On March 21st I returned to the house we worked at for Habitat. I was participating in the service project for WE Lead and I was very excited to work with Chuck again. The house looked pretty similar to how we had left it a few weeks ago. Because I loved working outside so much last time, Chuck appointed me to run things in the backyard while he helped most of the rest of the group inside. A tree had been cut down so we helped cut the remains into pieces and put them into the dumpster. Later we ordered in pizza and wings for lunch and got new jobs for the rest of our afternoon. I helped hammer nails into the walls upstairs anywhere they were missing.
It was wonderful meeting new people again. I loved working for Habitat during ASB so I jumped at the chance to participate again. I believe it was Melanie that was telling me next year UB will have a program to participate in Habitat twice a month! If this works out you will definitely see me there!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
My Experience
A week full of volunteering activities, exploring Buffalo, lots of fun, meeting new and interesting people, making friends... all these and more happened at ASB.
Initially, Alternative Spring Break, for me, was just another opportunity to do volunteering. I had not expected or foreseen that I would make friends with people. In general, I am an introvert. I am not very open to people quickly. Added to it, I was the only Master's student except Lindsey who was a co-leader of the team. So, I was sort of prepared to be lonely. But cheers to the group, I was so much involved in it that by the end of the week I was actually surprised that I made friendship with them. The team was very good and the best I have seen till date for any kind of volunteering. The team members were very active and helpful and were always prepared and ready for new assignments. It was great fun working with them. Underline my words, Terri and Lindsey were awesome team leaders and were great positive role-models.
Each of the organizations that we visited were unique in itself and provided us with enriching experience. Habitat, Buffalo ReUse, University Heights Collaborative, People, Inc, Compeer, City Mission and Junior Achievement.. all of these taught me a new meaning of volunteering. It was fun and great learning opportunity. The people who worked for these organizations did noble job and were yet humble. I salute the people who work here.
In the process of volunteering, I discovered Buffalo. Till now, Buffalo, for me, was limited to the area around school and home. But ASB gave me a chance to explore Buffalo. I feel more connected to this place than ever before. We dined in good restaurants and visited some nice places. Buffalo is indeed a city of Good Neighbors :)
Through ASB, I realized a lot of things. Ilearned that I am so much more privileged than many others, and I have the ability to help them. In the midst of all pains and problems, people in the organizations like People, Inc, City Mission and Junior Achievement laugh, help others and be happy for what they have. I learned a whole new perspective about volunteering. Even a small help sometimes means so much. At People, Inc., we did not do anything except cook brunch and play with the senior citizens there. Yet, the ladies were so thankful for us. It didn't take much effort in doing this. Still, it meant so much to them. Now I know that even a small help can make a difference. There is so much more than this, that I learned at ASB. I can't find words to express them. All I know for sure now, is that, I will do volunteering more than ever and will take all possible opportunities that come along my way.
Thanks to ASB. I truely Achieved - Served and Believed in ASB. The memories of the week, beautiful they are, will be with me for a long time.
Initially, Alternative Spring Break, for me, was just another opportunity to do volunteering. I had not expected or foreseen that I would make friends with people. In general, I am an introvert. I am not very open to people quickly. Added to it, I was the only Master's student except Lindsey who was a co-leader of the team. So, I was sort of prepared to be lonely. But cheers to the group, I was so much involved in it that by the end of the week I was actually surprised that I made friendship with them. The team was very good and the best I have seen till date for any kind of volunteering. The team members were very active and helpful and were always prepared and ready for new assignments. It was great fun working with them. Underline my words, Terri and Lindsey were awesome team leaders and were great positive role-models.
Each of the organizations that we visited were unique in itself and provided us with enriching experience. Habitat, Buffalo ReUse, University Heights Collaborative, People, Inc, Compeer, City Mission and Junior Achievement.. all of these taught me a new meaning of volunteering. It was fun and great learning opportunity. The people who worked for these organizations did noble job and were yet humble. I salute the people who work here.
In the process of volunteering, I discovered Buffalo. Till now, Buffalo, for me, was limited to the area around school and home. But ASB gave me a chance to explore Buffalo. I feel more connected to this place than ever before. We dined in good restaurants and visited some nice places. Buffalo is indeed a city of Good Neighbors :)
Through ASB, I realized a lot of things. Ilearned that I am so much more privileged than many others, and I have the ability to help them. In the midst of all pains and problems, people in the organizations like People, Inc, City Mission and Junior Achievement laugh, help others and be happy for what they have. I learned a whole new perspective about volunteering. Even a small help sometimes means so much. At People, Inc., we did not do anything except cook brunch and play with the senior citizens there. Yet, the ladies were so thankful for us. It didn't take much effort in doing this. Still, it meant so much to them. Now I know that even a small help can make a difference. There is so much more than this, that I learned at ASB. I can't find words to express them. All I know for sure now, is that, I will do volunteering more than ever and will take all possible opportunities that come along my way.
Thanks to ASB. I truely Achieved - Served and Believed in ASB. The memories of the week, beautiful they are, will be with me for a long time.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Reflections
It seems like a very long time ago that I responded to an email posting for an internship position in the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement here at UB. It's hard to believe that Alternative Spring Break has come and gone already.
My fellow ASBers were amazing. I know we represented UB well to the larger community and I am proud of all of our efforts. ASB 2009 was a wonderful team to be a part of. I am back in my residence hall office now, and as the residents won't be back until tomorrow, I am finding myself a little lonely. After sharing a space with 16 other people for a week, it seems so quiet here. I made some new friends during ASB and I hope to be able to maintain those friendships as I continue here at UB as both a student and staff member.
The group exceeded my expectations. Everyone was focused on accomplishing our tasks each day and we had good conversations and fun when we were back in residence. I don't think I could have asked for a better group!
My largest personal goal for the week was to re-connect myself to the Buffalo community. Like many young people who grow up in Western NY, when I left here 7 years ago, I never planned to return. But, my family and graduate school brought me back after my undergraduate education and time in the Adirondack Mountains.
