Love, Save the Empty
Today was our last day working at Lighthouse Path. We got to meet a woman who uses the services at Lighthouse Path, and it kinda hit home. After our conversation, we finished our last day by rearranging the daycare's storage room (which looked HORRIBLE). In the process, we found Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. Jessica, one of the team leaders, read aloud a poem that basically sums up why we're all here...
Small as a peanut
Big as a giant,
We're all the same size
When we turn off the light.
Rich as a sultan,
Poor as a mite,
We're all worth the same
when we turn off the light.
Red black or orange,
Yellow or white
We all look the same
When we turn off the light.
So maybe the way
To make everything right
Is for God to just reach out
And turn off the light.
Small as a peanut
Big as a giant,
We're all the same size
When we turn off the light.
Rich as a sultan,
Poor as a mite,
We're all worth the same
when we turn off the light.
Red black or orange,
Yellow or white
We all look the same
When we turn off the light.
So maybe the way
To make everything right
Is for God to just reach out
And turn off the light.
Apparently, everything "mysteriously" was blocked from the internet yesterday, so i'm going to attempt to recount the activities of today and today.
First and foremost, I LOVE my group! I'm having a blast, and I can't stop laughing! I have THE funniest team leaders, and everyone else adds onto it. We're painting apartments at Lighthouse Path for a family moving in by the end of the week. Today we finished painting all of our first apartment, so we were sent to rearrange the storage room, because the kiddies were still participating in nap time. For the last hr and a half, I believe, we got to play with the kiddies! Omjeeeeez! They're ALL absolutely adorable! I didn't want to leave =[. I took a few pics, and i'll upload them soon (I say that, but I have a feeling it's not going to happen until everything dies down. Tomorrow, we're working at rooms specifically for pregnant teens, and we're renovating over there.
After dinner, we had a few speakers come in to talk about the 211 program at United Way (if you don't know it, you should check it out). Ends up, we're supposed to finish our projects on Thursday, and for Friday, we're all joining together for a bigger project. 211 has been helping individuals who've been impacted by the state of our economy. Their main purpose is to help individuals to finds jobs or help volunteers find projects. Friday, we're all going on a job hunt in downtown Detroit to hopefully add on more contacts/resources for individuals using 211. I'm uber excited. Definitely different from what i've done in past years, and I think it's THE best idea for a project thus far.
My days have been ending earlier and earlier each day. I've been so tired, but i'm surviving! I'm having a blast and hope you all are having a blast as well!
Christina
First and foremost, I LOVE my group! I'm having a blast, and I can't stop laughing! I have THE funniest team leaders, and everyone else adds onto it. We're painting apartments at Lighthouse Path for a family moving in by the end of the week. Today we finished painting all of our first apartment, so we were sent to rearrange the storage room, because the kiddies were still participating in nap time. For the last hr and a half, I believe, we got to play with the kiddies! Omjeeeeez! They're ALL absolutely adorable! I didn't want to leave =[. I took a few pics, and i'll upload them soon (I say that, but I have a feeling it's not going to happen until everything dies down. Tomorrow, we're working at rooms specifically for pregnant teens, and we're renovating over there.
After dinner, we had a few speakers come in to talk about the 211 program at United Way (if you don't know it, you should check it out). Ends up, we're supposed to finish our projects on Thursday, and for Friday, we're all joining together for a bigger project. 211 has been helping individuals who've been impacted by the state of our economy. Their main purpose is to help individuals to finds jobs or help volunteers find projects. Friday, we're all going on a job hunt in downtown Detroit to hopefully add on more contacts/resources for individuals using 211. I'm uber excited. Definitely different from what i've done in past years, and I think it's THE best idea for a project thus far.
My days have been ending earlier and earlier each day. I've been so tired, but i'm surviving! I'm having a blast and hope you all are having a blast as well!
Christina
After passing out SO fast last night, I woke up around 6AM to a) lay there for a few mins to make sure I was awake b) Clean myself up and c) get breakfast! We spent 4 hrs doing team building activites (rock climb, bang, etc). After the intense training, we got lunch. For the next 3-4 hrs, we toured the Detroit area. I didn't really know anything about Detroit before coming here, but it's AMAZING. The one thing I wanted to specifically point out is the Heidelberg Project. Works cannot explain how amazing is... so i'll just leave a video.
The Heidelberg Project from Laura Kuster on Vimeo.
Our first day is tomorrow. I'm sure i'll have more to say after that... too lazy to post pics now, but I will soon.
The Heidelberg Project from Laura Kuster on Vimeo.
Our first day is tomorrow. I'm sure i'll have more to say after that... too lazy to post pics now, but I will soon.
