Little Person

This past Saturday was my last day of making lunches to pass out to homeless, hungry individuals on my streets of Everett. My experience has been, for whatever reason, not entirely shocking for me. This seems strange because when I really think about what it must mean for someone to be homeless it is quite shocking. However, I have felt like I was simply doing something that was helpful for my community over these past Saturdays. One might even say that I've felt pleasant while interacting with my homeless community, as I then head home to my family and my heated apartment with my comfy bed and fridge of food. This Saturday was not the same for me. Tears are coming to my eyes still.

As I went in to the Everett Public Library with Sharon, to corral the down trodden folks utilizing some free heat, the seeming endless amounts of faces that were receptive to our message of "lunch is being served out front for about the next 15 minutes if you're hungry" was shocking. There had to have been at least 30-40 men in need. So far this is the highest number of people, not that we've come across in a day, but definitely grouped together at the library. A man that Sharon had given a jacket to a couple of weeks prior was there. Tenessee accent, handsome, smiling, and polite, this man generously shared his personal progress with us that he'd made over the weeks, applying at numerous jobs as well as for a FAFSA on-line to become one of us ( a college student that is). All it takes is a lack of income and there too go I. Without a home and in need of food, working against circumstances that are working against him, this man is seeking help and a way to improve his life. All I could think was that I know how freaking hard it is for so many people to find a job right now. And how quickly we all could experience this same situation of homelessness.

After giving away most of our food at the library, we headed to the transit station, where most people were too cold to want to chit-chat with us. More lunches met the mouths of hungry people. We then drove down the street to Everett's men's mission, which is where I ended up losing all illusions of "pleasantries" that I had been experiencing. Now, although I had been to the mission on prior Saturdays passing out lunches, today struck me hard. We got out of the car, preparing to serve the few sac lunches we had left, along with some cup-o-noodles and hot chocolate, courtesy of the large hot water dispenser in the back of Sharon's car. First of all, I was freezing, and I was wearing layers of a shirt, a sweatshirt, a heavy jacket, and oh yea, did I mention, socks and shoes, too. As I looked around I saw numerous bodies sleeping on the cement ground, some under tarps, most tucked between cars and the wall of the overpassing bridge. Within minutes we had a crowd of people, and soon the sac lunches were gone, as were the cup-o-noodles, and lastly the hot chocolates. No body was rude or grabby or pushy. Nope. Everybody waited there turn, even the man that showed up behind me, wearing no jacket, no sweatshirt, no socks and no shoes. He was as patient and polite as ever, even while he shivered. I asked him what size shoe he wore, and so did one of the other volunteer students, as it was shocking. And then there was a woman, a mother that showed up alongside of me, holding her four year old daughter's hand, waiting patiently and quietly. . . for nothing as all of our resources had been passed out. I felt frantic that we must have something left, and surely we did. One capri sun that had been hiding under a plastic bag. So as the little person and her mother walked away I followed to hand her the juice. I asked her if she was out in the elements and she told me "No, we have an apartment". This was not as reassurring as one might think, as just because you have a roof over your head doesn't mean that you can afford the bill to heat the rooms or keep cold any food in a fridge. And as this woman was there with the intention of getting warm clothes from the mission, it was apparent that she was in need. I turned to get into the car and I couldn't help myself. I cried. Like a little baby. I cried.


Now, what happened next I believe was somewhat against protocol, but Sharon took us students up to the Goodwill, where she purchased a very nice pair of boots (we'd already given him socks), a sweatshirt, a jacket, a sleeping bag, and a super warm blanket for the man we had met with no shoes on his feet. We also found a sweet pink blanket and a stuffed polar bear for the four-year old we'd met. Unfortunately, we weren't able to give it to her as there were five more children by the time we showed back up and then how do you single out just one child amidst a group of them in need? As for the man's items, we bundled them up as small and discreetly as possible, so that we didn't draw any undue attention his way. This was because we were trying to avert anything bad from befalling him after we'd left, such as him being jumped for his new sleeping bag or boots.

Sharon spent just over $50 at the Goodwill, but I quickly saw how this would add up for a person that chose to purchase items for people in need. One person cannot possibly save an entire community in need, however, we can. There have got to be people out there that have some kind of a plan or that are intelligent enough to come up with a way to start. Sharon made mention of the Housing Authority needing volunteers for certain projects and she couldn't figure out why in the world they didn't employ our homeless community and pay them with food and shelter. So she is one person with some beautiful and progressive ideas that presented to the "right" person could change the course of humanity. Because no matter what, no human being deserves to know such desolate conditions of life. If you have even an ounce of give in you, you can make a difference. If you wonder where you should start, call Sharon Shultz @ 425-388-9037.