I came back so focused on advancing my career, getting my degree, and doing it all as efficiently as possible. I wasn't necessarily thinking about being a part of the larger community, both within UB and outside of it in the city of Buffalo.
ASB gave me the chance to see and experience what happens when people are at their best. The students, Terri, the people at the volunteer organizations who showed such passion for their work: Chuck with Habitat for Humanity, Cassandra at Buffalo ReUse, Bill at City Mission, Ms. Cheeks at Enterprise Charter... I could easily make a much longer list.
The point is, I found myself inspired daily by the people who were around me. I am grateful to have had this experience. I know I will volunteer again with City Mission and Buffalo ReUse. Moreover, after ASB ended I felt different about being back in Buffalo. It feels like my city again, I feel like I am a part of something, rather than just someone passing through.
After ASB was over last night, my boyfriend and I made our way downtown to go hear a band. As I was walking on the city streets and looking around, I was happy, I felt at home. In my previous post I wrote about what a little girl, Diamonte, told me a community was. By her definition, Buffalo is certainly my community again.
My fellow ASBers were amazing. I know we represented UB well to the larger community and I am proud of all of our efforts. ASB 2009 was a wonderful team to be a part of. I am back in my residence hall office now, and as the residents won't be back until tomorrow, I am finding myself a little lonely. After sharing a space with 16 other people for a week, it seems so quiet here. I made some new friends during ASB and I hope to be able to maintain those friendships as I continue here at UB as both a student and staff member.
The group exceeded my expectations. Everyone was focused on accomplishing our tasks each day and we had good conversations and fun when we were back in residence. I don't think I could have asked for a better group!
My largest personal goal for the week was to re-connect myself to the Buffalo community. Like many young people who grow up in Western NY, when I left here 7 years ago, I never planned to return. But, my family and graduate school brought me back after my undergraduate education and time in the Adirondack Mountains.
I came back so focused on advancing my career, getting my degree, and doing it all as efficiently as possible. I wasn't necessarily thinking about being a part of the larger community, both within UB and outside of it in the city of Buffalo.
ASB gave me the chance to see and experience what happens when people are at their best. The students, Terri, the people at the volunteer organizations who showed such passion for their work: Chuck with Habitat for Humanity, Cassandra at Buffalo ReUse, Bill at City Mission, Ms. Cheeks at Enterprise Charter... I could easily make a much longer list.
The point is, I found myself inspired daily by the people who were around me. I am grateful to have had this experience. I know I will volunteer again with City Mission and Buffalo ReUse. Moreover, after ASB ended I felt different about being back in Buffalo. It feels like my city again, I feel like I am a part of something, rather than just someone passing through.
After ASB was over last night, my boyfriend and I made our way downtown to go hear a band. As I was walking on the city streets and looking around, I was happy, I felt at home. In my previous post I wrote about what a little girl, Diamonte, told me a community was. By her definition, Buffalo is certainly my community again.
JA in a Day at Enterprise Charter School
Our last day of ASB took place at Enterprise Charter School on Oak St. in the City of Buffalo. We spent the day in 3rd through 6th grade classrooms teaching lessons through Junior Achievement. I was with Alfonzo in a 4th grade classroom. Thank you to everyone at Enterprise Charter for being so welcoming! I especially would like to thank Ms. Cheeks for allowing Alfonzo and me to spend the day in her classroom with her students.
Our day went very well. I really enjoyed teaching the 4th graders. I was amazed at how comfortable I was with them and how much I enjoyed the day. Junior Achievement focuses on building business and financial literacy skills. So in alignment with the NY State 4th grade curriculum, our lesson focused on understanding resources and how they are used by businesses and individuals on a state level.
The students at Enterprise Charter come from all over the city and some have come there because they had difficulties in the other public schools. The kids were all so great that I couldn't believe some of them had struggled.
The school is very diverse with manyBlack and Hispanic students. The children sometimes speak to each other in Spanish and two of the little girls who are cousins told me how they speak Spanish at home. Those two little girls really stand out to me. They seem very bright and joyful. Diamonte and Karolina are their names. I was actually sad to leave at the end of the day, but I was exhausted! As someone in Higher Education, I appreciate all the work that K-12 teachers do, but now I think I appreciate it even more!
We were with the students for their entire day. We even ate lunch with them, which was fun and a chance for me to talk with Diamonte and Karolina some more. Diamonte spent some time telling me about her neighborhood and I could tell from her excitement that she felt connected to the people and places in her neighborhood. She lives on the Westside. I asked her a question we often ask college students: "What's a community?" She told me it was a place where people knew their neighbors and helped each other and that you have fun there. I think that is a wonderful definition.
When the students went to a computer class, I talked with their teacher Ms. Cheeks a little more. She is a wonderful teacher and clearly cares deeply for her students. She has moved up with the students so for many of them she has been their teacher since kindergarden or 1st grade. She and I talked about education, her students, and some ideas about the relationships between K-12 and Higher Education. We talked a little about how early college awareness would be something vital for her students and many of the students at Enterprise. I am passionate about the need for Higher Education to reach out to K-12 much more than it currently does; something that I hope to work for as I continue working in Higher Ed. I would be honored to work with someone like Ms. Cheeks and students like those in her 4th grade class at Enterprise Charter.
Our day went very well. I really enjoyed teaching the 4th graders. I was amazed at how comfortable I was with them and how much I enjoyed the day. Junior Achievement focuses on building business and financial literacy skills. So in alignment with the NY State 4th grade curriculum, our lesson focused on understanding resources and how they are used by businesses and individuals on a state level.
The students at Enterprise Charter come from all over the city and some have come there because they had difficulties in the other public schools. The kids were all so great that I couldn't believe some of them had struggled.
The school is very diverse with manyBlack and Hispanic students. The children sometimes speak to each other in Spanish and two of the little girls who are cousins told me how they speak Spanish at home. Those two little girls really stand out to me. They seem very bright and joyful. Diamonte and Karolina are their names. I was actually sad to leave at the end of the day, but I was exhausted! As someone in Higher Education, I appreciate all the work that K-12 teachers do, but now I think I appreciate it even more!
