Vista Maria & Team $killz!!
| By Mikki Trowbridge - Mar 2, 2009 11:01:10 PM ET |
| Also listed in: Alternative Spring Break Detroit 2009 |
Today was our first full day of volunteering at our agency, and it was a GREAT day! I'm so excited to have the team that I do - I'm sure that all the other teams are amazing as well. But our team has SKILLZ so you know...naturally we're the best!
On a serious note however, I think this group of individuals is one of the best groups that I have served with. All the members are so optimistic and passionate about the work that we're doing. I didn't hear a single person complain today - and not only is that a joy to be around, but it's totally inspiring to me. I feel as though I have so much to learn from my teammates, and I'm excited for the week to come.
Vista Maria is a non-profit here in Detroit that focuses on at-risk girls, specifically those that are state mandated to live at Vista Maria while continuing their education, addressing their needs, and setting them up for a brighter future. The staff at Vista Maria was very passionate about the work that they do, it was apparent in everyone we came in contact with, from the volunteer manager to the facilities staff. A true sign of an effective organization.
Vista Maria's volunteer manager today told us that some of the girls that are state mandated to live on campus have had 15 - 19 failed placements in the foster care system. There's one girl currently there that has had 33 failed placements.
Vista Maria's greatest needs at this point lie in their facilities. Their agency is over 100 years old, and a number of their buildings aren't much younger. The need we will be addressing this week is painting their boiler room to get it up to code so that the agency can remain open and continue to serve at-risk girls in Detroit, and across Michigan. We already today made great progress towards our project goal for the week. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do for even a building as un-appealing as a boiler room!
While the buildings wear their needs on their sleeves (although don't get me wrong, the campus is BEAUTIFUL!), and I'm sure Vista Maria has needs that are below the surface...and I can't help but think about the reasons that these girls are where they are at today. This isn't just a Detroit specific thing...this is a deeper look at the foster care systems, the parenting education, the prevention programs for child abuse, sexual abuse, parental incarceration across America...What has led these girls to need the services of Vista Maria? And what systems and programs have allowed girls to have 10+ or even 30+ failed placements.
Tomorrow we get to spend the afternoon with a few of the girls that are living currently at Vista Maria, as well as continuing our work on the boiler room. I'm very excited to get to talk with the girls, hear their stories, and learn from them.
My questions about the systems in place won't be answered this week although it will be the beginning of my exploration...but the questions have to be asked in order for answers to be found.
On a serious note however, I think this group of individuals is one of the best groups that I have served with. All the members are so optimistic and passionate about the work that we're doing. I didn't hear a single person complain today - and not only is that a joy to be around, but it's totally inspiring to me. I feel as though I have so much to learn from my teammates, and I'm excited for the week to come.
Vista Maria is a non-profit here in Detroit that focuses on at-risk girls, specifically those that are state mandated to live at Vista Maria while continuing their education, addressing their needs, and setting them up for a brighter future. The staff at Vista Maria was very passionate about the work that they do, it was apparent in everyone we came in contact with, from the volunteer manager to the facilities staff. A true sign of an effective organization.
Vista Maria's volunteer manager today told us that some of the girls that are state mandated to live on campus have had 15 - 19 failed placements in the foster care system. There's one girl currently there that has had 33 failed placements.
Vista Maria's greatest needs at this point lie in their facilities. Their agency is over 100 years old, and a number of their buildings aren't much younger. The need we will be addressing this week is painting their boiler room to get it up to code so that the agency can remain open and continue to serve at-risk girls in Detroit, and across Michigan. We already today made great progress towards our project goal for the week. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do for even a building as un-appealing as a boiler room!
While the buildings wear their needs on their sleeves (although don't get me wrong, the campus is BEAUTIFUL!), and I'm sure Vista Maria has needs that are below the surface...and I can't help but think about the reasons that these girls are where they are at today. This isn't just a Detroit specific thing...this is a deeper look at the foster care systems, the parenting education, the prevention programs for child abuse, sexual abuse, parental incarceration across America...What has led these girls to need the services of Vista Maria? And what systems and programs have allowed girls to have 10+ or even 30+ failed placements.
Tomorrow we get to spend the afternoon with a few of the girls that are living currently at Vista Maria, as well as continuing our work on the boiler room. I'm very excited to get to talk with the girls, hear their stories, and learn from them.
My questions about the systems in place won't be answered this week although it will be the beginning of my exploration...but the questions have to be asked in order for answers to be found.
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