I had the opportunity to work with the MacDonald Center, an organization that supports individuals with mental illnesses and physical disabilities by providing housing and other support services. The group from Portland State was joined with a group from Sonoma State University to engage in the day's activities.
We had an orientation provided by Sarah, a Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumnus, who has been with the MacDonald Center since 2006. She explained each of the activities that were planned for the day before we connected in smaller teams. I joined with five other students in a project at one of the residential buildings that the MacDonald Center utilizes to house their members. Low-income individuals in Portland are subject to monthly city inspections, ensuring they are keeping their apartment clean to list of established minimums. The MacDonald Center works with individuals who cannot meet these standards on their own, typically due to mental illness or physical disability. They strive to make sure that everyone remains housed. Our job was to clean the living areas of people who had failed the last inspection.
In our project, we worked with Jesse, who has been with the organization for over 20 years! Jesse shared with us that the person whose apartment we were to clean first was a man who utilizes a wheelchair after a train accident many years ago. Unable to clean the walls on his own, our small team set to work scrubbing and wiping down the walls and floor. My mission - the bathroom.
I appreciated the opportunity to get to know the other students during the project. We chatted about how they were involved in an alternative break and what they wanted to do when they grew up. I really missed my AWOLers from USD, and reflected on my past experiences in Kansas City, scrubbing the walls of a heavy smoker with a mental illness, similar, thought I must say the KC experience was much more difficult to muscle.
I had a great discussion with Jesse about the members (what they call their "clients") of the organization. Most everyone suffered from a mental illness which led to a disability. Drug and alcohol abuse was also a problem, but he mentioned that the mental illness typically led to the drug use. I have several good friends who work professionally with people with mental illnesses and have always admired the work they are able to do. Though I have little experience in the area, I know it is challenging, yet rewarding, and those who've committed their lives to supporting individuals with mental illnesses are some of the strongest people I know.
Following my work with the MacDonald Center, it was once again time for some HOBY love. Today, I focused solely on HOBY Oregon, and was able to knock several things off the to do list. Our youth leadership seminar is less than 60 days away, and it is overwhelming to think of all that needs to be done yet! Thanks to a great conversation with a fellow HOBY volunteer from another state, I felt much more confident with where I was with the seminar planning! There were enough things crossed off on my to-do list to start a new one. Unfortunately, I was able to list more tasks to bring the list to the bottom of the page...the work of a HOBY Volunteer is never done!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
AWOLA - Day 1 - March 26, 2012
Plans of leaving the house and engaging in a day of service on the Portland State University campus were unfortunately changed last minute when a wicked reminder of my looming end to the fun in funemployment was realized. I have been busy applying for jobs in the past few weeks, sprucing up my resume, crafting cover letters, and connecting with mentors and former colleagues who have provided a wealth of support. One application, requiring three letters of reference, was due today, and when it was time for me to head out on my AWOL excursion, I was still one letter short of a full application.
I stayed home today to wait for the final letter. A little bout of "funny tummy" convinced me that it might be best to stay close to home as well. The letter arrived in the early afternoon, unfortunately too late for me to participate in my planned project, but early enough for me to make some great progress on my HOBY to-do list. EIGHT items were crossed off the list, and with two Skype conference calls thrown in, it was quite the productive day. I even had the chance to finally put some stamps on post cards Dan and I had written on our move to Portland in 2010, and write up a few HOBY Hug notes to some well-deserving volunteers.
The downside to not leaving home for an alternative break adventure is that your real life commitments get in the way too - laundry, dishes, making the bed, etc. BUT, I did also get some time to finally decide on a health insurance plan and have a Skype date with my adorable nephew who turns four on Wednesday!
I stayed home today to wait for the final letter. A little bout of "funny tummy" convinced me that it might be best to stay close to home as well. The letter arrived in the early afternoon, unfortunately too late for me to participate in my planned project, but early enough for me to make some great progress on my HOBY to-do list. EIGHT items were crossed off the list, and with two Skype conference calls thrown in, it was quite the productive day. I even had the chance to finally put some stamps on post cards Dan and I had written on our move to Portland in 2010, and write up a few HOBY Hug notes to some well-deserving volunteers.
The downside to not leaving home for an alternative break adventure is that your real life commitments get in the way too - laundry, dishes, making the bed, etc. BUT, I did also get some time to finally decide on a health insurance plan and have a Skype date with my adorable nephew who turns four on Wednesday!
Friday, March 16, 2012
2nd AWOLA Trip Plans Set!
Plans for my 2nd annual AWOLA trip are set!
I'm excited to be exploring the Portland, Oregon, area and involving myself in service at several organizations through the Student Leaders for Service organization at Portland State University. Each day I will be serving with a different organization, coordinated by a different leader in the SIS crew. I am really excited to see parts of Portland I have not yet experienced - beyond the food carts and coffee shops!