We were with the students for their entire day. We even ate lunch with them, which was fun and a chance for me to talk with Diamonte and Karolina some more. Diamonte spent some time telling me about her neighborhood and I could tell from her excitement that she felt connected to the people and places in her neighborhood. She lives on the Westside. I asked her a question we often ask college students: "What's a community?" She told me it was a place where people knew their neighbors and helped each other and that you have fun there. I think that is a wonderful definition.
When the students went to a computer class, I talked with their teacher Ms. Cheeks a little more. She is a wonderful teacher and clearly cares deeply for her students. She has moved up with the students so for many of them she has been their teacher since kindergarden or 1st grade. She and I talked about education, her students, and some ideas about the relationships between K-12 and Higher Education. We talked a little about how early college awareness would be something vital for her students and many of the students at Enterprise. I am passionate about the need for Higher Education to reach out to K-12 much more than it currently does; something that I hope to work for as I continue working in Higher Ed. I would be honored to work with someone like Ms. Cheeks and students like those in her 4th grade class at Enterprise Charter.
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Last Day :( ~Lauren
We woke up decently early this morning and had french toast for breakfast. We headed to The Enterprise Charter school which has grades K through 6.
I was grouped with Terri and Jin in Ms. Shannon’s fifth grade class. I got to teach sessions one and three. We basically taught them all about economics and did activities.
This volunteer activity was definitely the most challenging. It caught me by surprise the most as well. I expected the kids to participate willingly and to be excited to be doing something outside of their normal curriculum. Unfortunately they slowly became less and less interested. We had to get them quiet very often. They made up their own rules for the activities and talked during our lessons. I definitely walked out of there with a greater appreciation for the teachers in the school. I don’t know how they do it every day.
Fortunately my group only had to present for about two and a half hours so it went by quickly. Those of us that were done by 1:30 went back to the lounge to clean up. I took an hour nap which was fantastic.
We all met at My Tomato Pie for lunch along with three more of Terri’s colleagues. Everyone went around and shared what this week meant to them. I mentioned getting to know Buffalo outside the campus, trying to throw myself into volunteering as a jumpstart for the future, and meeting new people from different cultures. All of those were very important parts of this break for me. After eating, Terri and Lindsey handed out awards to everyone. I was the mostly likely to be left behind – not forgotten – just left behind. Haha. I disappeared twice over the break randomly so the award fits. We also got a framed picture of everyone standing on the roof from the first day at Habitat. It is such a great picture of all of us so I was very excited to get it. Then we all filled out evaluations about the program. I answered yes to almost every question haha. It truly was a wonderful experience that I will never forget.
Thank you to everyone who participated for being so great and for forming such a wonderful team. Huge thanks to Terri and Lindsey for picking a great group of people and for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful program. Thank you to all else who helped create the program! I had one of the best weeks of my life!
I was grouped with Terri and Jin in Ms. Shannon’s fifth grade class. I got to teach sessions one and three. We basically taught them all about economics and did activities.
This volunteer activity was definitely the most challenging. It caught me by surprise the most as well. I expected the kids to participate willingly and to be excited to be doing something outside of their normal curriculum. Unfortunately they slowly became less and less interested. We had to get them quiet very often. They made up their own rules for the activities and talked during our lessons. I definitely walked out of there with a greater appreciation for the teachers in the school. I don’t know how they do it every day.
Fortunately my group only had to present for about two and a half hours so it went by quickly. Those of us that were done by 1:30 went back to the lounge to clean up. I took an hour nap which was fantastic.
We all met at My Tomato Pie for lunch along with three more of Terri’s colleagues. Everyone went around and shared what this week meant to them. I mentioned getting to know Buffalo outside the campus, trying to throw myself into volunteering as a jumpstart for the future, and meeting new people from different cultures. All of those were very important parts of this break for me. After eating, Terri and Lindsey handed out awards to everyone. I was the mostly likely to be left behind – not forgotten – just left behind. Haha. I disappeared twice over the break randomly so the award fits. We also got a framed picture of everyone standing on the roof from the first day at Habitat. It is such a great picture of all of us so I was very excited to get it. Then we all filled out evaluations about the program. I answered yes to almost every question haha. It truly was a wonderful experience that I will never forget.
Thank you to everyone who participated for being so great and for forming such a wonderful team. Huge thanks to Terri and Lindsey for picking a great group of people and for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful program. Thank you to all else who helped create the program! I had one of the best weeks of my life!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
People, Inc.
Mahima visiting with some seniors at People, Inc.
Ji Shun
Poiema, Preethi, Ji Shun, Tien, Ngoc, Mahima, Jin, Derick
Ji Shun, Preethi, Terri
Terri and Ji Shin
People, Inc.
Today the 1/2 of the group that I was with went to a senior housing complex run by People, Inc. in Hamburg, NY (a little south of the city of Buffalo). We had coffee and muffins with some of the residents there who are independent but low-income seniors.
All the ladies we interacted with were fantastic. We met Alice, who is 94 and very spunky! Emma who loves traveling to Hawaii, Rose who loves to cook, Pattie who is Grace's new best friend and was very interested in talking to Grace about China. Pattie also has facebook and asked Grace to be her friend, which was awesome. And Florence and Elaine who are sisters.
I loved talking to Florence. She has visited every state in the U.S. expect for 3! (Washington, Oregon, and Alaska). Florence is also the oldest of 12 children and is now in her 80s. She grew up in Buffalo and remembered when my family had a lumber yard business on the Eastside. Florence used to be a hairdresser and thinks she may have done my great-grandmother's or great-aunt's hair. She and I also chatted about the Polish tradition of Dyngus Day. She was a lot of fun to talk to.
