Course Week 5 Experiences

Friends,

This week I promise to get my act together with this blog. I really desire this to be a good experience where we can learn from one another. Too often, as I have said, the teacher is the only person who gets the privilege of reading others' work. This is really sad. Students have good experiences and they should be shared. Even when experiences at service learning sites are difficult, they too need to be shared with others for the sake of support.

Post a comment if you served in Week 5 to this post!

Dean

Course Week 4 Experiences

Friends,
This week one of the way I have served in the community is helping out on the Search Committee for the replacement of the Director of Campus Ministry. We had our second meeting today. One of the things I learned is that people bring diverse questions and experiences to the table as we begin to sort through resumes. It is so important to be aware of my own bias as I enter a group like this. I wouldn't want to exclude a candidate because of something that triggers a negative vibe for me in the resume. Others may not have the same issue. I have made an effort to explain to others my concerns and then also own up to my own insufficiencies.

Post your Week 4 responses as a comment to this post!

Dean

Service

On Tuesday night (9-18-07) I did my first service project. I went to the Dubuque Rescue Mission to help serve dinner. When I first got there I was a little nervous just because I did not really know what to expect. Right after I got there we were given a tour of the mission. That made me feel a little more comfortable, but at the same time a little uneasy too since we were the only girls around except for the ones that were coming in for the meal. However everyone that worked there made me feel really at ease and were really nice. I really enjoyed serving the food to the people and loved to see how they all interacted with each other. It was easy to see who the regular ones were that came there and how they were real familar with the workers. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and can't wait to go back next week.

Service

Last night(9/18/07) I did my first service for the semester. I went to the Dubuque Rescue Mission and helped serve food for the dinner meal there. When I was there I realized how many people in this world have a hard life and rely on places like the rescue mission. The people who work there were very nice and made me feel very comfortable.

Serving week 1

Tonight, Tuesday, September 18th, was my first night serving for my service learning project. I chose to work at the Hope House because I wanted to do some sort of food service. Hunger is something no one should have to feel. I met some young people who lived at the Hope House. They come there to be part of a community. They are religious and care about service. When I got there I entered the kitchen and met 4 people, Eric, whom I had spoken to on the phone. Also, George, Miranda, and Jenny were people who lived there, also living there are a 20 year old mother and her two year old daughter. Also, living there is a women named Penny and her 12 year old son. After being introduced and having the others introduce themselves. They told me about the Catholic Workers Movement. They explained that it was started to help the poor. When it was time for dinner we took bowls out to the table and then took the food out to the table. Then I sat with the people who came for the meal. I ate with them and talked with them. I talked to a young man who sat next to me mostly. After dinner I helped do dishes with two of the men that came to eat. Then I stayed after dinner with the people who lived there and two students from Loras and sat at a table talk discussing Non-Participation.