my experience was knowing that I had helped people. Some I knew better than others. But In a way I had helped the less fortunate, even though I didn't directly help them. I helped people that help the poor. There wasn't really a hard part about volunteering. I think maybe the hardest part was finding the time to go volunteer. I have just been so busy but if you truly want to accomplish something you will set your mind to it and achieve it.
I didn't quite know what to expect before I went to volunteer at the Catholic Worker Farm In Key West. I was nervous because I am not used to working for people I do not really know, but at the same time I was at ease because I went with somebody I knew. I didn't know what I would be doing but since I had lived on a farm for 18+ years I figured it wouldn't be that hard. I didn't really have any goals other than to get acquainted with the people I was working for and to do what was asked of me.
During Volunteering
Both times I went to volunteer I went with Jenny. Both times we were there we weeded gardens. The first time I weeded a potato garden while Jenny picked peppers and eggplants. I was having fun and getting carried away with he potato fork and accidentally stabbed it into my shoe. It barley missed my toes but we had a good laugh about it. After we were done weeding the first time we went inside to ask her questions. The second time we weeded out a garden that had run down plats because they had been frosted on. Jenny pulled some of the wrong things and I felt bad for the lady and Jenny, but the lady didn't seem upset. We then pulled old broccoli plants. After we picked them off the garden we put old hay down to cover the ground. We went inside for some cider, and then we came back out to pick up chickens eggs. After that there wasn't much left to do so we left. At first my feelings toward this project were like I was too busy. I had so much going on but when I was actually there I realized that these people have busy lives sometimes too and they still have to make time to get it done. I ended up having fun while I was working. I had the most fun when the kids were outside helping. They made things fun. And when we told them something they listened. They lady we worked for, Mary Moody, was very nice. She made us feel welcomed and invited us into her house many times. Her faith is very valuable to her. I found this out because she is very involved in her work. She was talking about the Hope House often and the other programs they are involved with.
After Volunteering
The most positive part of my experience was knowing that I had helped people. Some I knew better than others. But In a way I had helped the less fortunate, even though I didn't directly help them. I helped people that help the poor. There wasn't really a hard part about volunteering. I think maybe the hardest part was finding the time to go volunteer. I have just been so busy but if you truly want to accomplish something you will set your mind to it and achieve it.
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