The ladies invited us to come back some Monday night when they have their game night. Experiencing the community that the seniors have with each other was great. I do love learning from conversations with senior citizens. Their lives are a living history and this was a great opportunity to relax, chat, and learn.
We then met up with the other 1/2 of our group and went to lunch at Romeo & Juliet's on Hertel Ave. Thanks to Vito and everyone there for a great meal!
This afternoon we came back to campus to prepare for tomorrow's activity with Junior Achievement (JA) at the Enterprise Charter School on Oak St. Enterprise in addition to housing Junior Achievement and working with their programs, enrolls students who were struggling in the traditional Buffalo Public Schools. Tomorrow we will be teaching lessons to 3-6 graders at that school. Alfonzo and I will be teaming up to work with a 4th grade class. More about JA tomorrow!
All the ladies we interacted with were fantastic. We met Alice, who is 94 and very spunky! Emma who loves traveling to Hawaii, Rose who loves to cook, Pattie who is Grace's new best friend and was very interested in talking to Grace about China. Pattie also has facebook and asked Grace to be her friend, which was awesome. And Florence and Elaine who are sisters.
I loved talking to Florence. She has visited every state in the U.S. expect for 3! (Washington, Oregon, and Alaska). Florence is also the oldest of 12 children and is now in her 80s. She grew up in Buffalo and remembered when my family had a lumber yard business on the Eastside. Florence used to be a hairdresser and thinks she may have done my great-grandmother's or great-aunt's hair. She and I also chatted about the Polish tradition of Dyngus Day. She was a lot of fun to talk to.
The ladies invited us to come back some Monday night when they have their game night. Experiencing the community that the seniors have with each other was great. I do love learning from conversations with senior citizens. Their lives are a living history and this was a great opportunity to relax, chat, and learn.
We then met up with the other 1/2 of our group and went to lunch at Romeo & Juliet's on Hertel Ave. Thanks to Vito and everyone there for a great meal!
This afternoon we came back to campus to prepare for tomorrow's activity with Junior Achievement (JA) at the Enterprise Charter School on Oak St. Enterprise in addition to housing Junior Achievement and working with their programs, enrolls students who were struggling in the traditional Buffalo Public Schools. Tomorrow we will be teaching lessons to 3-6 graders at that school. Alfonzo and I will be teaming up to work with a 4th grade class. More about JA tomorrow!
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Carnival
Ji Shun and Ngoc making cotton candy :)
Poiema running the ring toss
Lauren blowing bubblesCompeer Buffalo and the evening - Lauren
3.11.09
After working at City Mission, the whole group met at Mighty Taco and got lunch. Then we went to Compeer Buffalo downtown. The woman there showed us a video about the mentoring program. They match mentors with people who are receiving mental health treatment. It made me really want to be a part of it but unfortunately they are looking for mentors who will be around for a very long period of time and I have to go home for summers. Plus I wouldn’t have any transportation because my car is at home. Still, it is a wonderful organization. People can be very lonely and sometimes all they need is a friend. I would love to do something like that for someone. My group from earlier in the day went around south campus posting flyers to spread awareness of the program.
Later we had grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for dinner in the lounge and wrapped up the evening at Movieland 8. I saw Redemption road with Alfanzo, Grace, Mahima, and Ji Shun. It was a really sad movie about the decline of marriage caused by social pressures in suburbia. The acting was fantastic.
After working at City Mission, the whole group met at Mighty Taco and got lunch. Then we went to Compeer Buffalo downtown. The woman there showed us a video about the mentoring program. They match mentors with people who are receiving mental health treatment. It made me really want to be a part of it but unfortunately they are looking for mentors who will be around for a very long period of time and I have to go home for summers. Plus I wouldn’t have any transportation because my car is at home. Still, it is a wonderful organization. People can be very lonely and sometimes all they need is a friend. I would love to do something like that for someone. My group from earlier in the day went around south campus posting flyers to spread awareness of the program.
Later we had grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for dinner in the lounge and wrapped up the evening at Movieland 8. I saw Redemption road with Alfanzo, Grace, Mahima, and Ji Shun. It was a really sad movie about the decline of marriage caused by social pressures in suburbia. The acting was fantastic.
Buffalo City Mission
Yesterday (Wednesday), we split our group into 2. I took 7 students (Grace, Nawal, Zohra, Lauren, Tom, Alfonzo, and Lindsy) to Buffalo City Mission. Four students went to Cornerstone Manor which is the part of City Mission that works with women and children. I was part of the group who went to the Men's Mission.
Kathy, one of the women who works at City Mission, gave us a tour. We also met Raymond who is one of the disciples in a one-year program with the City Mission which allows men who have been helped by the Mission to give back to it and help others. City Mission is faith based and Christian, but not a particular denomination. They have volunteers of all Christian faiths and of other faiths. All they ask is that you respect that the men at the Mission are trying to improve their lives through Christian faith.
I have to say that I was a little intimidated by the idea of going to a shelter for homeless men as a young woman, but as soon as we got there any hesitations I had disappeared. Everyone that works at the Men's Mission is so nice. The Men there are also really appreciative of volunteers.
Tom, Alfonzo, Lauren and I were the part of the group who went to the Men's Mission. We worked in the kitchen with Bill, who is the cook there. Bill had Lauren and I make egg salad to make sandwiches. Bill told us that the men are appreciative of the volunteers because then there are different options for lunch because it takes less time to prepare everything when there are more helpers.
At the Men's Mission, lunch is served twice. Once at 11:30am and once at 12:30pm. In between lunches, we also had a chance to have lunch. Bill made us a pizza which was really delicious!
I loved preparing a meal for the men at City Mission. This is another place I can definitely see myself volunteering again.
Peggy and Kathy who work in the office at City Mission, also shared with me that Bill, who was so great to work with was one of the men who had been helped by the mission a few years ago. Bill came to the mission after being released from prison and was not the person he is today. He was angry and mean when he came to City Mission, and now he is independent, works at the Mission, and is really wonderful to be around. He kept us busy, was patient, and friendly, and in good spirits-- playing the radio while we worked in the kitchen.