Another Day, Another Lesson

As I near the end of my service obligation with the Vineyard Church, making and passing out sac lunches, I reflect on the four Saturday mornings I have spent there. The privilege I have felt in working with Sharon, the church members, fellow students and the community in which we've been serving, has almost matched the feelings of personal growth that I have experienced. I have specifically been able to assess my interactions, as well as my reactions, toward people that I have worked with. I often have a difficult time when working with others, as I can take quick offense to suggestions that come my way. Such a situation occurred this past Saturday when it was suggested to me that I change my approach in how I was offering up our sac lunches. Initially I felt irritated, though I bit my tongue, which was growth for me in and of itself and then I brought it up with Sharon. I feel that she gave me sound advice in suggesting that I asked the homeless people that I have been working with how they would like to be approached or if the way in which I was offering them lunches was offensive or okay. And who better to find out this answer than to ask the people in which I am dealing with?
After having this discussion I felt the hotness that had flooded my cheeks leave. I believe that this service learning experience will benefit my personal life, as well as my future career as a nurse, and I am hopeful that I will continue being a part of service. For me, learning how to "behave" is still a work in progress. Working in a group setting has aloud me to inch forward a little more in my personal growth. By not reacting in defensiveness and anger, I eventually allowed another view to be relevant and helpful for another chance to learn.

Three Cups of Tea vs. Service Learning

Saturday, February 7th, I attended my third service learning experience. Part of the assignment I have been given is to compare the book, Three Cups of Tea, with my service learning participation. In the book a mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, shares his story of failure in regards to his attempt at scaling K2, a mountain located in northern Pakistan. However, his efforts are not in vain when he loses his way, stumbling into a very poor, Korphe village. Here Greg's life calling is found and he charges to build a school for the people he grows so fond of in this village. This begins a long list of many humanitarian projects he spearheads. This man is admirable, courageous and devoted to a cause and I cannot compare the service work that I am doing to it. I am a part of feeding my communities homeless people not because I valiantly woke up one morning with a drive to do so, however I woke up to a letter from Phebe Shen letting me know that I would be participating in some type of service to learn, as well as to receive a grade, in her English 98 class. And though I have loved the opportunity, and surprisingly found that many of my close girlfriends are driven to this type of service with no Phebe Shen :), the comparison I find doesn't lie within myself. Sharon Shultz is the person whose work parallels that of Mr. Mortenson's, as she is Everett Community College's Service Learning Director, and it is she who has ample knowledge, ability and action to produce massive change throughout countless avenues in our communities. I am grateful to have had the privilege to work and meet with someone who feels so passionately as Sharon in regards to helping those in need around her, and who has been successful in linking students as an "army", and endless supply of people, to the work that is so desperately needed, whether in our streets or in our elderly care facilities.
I am confident that even when my time as a student comes to pass, whenever that may be, that Sharon will be an available and infinite source of knowledge to me and our community when ever we choose to make ourselves available to the work of service. Thanks to God, there are people as inspiring as Greg Mortenson and Sharon Shultz in our world. Thanks to teachers like Phebe Shen I have gotten off my behind to help be a part of my local community.

Donations Can Be Made

Donations for food, clothing, and hygiene products can be made to The Vineyard Church, located on Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. There are members available on Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings into early afternoon and also on Sunday mornings to accept donations. This Saturday I will be taking part in my third service learning experience and I am looking forward to a new days experience.

Still Not Enough

Saturday, at 10 a.m., my friend came along with me to assist in the preparation and distribution of sac lunches to Everett's homeless community. Because of the latest salmonella scare, Sharon bought lunch meat rather than peanut butter and jam, and we were also blessed by the Vineyard church members, a married couple, who showed up bearing gifts of egg salad, 3 more loaves of bread, and fruit leather snacks. This gave us much more food than we had originally started with. We split up into groups of threes and I drove our group down to the mission, where many of our homeless men will either stay, or attempt to stay at, especially in such bitterly cold conditions as we've had. There was no chatting with these men, as the 3 big bags full of lunches were gone in just seconds of arriving. There was still not enough food for two more men that didn't beat the "lunch rush", but I don't know that there really ever is. I believe that whatever efforts are contributed to helping another person is meaningful. Big or small. Responding when a person asks you a question, taking a friend out to lunch, offering to be a part of something without being asked, as my friend did. These are all meaningful acts of kindness. We can all successfully contribute to our surroundings and make an impact.

Service Learning Experience

I met with Sharon on Saturday to distribute sack lunches to Everett's community of homeless and low-income people. There were a group of about eight of us, including Vineyard's Church members and other students, who met first at the college to watch a documentary on homeless youth in Seattle. This film really exposed me to a side of life I have never put any thought into. A large percentage of homeless are people who have run away, been kicked out, or who have been in some way institutionalized.

While preparing meals consisting of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, oranges and capri-suns, I felt like I was back in my kitchen preparing lunch for my children. It was very comforting and uplifting to be a part of this group working together on a mission to serve our local community. As we exited the church doors onto Wetmore Avenue, I couldn't help but feel butterflies in my stomach. Our intentions set aside, how would I be received when I told someone that I was with a meal outreach program and asked if they were hungry? We were received well, that's how. After splitting off into smaller groups, and covering a good chunk of ground, we had handed out all 32 lunches that we had set out with.

Now the clouds did not part for me during this experience. I felt like I had spent my Saturday doing something I should have been doing; being a part of something greater than my own self obsession, beyond my four walls and it felt refreshing.

Ready

Bring on today, bring joy in this moment
Remind me of Your presence.