I ran a quick errand this afternoon and stopped by Coffee Break to get coffee for my colleagues. They had horoscopes from a local paper posted on the counter and my eyes happened to gaze in that direction. This is what my horoscope said:
When asked by well-meaning Western disciples whether they might join her efforts, Mother Teresa would often reply: "Find your own Calcutta." Opportunities to help those in need are everywhere.
Coincidence? I don't think so. Searching for mine...
C2C KidPack Distribution
Bringing pure joy and a smile that can light up a room to a young child’s face is an empowering and rewarding feeling that Michael A. Nicastro, III, Director of Community Safety Programs and Community Outreach at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, experiences on a weekly basis when he delivers Cradles to Crayons KidPacks to children in Chelsea, East Boston, Revere and Winthrop.East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is one of about 400 social service agencies that partner with Cradles to Crayons to provide children in Massachusetts with the basic essentials they need to be safe, warm, ready to learn and feel valued throughout the year.
“I feel like it makes a difference in their lives because they may not have been able to afford it on their own,” Nicastro said.
Cradles to Crayons’ employees do not typically interact directly with the children we serve, but recently I was extended an invitation to join Nicastro on two trips as he delivered Cradles to Crayons KidPacks filled with clothing, coats, shoes, books and toys.
Nicastro has worked with Cradles to Crayons for about four years and in that time he estimates that he’s delivered at least 1,500 KidPacks. A number of families in other towns in the surrounding area pick up their KidPacks at the health center.
Nicastro receives referrals from pediatricians, obstetricians and other medical staff at the health center who request items from Cradles to Crayons on behalf of their patients. Depending on the number of orders ready for pick up, Nicastro typically drives down to Quincy on Friday mornings to load the orders in the van and then goes from house to house delivering the packages.
To ensure the packages are getting to the children, Nicastro calls the parents or caregivers the night before to arrange the drop off and gives them an expected time of arrival. On the first visit with Nicastro, we loaded 35 KidPacks into the back of the van and organized them by zip code.
Our first stop was a home in Chelsea. When we arrived at the home, we called to let the mother know we were outside. We had four packages for her children ranging in age from 3-11. The mother came outside to greet us and we helped carry the bags to her front door. She did not converse much, but the simple “thank you” and handshake showed her overwhelming gratitude.
“This is what’s satisfying,” Nicastro said. “You can’t get more grassroots than this…”
As we drove through the neighborhoods in Chelsea and East Boston that day, many of the mothers who came outside their homes to meet us and accept the packages did not speak English very well. But again the expression on their faces spoke more than words ever could and showed their immense appreciation for the products Cradles to Crayons is providing for their children.
Nicastro explained that the KidPacks represent money that parents or caregivers do not have to spend. Instead the money saved on clothing, toys and winter coats goes toward groceries, electric and heating bills and rent.
“C2C provides an option to them [parents] that they otherwise would not have,” Nicastro said. “In many instances, they would not have it [winter items] if it were not for Cradles.”
Many of the children receiving KidPacks are from Central and South America and they are unaccustomed to the New England winters. They are not prepared for the cold temperatures and there are children without coats and boots at school bus stops, Nicastro said.
For Nicastro, it is the direct interaction with patients that makes this part of his job so rewarding. “You can see the need,” Nicastro said. “It helps me to self actualize. I’ve learned to lose my self-importance.”
After a woman in East Boston received KidPacks for her 8-month-old, 2-year-old and 3-year-old, she asked me for my Cradles to Crayons business card because she wanted to send a thank you note to make the staff aware of how much this helps her and her family.
Our last stop during that first trip was a home in East Boston. A little girl dressed in red pants and white shirt with the word “Diva” written across the front in red piping pranced out of the house and greeted me with a big smile.
I will never forget the look on the 3-year-old girl’s face in East Boston when her eyes gazed upon the KidPack. Immediately, she started dancing around the bag and excitedly asked, “Is this for me? Is this for me?”
I crouched down to her level to examine the contents of the bag with her. She looked like a little diva as she danced around the bag and pointed at the new clothes, coat, books and toys in the bag. A birthday gift was included in the package and I told her that there was something extra special in there for her.
Without any hesitation, she wrapped her little arms around me and gave me the biggest bear hug a 3-year-old can give. Then she kissed me on the cheek. Her mother looked on and just smiled. At that moment, there were no words that could express how grateful the mother was for the contents inside the KidPack.