This was another great part of the week for me, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity.
Kathy, one of the women who works at City Mission, gave us a tour. We also met Raymond who is one of the disciples in a one-year program with the City Mission which allows men who have been helped by the Mission to give back to it and help others. City Mission is faith based and Christian, but not a particular denomination. They have volunteers of all Christian faiths and of other faiths. All they ask is that you respect that the men at the Mission are trying to improve their lives through Christian faith.
I have to say that I was a little intimidated by the idea of going to a shelter for homeless men as a young woman, but as soon as we got there any hesitations I had disappeared. Everyone that works at the Men's Mission is so nice. The Men there are also really appreciative of volunteers.
Tom, Alfonzo, Lauren and I were the part of the group who went to the Men's Mission. We worked in the kitchen with Bill, who is the cook there. Bill had Lauren and I make egg salad to make sandwiches. Bill told us that the men are appreciative of the volunteers because then there are different options for lunch because it takes less time to prepare everything when there are more helpers.
At the Men's Mission, lunch is served twice. Once at 11:30am and once at 12:30pm. In between lunches, we also had a chance to have lunch. Bill made us a pizza which was really delicious!
I loved preparing a meal for the men at City Mission. This is another place I can definitely see myself volunteering again.
Peggy and Kathy who work in the office at City Mission, also shared with me that Bill, who was so great to work with was one of the men who had been helped by the mission a few years ago. Bill came to the mission after being released from prison and was not the person he is today. He was angry and mean when he came to City Mission, and now he is independent, works at the Mission, and is really wonderful to be around. He kept us busy, was patient, and friendly, and in good spirits-- playing the radio while we worked in the kitchen.
This was another great part of the week for me, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
On Tuesday evening, our volunteer event was a carnival for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We set up a carnival in the Student Union here at the University at Buffalo. We borrowed a variety of games from the Office of Student Life and set up a popcorn and candy machine.
Everyone had a great time! The littles, their bigs and all the ASBers. It was a very lighthearted atmosphere. Lindsy and I were at the face painting table and there were 2 little girls in particular that loved the face painting. We painted designs on their faces, hands, and arms. After I ran out of places to paint on one of the girls, Lechee (pronounced La-shay), she asked if she could paint on me. I tried to convince her that she could just do it on my arm, but of course, she wanted to paint on my face as well. I ended up with some very creative versions of a heart and a butterfly. It was great fun though and I enjoyed talking with the children. Lechee is in second grade. A lot of the children who Big Brothers/Big Sisters brought to our carnival were from the Hamlin Park neighborhood on the Eastside.
Interestingly, one of the case workers who was there with the children was a woman named Erin, who I used to compete in local pageants with here in Western New York. My father always says that Buffalo is the "world's biggest small town," and sometimes it proves that sentiment true.
Everyone had a great time! The littles, their bigs and all the ASBers. It was a very lighthearted atmosphere. Lindsy and I were at the face painting table and there were 2 little girls in particular that loved the face painting. We painted designs on their faces, hands, and arms. After I ran out of places to paint on one of the girls, Lechee (pronounced La-shay), she asked if she could paint on me. I tried to convince her that she could just do it on my arm, but of course, she wanted to paint on my face as well. I ended up with some very creative versions of a heart and a butterfly. It was great fun though and I enjoyed talking with the children. Lechee is in second grade. A lot of the children who Big Brothers/Big Sisters brought to our carnival were from the Hamlin Park neighborhood on the Eastside.
Interestingly, one of the case workers who was there with the children was a woman named Erin, who I used to compete in local pageants with here in Western New York. My father always says that Buffalo is the "world's biggest small town," and sometimes it proves that sentiment true.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Buffalo ReUse
This morning started with Buffalo Reuse, located on Buffalo's Eastside. I was so impressed with their organization as well as the dedication of everyone who works for their organization. They consider Buffalo ReUse a "social enterprise" which was a new word to me. They are a non-profit, but through their salvage operation, they do make some profits which are put back into the organization. They do this because "the revolution will not be funded."
They are the only green demolition company in Buffalo, which means that before a house is demolished, they go in and strip anything that can be reused. Door knobs, doors, glass, cabinets, etc. They also had such beautiful things there! Mantles, desks, hutches. It was amazing. The problem is that in Buffalo, it is cheaper to send everything to the landfill than to separate reusable materials. As there are 1400 houses in the city of Buffalo slotted for demolition, the work that ReUse does is so important.
I also admire the courage of Buffalo ReUse to put themselves where catastrophe is (to paraphrase Dr. Cornel West). The Eastside has been crippled by white flight. Buffalo ReUse is going to re-establish a true community in this neighborhood and I can't thank them enough for it. I was so moved today. I was despaired to see the status of the neighborhood but empowered but the work being done by Buffalo ReUse.
In addition to the salvage operation and green demolition, they also do community work in other ways. They have a community garden, called the patchwork garden, where neighbors are invited to plant vegetables and share what is grown. They also invite neighborhood children to join them for a fresh cooked meal with produce from the garden. I love how their work relates to the sustainability and local food movements.
Some of us ASBers painted or glazed windows in some houses Buffalo ReUse is re-purposing. I spent the day with Poiema, Preethi, Grace, and Zohra removing hardware from doors so that the doors and the hardware could all be re-sold. It was tedious at times, but I found that I was intensely committed to getting the doors I was working on completed. Not to mention that I got to check out some amazing vintage/antique doors.
I know that I will volunteer with Buffalo ReUse again. I was inspired today. It makes me want to stay in Buffalo and move into a neighborhood like the one we were in today on the Eastside so that I can have an impact on the community in the way that Cassandra, Amanda, Michael and everyone at Buffalo ReUse do. I was deeply affected by our volunteer work this morning. It's easy to see why they were one of Artvoice's nominee's for Best Activist Group in the Best of Buffalo 2008.
