Hi English Class/ World! So this being my first blog, more than half-way into the semester, you may be wondering if I have done any service yet... The answer is yes and no. Yes, I have begun my service in the sense that everyday I'm involved in the planning or implementation or a multitude of projects and services put on by Purdue Student Government or my own organizations. However, these services, which I have committed my time to, benefit "us" as the student body- hence indirectly "me," as well.
The real answer, or that which will affect my grade, is "no." Why not? I asked myself this, too. Am I lazy? Procrastinating? Selfish? At first, I thought these could have been the causes. BUT...last week I found a project that really excited me! This is a service provided through Lafayette Urban Ministries, called the LUM Emergency Homeless Shelter. As the tittle alludes to, this is a place where the homeless can eat, shower, and stay safely overnight. My role within this organization is titled Overnight Volunteer; the job is tied into the entire process of feeding and bunking these men and women.
I will attend my first training session this Thursday night. Wish me luck.
It sounds like you're having fun! The LUM Emergency Homeless Shelter sounds like a wonderful organization and hopefully you can bring about a lot of good being there! It's something that is really needed around and I'm sure you'll be wonderful! GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteI’ve actually heard of the LUM before and I’ve heard some really great things about it! They’re supposed to do a lot of good for the community, really helping out everyone but especially families. When I first heard about them it was just a woman talking to my group about volunteering with their afterschool programs for kids, but that’s amazing how they also provide a safe place for people to spend the night, especially with how crazy the weather’s been lately. That's awesome that you're going to be helping them out!
ReplyDeleteIt’s too bad that your work with the student government can’t count for your community service hours. Even if it is benefiting you as well it still is a great service for the West Lafayette area and the Purdue campus.
That’s awesome that you found a service partner that excites you and that you are looking forward to! That sounds like a really cool service location and what you will be doing seems like it will be very beneficial to the community. I think everyone should find a service and service partner that they are excited for, and not just simply passing the time by and getting the hours just for the grade, and you are lucky you found one that you are so excited to ‘work’ at. I bet not many people are willing to take the role of an overnight volunteer so I bet they are very glad and fortunate to have found you to take this role in the organization. It’s also cool that you have established your own organizations that have benefitted the community. Good luck on your first training session! I bet it will be extremely interesting.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It’s wonderful to hear that you have gotten a service partner secured. There is no better feeling than when you know you don’t have to worry. I am curious, though, about some of what this opportunity entails. You said that you would work as an “Overnight Volunteer,” so how long you would be staying at the shelter? Also is this shelter relatively far away from campus?
ReplyDeleteThough I have never been to a homeless shelter, this seems like it would be the perfect place to do a group research project. When I think of homeless shelters the movie The Pursuit of Happiness, with Will Smith, and his son, come to mind. Based off of the images shown in the movie there would be lots of problems to address at this location such as overcrowding, low budgets (depending on from where funding comes), food shortages and unfortunately many other issues. I almost wish I had thought to volunteer at a homeless shelter. It would have been rewarding to write a paper on this subject.
I'm glad you raised those questions. The shelter is very close to campus-4th street in downtown Lafayette. It seems to me that this location does not experience the stereotypical issues that other shelters endure. The facility is well funded through governmental grants and church resources. They will not let in any more people than they have beds for, so over crowding in not an issue here. The food is modest but appreciated. I;m sure the shelter wouldn't serve meals if they did not have enough for everyone, as far as I know they have not had this problem.
DeleteHowever, things were not always clean and shiny at LUM. I know they they recently moved into the facility in which they currently reside. Before they were in a church basement, I believe.
Yes, I am, in the most literal sense, an overnight volunteer. My service will take place between the hours of 8:30pm and 7:00am. I am also on duty for 3 days in a row, to get all my service in on time. should be an eventful/strenuous 3 days.
I have never worked with LUM but have have heard many wonderful things about them. Working with the people I heard was the most rewarding part of the job. An overnight volunteer might be fun. It would definitely make sure that you had time to do it. I don't think you are lazy for waiting this long. If I didn't have so many other classes on my plate I would have waited this long too but I figured that I needed to get it done and out of the way so that it was one less thing that I had to worry about come the end of the semester. And now that we are here with six weeks left I thank god that I didn't wait till now to start it. You are very brave doing that. Good luck with your service and I will be anxious to see how it all goes.
ReplyDeleteI looked into this for my service learning. I was a little apprehensive however because of the overnight thing however. I don't know if you have to stay literally over night or if you just help who people are getting settled for the night. If It was the all night thing I wouldn't be able to do this probably, so more power to you!! Hopefully you get all your hours in!!! GOOD LUCK!
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