Day 1 is coming to an end. We had a dinner that looked amazing. Unfortunately, I did not get to taste the main course, because it was smothered in pesto. Instead, I had a little bit of the vegetarian lasagna and a small cold slice of pizza!
We just got out into the welcome introduction. Campus Life Video will be following us all around at our sites to tape the various projects all the groups will be working with. At the end of our week here, they'll give us all a copy, so i'm uber excited about that!
We assembled into our groups, which we've decided to name The Condiments... I am going as mustard (because i'm yellow =]). We will be working in an area around 30-35 mins away from base camp (we're staying at the University of Michigan in Dearborn). There, we will be working with Lighthouse Path, a shelter for women, who are single and with children, that have been involved with domestic violence relationships. For the first part of the day, we will be repainting the center. For the second part of the day, we will be working in the daycare with the children. I'M UBER EXCITED!!!!! Tomorrow, we'll be taking a tour of Detroit and eating at some famous seafood restaurant (big whoop!).
As for now, I'm really REALLY tired, and I need sleep. I got about 30 mins last night/this morning, and I feel horrible. I'm off to clean up and go to sleep!
Ciao for now!
We just got out into the welcome introduction. Campus Life Video will be following us all around at our sites to tape the various projects all the groups will be working with. At the end of our week here, they'll give us all a copy, so i'm uber excited about that!
We assembled into our groups, which we've decided to name The Condiments... I am going as mustard (because i'm yellow =]). We will be working in an area around 30-35 mins away from base camp (we're staying at the University of Michigan in Dearborn). There, we will be working with Lighthouse Path, a shelter for women, who are single and with children, that have been involved with domestic violence relationships. For the first part of the day, we will be repainting the center. For the second part of the day, we will be working in the daycare with the children. I'M UBER EXCITED!!!!! Tomorrow, we'll be taking a tour of Detroit and eating at some famous seafood restaurant (big whoop!).
As for now, I'm really REALLY tired, and I need sleep. I got about 30 mins last night/this morning, and I feel horrible. I'm off to clean up and go to sleep!
Ciao for now!
So I landed in Detroit this morning with a horrible headache, 30 mins of sleep, and 100% drowsiness. It's a tad bit different from the previous years. Usually they pick us up in groups, but the airports 15 mins from the airport so I was the only one being picked up at the time. MILLIONS of paperwork and signatures! Despite the cramping hands, I got a hoody, 3 shirts, and a nalgeine bottle (sp?). So at the moment it's downtime until everyone checks in. Lunch is supposed to be here soon, so i'm going to wait for that before I pass out under the table.
We're staying at the University of Michigan in Deerborne?... I think I have that right. I'm staying in a yoga room filled with cots. We're right across from the Henry Ford factory and museum. It's reall weird! It's like a mini community for factory workers...
Ok, I think i'm just going to take a nap before the food gets here. I feel/most likely look like crizzap.
We're staying at the University of Michigan in Deerborne?... I think I have that right. I'm staying in a yoga room filled with cots. We're right across from the Henry Ford factory and museum. It's reall weird! It's like a mini community for factory workers...
Ok, I think i'm just going to take a nap before the food gets here. I feel/most likely look like crizzap.
I'm absolutely excited to venture out into a new location for United Way's ASB this year. The past two years, I've been involved with the ASB program in Lake Charles, LA. I've been introduced to many problems still recurring in the areas, as well as individuals who share the same interest as me: to make a difference.
In all honesty, at first I was skeptic with getting involved with the program. I mean, I already had plans for the Spring Break in 2007. It was a difficult choice: either to enjoy a week at the beach or fly to an unknown place, with people I don't know, and to work everyday. Well, as you know, I chose to work.
It was the best decision I've made! I feel like I've grown as a person because of it. I realized that volunteering not only benefits others, but it also benefits me. I didn't want to leave after my week in Lake Charles. You form these bonds with strangers you never thought you would in a matter of minutes and you're all there for one purpose. It's amazing! It's what keeps me coming back every year.
I'm ready! I'm looking forward to another amazing week to work, and i'm also gearing myself for the teary-eyed fly back home.
In all honesty, at first I was skeptic with getting involved with the program. I mean, I already had plans for the Spring Break in 2007. It was a difficult choice: either to enjoy a week at the beach or fly to an unknown place, with people I don't know, and to work everyday. Well, as you know, I chose to work.
It was the best decision I've made! I feel like I've grown as a person because of it. I realized that volunteering not only benefits others, but it also benefits me. I didn't want to leave after my week in Lake Charles. You form these bonds with strangers you never thought you would in a matter of minutes and you're all there for one purpose. It's amazing! It's what keeps me coming back every year.
I'm ready! I'm looking forward to another amazing week to work, and i'm also gearing myself for the teary-eyed fly back home.
Posts