Check out the Buffalo ReUse website: http://www.buffaloreuse.org/ Especially if you or someone you know is remodeling their house. Buffalo ReUse will come and help you tear out old materials that can be used in their salvage shop.
We also held a carnival at the University for Big Brothers/Big Sisters today. I will post a separate entry or see if one of my fellow ASBers posts one. I just don't feel like I can give the Big Brothers/Big Sisters experience the detailed description it deserves within this same post.
Gymnastics Fun!
We were able to relax for the evening and have some fun at Stumpf's gymnastics in Williamsville. Thank you to Dan and everyone at Stumpf's for a great evening.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Service In University Heights
For all the encouragement and getting us involved,
as around ASB'ers community service always revolved.
Picking up branches and raking leaves ,
learning so much was not our beliefs.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and completing our wish,
these memories we ASB'ers will always cherish !
as around ASB'ers community service always revolved.
Picking up branches and raking leaves ,
learning so much was not our beliefs.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and completing our wish,
these memories we ASB'ers will always cherish !
University Heights/Linear Park
Jin and Tom working hard 
Ji Shun, Nawal, Mahima, Preethi, Zohra
ASBers, UB folks, Mayor's Impact Team
ASBers!
University Heights
Today was dedicated to working in Linear Park on the edge of the University Heights, the neighborhood nearest to the University at Buffalo's original (now called South) campus. We worked along side a crew from the Mayor's Impact Team to remove brush and trash from an overgrown part of the park. I suspect that a lot of the brush and fallen trees was the result of the infamous October storm in Buffalo a few years ago, and that the park has not been attended to as much as needed in recent years.
Other staff members from UB joined us from various areas of Student Affairs: Intercultural and Diversity Center, Student Life, Judicial Affairs, Career Services, Community Relations and the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement. Many thanks to Dan Ryan and Mary Clare Fahey from Off-Campus Services for helping to organize this project.
I was especially excited about this project and have a new personal interest in University Heights. I also think working in campus-community relations may be something I want to pursue in the future. I think that UB's relationship with the Heights is essential to the success of the university and the community. I think they have always depended on each other and now there is a new positive inertia in that relationship. It is something I was thrilled to be a part of. I hope that this is just one of many projects to come that focus on University Heights, the relationship between UB and the city of Buffalo.
We did experience both rain and snow today, and by the time we broke for lunch at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center, we all needed to warm up. Dan Ryan came to the rescue though, purchasing new socks for everyone and showing everyone how to put plastic bags over their shoes. As he and Mary Clare said, like they did with bread bags to go out and play in the snow when they were children in Buffalo.
I think today was a good example to being a Good Neighbor. I was happy to be a part of this group and today's efforts.
Other staff members from UB joined us from various areas of Student Affairs: Intercultural and Diversity Center, Student Life, Judicial Affairs, Career Services, Community Relations and the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement. Many thanks to Dan Ryan and Mary Clare Fahey from Off-Campus Services for helping to organize this project.
I was especially excited about this project and have a new personal interest in University Heights. I also think working in campus-community relations may be something I want to pursue in the future. I think that UB's relationship with the Heights is essential to the success of the university and the community. I think they have always depended on each other and now there is a new positive inertia in that relationship. It is something I was thrilled to be a part of. I hope that this is just one of many projects to come that focus on University Heights, the relationship between UB and the city of Buffalo.
We did experience both rain and snow today, and by the time we broke for lunch at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center, we all needed to warm up. Dan Ryan came to the rescue though, purchasing new socks for everyone and showing everyone how to put plastic bags over their shoes. As he and Mary Clare said, like they did with bread bags to go out and play in the snow when they were children in Buffalo.
I think today was a good example to being a Good Neighbor. I was happy to be a part of this group and today's efforts.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Renovation and Demolition: Lauren's View of the day
Today we quickly got to work. I was assigned upstairs to sawing wood that would be put up for insulation barriers. I worked with Zhora, Nawal, and Preethi. It was a lot harder to cut the wood than I thought. You had to push these 2x4’s slowly but firmly. Zhora was quick to jump at the task while the rest of us were nervous to use the saw. It kept overheating and stalling so we had to keep resetting and turning it on. All of us were involved because the pieces of wood were so long. Two people held the wood on each side. The most important tasks were to push the would toward the saw and to catch the wood on the other side. Chuck explained the safety measures carefully and made sure we understood. Building houses isnt exactly the safest task in the world.
After cutting most of the 2x4s we began nailing the cut pieces to the appropriate places in the next room. We used nails and hammers and another saw to cut even smaller pieces. We learned quickly how difficult hammering nails into wood can be. I even hit my thumbs a few times. Aiming correctly was difficult because we were working close to the floor so the nails would go rogue and end up in awkward angles. As if I hadn’t learned how hard wood is before, I realized more so now. Getting the nails all the way through the wood took me atleast a full minute or two. When Chuck demonstrated it took him one or two seconds. I quickly became frustrated and worked on cutting the wood into pieces. When I tried again a few minutes later I was more successful and my attitude brightened.
After an hour or so Lindsy and I switched spots. She knew I had wanted to be a part of the demolition in the backyard. I was very grateful and jumped at my new job with enthusiasm. I joined Tom, Poeima, Grace, Alfonso, and Chuck. They were removing the back porch. Using a sledgehammer for the first time was fantastic. We broke up the porch using only the sledgehammer, two levers, and a power saw. When we were removing the last piece of the porch I got to saw it off as Tom and Alfonso caught it.
The most exciting part of the day was knocking down the roof of the porch. Tom, Alfanso, and I stood toward the fence and pushed at the corner with a long piece of wood. Poeima and Grace stood at the other side doing the same. Chuck sawed off the roof from out the third floor window. The rest of the group was at a distance in the backyard watching. Terri even videotaped it. As Chuck sawed Tom said it looked as though the roof was coming toward our side. I panicked and almost ran toward the rest of the group in fear. I kept imagining the roof falling on top of us. I held on to every last bit of bravery in me and kept pushing with the wood. Fortunately it fell in the perfect spot. No one was harmed. We all cheered and took a photo standing on top of it. The rest of the time was spent cleaning up all the debris inside and outside the house.
