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.