In between organized projects with SLS, I will likely be working diligently on my HOBY to-do list. I am chairing the Oregon seminar, and co-chairing the South Dakota seminar, along with working on some areas of the strategic plan for HOBY International. My hands are definitely full, but I am really enjoying all that I have learned!
My 2011 AWOLA partner is unfortunately going to be traveling for work during much of my AWOLA week, but I hope to tie him in for some projects when he gets back. So, for now, its me and the IYQ Vue headed out in PDX!
In what might end up being the only blog post I'll end up making (I have a horrible blogging history), here is my planned itinerary:
PSU Shattuck Hall EcoPlaza
Monday 3/26, 10:30-2:00
The Shattuck Hall EcoPlaza is a student-led project which combines a community gathering space with research into green building strategies including green walls and roofs and permeable paving. Come help us finish the permeable paving installation of this space and learn more about the vision for this space as both an academic and community resource.
Monday 3/26, 10:30-2:00
The Shattuck Hall EcoPlaza is a student-led project which combines a community gathering space with research into green building strategies including green walls and roofs and permeable paving. Come help us finish the permeable paving installation of this space and learn more about the vision for this space as both an academic and community resource.
MacDonald Center Spring Cleaning & Celebration
Tuesday 3/27, 10:30-12:00 & 12:00-3:00
The MacDonald Center "nurtures the body, mind, and spirit of the forgotten poor" many of whom have mobility issues. In the morning, we'll be helping to clean and organize residents' rooms so they can continue living independently with dignity. In the afternoon, we'll take part in a celebration which brings residents together for some much needed levity and social interaction. We'll also help to set up for and clean up after the party.
SCRAP
Wednesday 3/28, 10:30-1:30
Come join in on a fun work party doing a variety of projects to help SCRAP fulfill their goal of diverting usable items away from the landfill and into the hands of our community at a very low cost. Who knows what you may discover as you sort, organize and tidy up the retail store and workshop room. Guaranteed to be a creatively enlightening experience!
Wednesday 3/28, 10:30-1:30
Come join in on a fun work party doing a variety of projects to help SCRAP fulfill their goal of diverting usable items away from the landfill and into the hands of our community at a very low cost. Who knows what you may discover as you sort, organize and tidy up the retail store and workshop room. Guaranteed to be a creatively enlightening experience!
Oregon Food Bank
Thursday 3/29, 9:30-11:30
Interested in hunger issues in Oregon? Help Oregon Food Bank distribute food to hungry families. We'll be working to organize and repackage bulk food donations and take a tour of the warehouse and learn more about the root causes of hunger.
Vernon School Garden
Thursday 3/29, 1:00-4:00
In 2007, 600 volunteers from across Portland came together to create this school garden which connects students to their food and the natural world. Come build on their efforts by helping to maintain the garden for future generations of students. The work will be typical of a community garden -- weeding, pruning, and mulching.
Thursday 3/29, 9:30-11:30
Interested in hunger issues in Oregon? Help Oregon Food Bank distribute food to hungry families. We'll be working to organize and repackage bulk food donations and take a tour of the warehouse and learn more about the root causes of hunger.
Vernon School Garden
Thursday 3/29, 1:00-4:00
In 2007, 600 volunteers from across Portland came together to create this school garden which connects students to their food and the natural world. Come build on their efforts by helping to maintain the garden for future generations of students. The work will be typical of a community garden -- weeding, pruning, and mulching.
Clinton Community Garden
Friday 3/30, 9:00-12:00
Get some exercise out in the fresh air, learn a new plant fact or two and enjoy a well-earned sense of accomplishment as we work together to spruce up the Clinton Community Garden. Tasks might include cleaning up paths, weeding, mulching, removing invasive species, building beds and/or planting.
Zenger Farm
Friday 3/30, 2:00-5:00
Time to get dirty! We'll be helping out with the farm work at this non-profit farm and wetland dedicated to promoting sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship and local economic development. We'll also get a chance to learn about the unique programs coming out of this farm which benefit its low-income neighbors and the broader community.
Friday 3/30, 9:00-12:00
Get some exercise out in the fresh air, learn a new plant fact or two and enjoy a well-earned sense of accomplishment as we work together to spruce up the Clinton Community Garden. Tasks might include cleaning up paths, weeding, mulching, removing invasive species, building beds and/or planting.
Zenger Farm
Friday 3/30, 2:00-5:00
Time to get dirty! We'll be helping out with the farm work at this non-profit farm and wetland dedicated to promoting sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship and local economic development. We'll also get a chance to learn about the unique programs coming out of this farm which benefit its low-income neighbors and the broader community.
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