Chuck happened to be an UB alum and had graduated with an Antrhropology degree. Since the beginning of this semester I have been debating between Sociology and Anthropology. I have been very passionate about culture and diversity my entire life and I want to spread that. I would love to study other cultures by doing fieldwork in other countries. However, I have been unsure if I would want to do this for me entire life. Meeting Chuck was great for me because I saw the work he has ended up doing. As Lindsey mentioned in her blog, Chuck said he doesn’t make very much money but he is very happy with his work. Happiness has always been my drive for success over money and hearing him say this made me feel much better about my choices of majors. I had such a wonderful time and I can see myself doing something similar as a career.
Aside from stepping on three nails in the backyard and hitting my thumb with the hammer a few times, I had a wonderful time today!
After cutting most of the 2x4s we began nailing the cut pieces to the appropriate places in the next room. We used nails and hammers and another saw to cut even smaller pieces. We learned quickly how difficult hammering nails into wood can be. I even hit my thumbs a few times. Aiming correctly was difficult because we were working close to the floor so the nails would go rogue and end up in awkward angles. As if I hadn’t learned how hard wood is before, I realized more so now. Getting the nails all the way through the wood took me atleast a full minute or two. When Chuck demonstrated it took him one or two seconds. I quickly became frustrated and worked on cutting the wood into pieces. When I tried again a few minutes later I was more successful and my attitude brightened.
After an hour or so Lindsy and I switched spots. She knew I had wanted to be a part of the demolition in the backyard. I was very grateful and jumped at my new job with enthusiasm. I joined Tom, Poeima, Grace, Alfonso, and Chuck. They were removing the back porch. Using a sledgehammer for the first time was fantastic. We broke up the porch using only the sledgehammer, two levers, and a power saw. When we were removing the last piece of the porch I got to saw it off as Tom and Alfonso caught it.
The most exciting part of the day was knocking down the roof of the porch. Tom, Alfanso, and I stood toward the fence and pushed at the corner with a long piece of wood. Poeima and Grace stood at the other side doing the same. Chuck sawed off the roof from out the third floor window. The rest of the group was at a distance in the backyard watching. Terri even videotaped it. As Chuck sawed Tom said it looked as though the roof was coming toward our side. I panicked and almost ran toward the rest of the group in fear. I kept imagining the roof falling on top of us. I held on to every last bit of bravery in me and kept pushing with the wood. Fortunately it fell in the perfect spot. No one was harmed. We all cheered and took a photo standing on top of it. The rest of the time was spent cleaning up all the debris inside and outside the house.
Chuck happened to be an UB alum and had graduated with an Antrhropology degree. Since the beginning of this semester I have been debating between Sociology and Anthropology. I have been very passionate about culture and diversity my entire life and I want to spread that. I would love to study other cultures by doing fieldwork in other countries. However, I have been unsure if I would want to do this for me entire life. Meeting Chuck was great for me because I saw the work he has ended up doing. As Lindsey mentioned in her blog, Chuck said he doesn’t make very much money but he is very happy with his work. Happiness has always been my drive for success over money and hearing him say this made me feel much better about my choices of majors. I had such a wonderful time and I can see myself doing something similar as a career.
Aside from stepping on three nails in the backyard and hitting my thumb with the hammer a few times, I had a wonderful time today!
ASB Day 2 !
It was amazing to demolish and renovate an old donated house for needy to live. This was only possible when all ASBer's ....came together to help chuck in his noble cause, which he is been doing from a long time . Everybody was exhausted by the time of lunch break, but when it came to get back to work again .....some how the enthusiasm returned. It was fun nailing the thick pieces with hammer ....probably because it was the first time for everyone ...Along with the picture sessions...many new friendships strengthened ..Personally, I got to know people more after working with them on something which we all are going to cherish as a wonderful service...After all the hard work ..everyone was rewarded with the relishing food at Pearl street. Last but not the least, all the tiredness was gone after seeing the beautiful Niagara falls in the night. The car rides were the best part, as it is the perfect time for most valuable discussions ...and again impossible without our two wonderful leaders and group members ..Overall it was a nice experience and I am looking forward for tomorrow when we will meet new people to learn more and explore more.
Habitat for Humanity
Today we worked with Habitat for Humanity. I didn't know that in addition to building new houses, in the city of Buffalo, Habitat also renovates donated houses. Buffalo also has one of the oldest chapters of Habitat nationally.
Today we worked on a house on Deerfield Ave. But first, Terri and I got up early to make pancakes for everyone and set off the fire alarm in Richmond Quad. Never a dull moment!
Now to Habitat...our site leader was Chuck who is a UB alum himself. Chuck was very interesting to me because he has spent his whole adult life doing work that is related to volunteerism. After undergrad, he was involved with AmeriCorps and then started his work with Habitat. It was great to be working with someone who clearly has such a passion for his work. I think he was a great example for the students, but also for me personally. Chuck mentioned that he doesn't make that much money, but wouldn't ever want to do anything different because he loves his job so much. I admire that. I admire that drive to help and work with others. I admire that personal commitment to do what you are passionate about.
I was amazed at what we were able to do. We deconstructed much of the front room of the house, removed an old addition, and took out windows among other things. All the ASBers seemed to enjoy themselves.
We used some of our time in the car today to reflect on what we accomplished as well as why Habitat was important. Everyone worked well together and worked very hard. I really impressed with the group's effort.
We are all very tired from working today, but it was a really great project and I am excited to have been a part of it.
We finished off our day with dinner at Pearl Street and a quick visit to Niagara Falls. Tomorrow is another busy day... a full day in University Heights. I have especially been looking forward to this project.
"You can't lead the people, if you don't love the people. You can't save the people, if you don't serve the people." -Cornel West
Today we worked on a house on Deerfield Ave. But first, Terri and I got up early to make pancakes for everyone and set off the fire alarm in Richmond Quad. Never a dull moment!
