Community_Service

Community Service Peter Hussey Western Michigan University Communication and Community Engagement COM 1000 Chad Edwards & Amanda Goddard April 07, 2011 Community Service I thought this assignment would be interesting and allow me to do some good for the community. I chose to work with the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission because my grandmother use to volunteer at the missions and it was something she considered very important. While at the Kalamazoo Gospel the training stressed the privacy issue of all clients at the shelter so I am unable to mention any one by name. I learned a lot about careful preparation of the hot suppers, how to recognize someone high on drugs or alcohol and how to handle a difficult client. We were assigned a staff member with us at all times, and knew where a direct line to the nearby police station was. All of this made me very nervous. Just what kind of people was I going to help' My fears mostly dissolved when I walked into the recreation room of the shelter and met some of the clients. They wanted to take advantage of the heat since it was still cold outside. A silver-haired woman in her sixties, sat with a couple of other older women at a table playing cards. I nodded to them, and they smiled at me. I helped cut up vegetables for the salad for the evening meal. While we worked people came in with bags of groceries that were donated to the shelter. "Whenever Meijer has a buy one get one for free, or sometimes two for free, our donations go up," the director explained to me. I learned the shelter also provided meals to others who do not live at the shelter but have limited resources. They even give each person a bag to take home for an evening sandwich. A couple of neatly dressed silver-haired women walked in with a tray of brownies. "We thought this would make a nice dessert," one of them said. "People are generous," I remarked, as I cut the brownies into small squares so there would be enough for all those eating. I was grateful our town offered these services to those in need. My assigned staff member said, "Those ladies come in at least once a week with a dessert they've made. Scout groups, 4H groups, and church groups also contribute. Our clients really enjoy the treats." I felt good that I was contributing by volunteering. Most offered us a smile and a thank you, though a couple of the men looked sullen and dejected. Before eating someone offered a prayer of thanks for the food. Volunteers are invited to join in a meal if there is enough food left. State health law prevents the shelter from saving cooked food. What was not eaten had to be discarded. I wondered why there was such a strict law when the left overs looked perfectly good to me. I mean, I eat left overs. It has something to do with the food being out a certain amount of time and the possibility of bacteria. Nonperishables could be put away, and any food donated but not used. So heads of lettuce, celery and carrots were put into the refrigerator. The dessert all went. No left overs there, but a local supermarket donated outdated bags of chips and pretzels. We would give those out later for the evening recreation. I volunteered for two hours at a time. That is the minimum per day. Volunteers are required to work two hour shifts at least twice a month. If you want to work more, that's fine, but they don't want to burden us. They would rather have an army of volunteers than a few people who burned themselves out. I was happy to be excused from cleanup duty and allowed to supervise in the recreation room. I brought in shopping bags filled with the donated snacks and handed them out. Another lady went around with a cart giving people soft drinks. The large TV set had a VCR attached, but everyone was watching the nightly news. Even the card playing ladies were sitting near each other watching TV and talking about the news. I guess what surprised me the most was the way people were dressed. They looked like anyone else. The time I volunteered there was no problem with drunks or drug addicts, although other volunteers told me sometimes they do have to call the police. The cots at the shelter were all comfortable and had clean pillows and blankets. There were shower and changing areas. Everyone was required to shower before bed time. If anyone needed clothes, they were allowed to help themselves from the racks of donated goods. Once it is bed time, you have no choice but sleep in one of the cots. Lights out is set by the director and you go to a cot whether or not you are tired. There is no reading in bed either. Personal freedom is limited by the necessary regulations. One side of the room is for women, one side for men, separated by a curtain. A paid supervisor is on duty all night, but volunteers also work the late night shift. My personal experience was rewarding, but I have to admit some of the people mad me uncomfortable. I didn't give out my full name or let anyone except the director, know where I lived. I had a fear a drug addict would come after me to rob me or worse. I know, that isn't compassionate but it was a concern of mine. I'll continue to volunteer and help out sometimes. I won't volunteer to work the overnight shift though. I hope if you have an opportunity to help you will do so also. Even a few hours a month will mean a great deal to those who administer these programs.