Now to Habitat...our site leader was Chuck who is a UB alum himself. Chuck was very interesting to me because he has spent his whole adult life doing work that is related to volunteerism. After undergrad, he was involved with AmeriCorps and then started his work with Habitat. It was great to be working with someone who clearly has such a passion for his work. I think he was a great example for the students, but also for me personally. Chuck mentioned that he doesn't make that much money, but wouldn't ever want to do anything different because he loves his job so much. I admire that. I admire that drive to help and work with others. I admire that personal commitment to do what you are passionate about.
I was amazed at what we were able to do. We deconstructed much of the front room of the house, removed an old addition, and took out windows among other things. All the ASBers seemed to enjoy themselves.
We used some of our time in the car today to reflect on what we accomplished as well as why Habitat was important. Everyone worked well together and worked very hard. I really impressed with the group's effort.
We are all very tired from working today, but it was a really great project and I am excited to have been a part of it.
We finished off our day with dinner at Pearl Street and a quick visit to Niagara Falls. Tomorrow is another busy day... a full day in University Heights. I have especially been looking forward to this project.
"You can't lead the people, if you don't love the people. You can't save the people, if you don't serve the people." -Cornel West
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Teambuilding
Everyone arrived to Richmond Quadrangle (residence hall) today for the start of Alternative Spring Break. We went to lunch at the Anchor Bar, famous in Buffalo for inventing chicken wings. People in Buffalo often argue about who has the best wings, but the Anchor Bar claims to be the original inventor.
We had some time to chat over lunch and on our van rides to and from campus. Then after lunch we all went to the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement (CSLCE) Office to do some teambuilding with Mealnie Bently-Cruz, who coordinates leadership programs in the CSLCE. Terri and I are now acting more as part of the group, so Melanie facilitated the activities and we participated as ASBers.
Melanie led us through a variety of activities. We started with some getting-to-know-you name games. We did an activity called the Color Jacuzzi, which we will be able to continue for the rest of the week. There were different colors of paper, and each color represented something different. Everyone wrote down things about themselves, ranging from "most daring thing you've done" to "what would you do if you had $1 million and had to spend it all in one day." All these things about everyone were placed in a bucket. Others would choose a piece of paper and read what it said.
We also did an activity where we all had to hold on to a rope and with our eyes closed move from a circle into a square. This one was quite challenging, but later when we were asked to come up with a group mantra, this activity came in handy.
Our group mantra was selected to be: "Achieve, Serve, Believe-- In the Box." We made a new acronym from ASB and "In the Box" refers to the circle/square activity.
Now we are all relaxing in residence for a bit. We were planning on going to Niagara Falls tonight, but will likely postpone until later in the week due to the rainy weather we are currently experiencing here in Western New York. We may spend some time tonight just getting to know each other more through playing some board, games, chatting, or watching movies together.
In the van I was driving today, we ended up talking about my favorite movie "Casablanca" because one of our ASB participants (ASBers) is from Morocco. The ASBers in my van were very interested in the film, so we stopped by my apartment to get it as well as Scrabble.
It's nice to be able to ease into the week by getting to know each other first because from tomorrow on, it will be a very busy week!
We had some time to chat over lunch and on our van rides to and from campus. Then after lunch we all went to the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement (CSLCE) Office to do some teambuilding with Mealnie Bently-Cruz, who coordinates leadership programs in the CSLCE. Terri and I are now acting more as part of the group, so Melanie facilitated the activities and we participated as ASBers.
Melanie led us through a variety of activities. We started with some getting-to-know-you name games. We did an activity called the Color Jacuzzi, which we will be able to continue for the rest of the week. There were different colors of paper, and each color represented something different. Everyone wrote down things about themselves, ranging from "most daring thing you've done" to "what would you do if you had $1 million and had to spend it all in one day." All these things about everyone were placed in a bucket. Others would choose a piece of paper and read what it said.
We also did an activity where we all had to hold on to a rope and with our eyes closed move from a circle into a square. This one was quite challenging, but later when we were asked to come up with a group mantra, this activity came in handy.
Our group mantra was selected to be: "Achieve, Serve, Believe-- In the Box." We made a new acronym from ASB and "In the Box" refers to the circle/square activity.
Now we are all relaxing in residence for a bit. We were planning on going to Niagara Falls tonight, but will likely postpone until later in the week due to the rainy weather we are currently experiencing here in Western New York. We may spend some time tonight just getting to know each other more through playing some board, games, chatting, or watching movies together.
In the van I was driving today, we ended up talking about my favorite movie "Casablanca" because one of our ASB participants (ASBers) is from Morocco. The ASBers in my van were very interested in the film, so we stopped by my apartment to get it as well as Scrabble.
It's nice to be able to ease into the week by getting to know each other first because from tomorrow on, it will be a very busy week!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Welcome to the ASB Blog!
Welcome to the official blog of the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement's Alternative Spring Break (ASB) at the University at Buffalo.
I am Lindsey, a graduate student intern in the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement and I will be the primary blogger for the week. There may also be blogs from students as well as from Terri, the Community Engagement Coordinator.
As our Alternative Break is done in our local area (in and around the City of Buffalo), our theme is "Give Where You Live: City of Good Neighbors." Buffalo, NY is known as the City of Good Neighbors and through our service throughout ASB we hope that UB students will be able to experience the neighborly feeling of the city of Buffalo as well as contribute as good neighbors themselves.
I am Lindsey, a graduate student intern in the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement and I will be the primary blogger for the week. There may also be blogs from students as well as from Terri, the Community Engagement Coordinator.
As our Alternative Break is done in our local area (in and around the City of Buffalo), our theme is "Give Where You Live: City of Good Neighbors." Buffalo, NY is known as the City of Good Neighbors and through our service throughout ASB we hope that UB students will be able to experience the neighborly feeling of the city of Buffalo as well as contribute as good neighbors themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