In these few seconds, I was overwhelmed with emotion and my eyes welled up with tears of happiness. Before we said goodbye and made the trip back to Cradles to Crayons, the little girl turned around and gave me a high five. It was her pure innocence and excitement that melted my heart. Days like this leave a lasting impression and give the work we do at Cradles to Crayons new meaning and perspective.
In my two delivery trips with Nicastro, we delivered a total of 74 KidPacks. On the second trip at the end of October, we delivered KidPacks to homes in Chelsea, Orient Heights in East Boston, Everett and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. The recipients at each and every home were humbled to receive the KidPacks and gracious in accepting them.
Nicastro will be in tomorrow morning at his regular time to pick up about 50 orders and plans to spend his Friday delivering all of them.
“This is one of the best things I do,” he said.
To date this year, Cradles to Crayons has provided 18,473 Kid Packs to low-income and homeless children living in Massachusetts, which is an increase of 26 percent over last year’s 14,681 KidPacks.
“It’s been a truly wonderful relationship,” Nicastro said. “Without [Cradles to Crayons], many of these children wouldn’t have winter clothing…that’s a fact.”
Fortune from 10/30/09
"The simplest answer is to act."
This is a very fitting statement for me at the stage I am in right now.
This is a very fitting statement for me at the stage I am in right now.
The Bright Side
To a very special 3-year-old in East Boston who made today a day I will never forget. Thank you!
Take A Look Around
You think you have it bad and start to feel sorry for yourself. In the last week, you've gotten in a car accident (that was not your fault) and your boyfriend broke up with you.
Everyone around you is trying to give advice, but none of them have their lives in any type of order, so REALLY what in the world qualifies them?
The walls feel like they are about to crumble in on you and it seems you are trapped.
But there is a silver lining.
The facts:
* You are alive and were not injured in the accident.
* The car is just a thing and can be fixed.
* There are more fish in the sea.
NOTE to everyone: Open your eyes and really take a look around to notice what's MOST important!
Everyone around you is trying to give advice, but none of them have their lives in any type of order, so REALLY what in the world qualifies them?
The walls feel like they are about to crumble in on you and it seems you are trapped.
But there is a silver lining.
The facts:
* You are alive and were not injured in the accident.
* The car is just a thing and can be fixed.
* There are more fish in the sea.
NOTE to everyone: Open your eyes and really take a look around to notice what's MOST important!
Give More Than You Take
Too often daily life is consumed by people thinking of themselves and how they can get ahead in this world. It is rare when people actually stop what they are doing, even if just for a minute, to reflect and think of others around them who need help and may be struggling.
However, with President Barack Obama in office stressing the importance of civic engagement and young, energetic and idealistic minds like those of the Being and Doing (B.A.D.) crew – Andrew Michalko, 23, Chris McNulty, 23, and Katie Michalko, 19 – that attitude may be changing.
Obama has vowed to make public service a theme of his presidency. On the eve of his inauguration Obama said, “Don’t underestimate the power for people to pull together and to accomplish amazing things.”
“These young people have huge potential that right now is not being tapped, and given the crisis that we’re in and the hardships that so many people are going through, we can’t allow any idle hands,” he added. “Everybody’s got to be involved. Everybody’s going to have to pitch in, and I think the American people are ready for that.”
B.A.D. defies the stereotype of lazy and idle people as their name suggests. Hungry with desire to bring about social change and awareness of the work other nonprofit organizations are doing, the Michalko siblings and McNulty created Being and Doing.
Hailing from Lakewood, Ohio, Being and Doing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing attention to the ideals and goals of other nonprofit groups across the country. B.A.D. accomplishes this by traveling from site to site in their BADmobile to volunteer. After completing about a week of service, they move on to the next project, but continue to spread the word about the nonprofit in their blog.
After about seven months of careful planning, self reflection and deliberation, B.A.D. began their trek. They departed from Cleveland May 22 and have traveled to and volunteered at nonprofits in Racine, Ohio; Alliance, Ohio, Philadelphia, Boston and Bar Harbor, Maine.
B.A.D. volunteered at C2C Philadelphia mid June and continued on to C2C Boston for a week. While at The Giving Factory, the B.A.D. crew worked with volunteers at the various work stations in the warehouse.
Volunteering can be an invaluable experience, and the B.A.D. crew is learning this firsthand on their journey. “Volunteering is a fun way to stay connected to the true things in this world that deserve it,” Andrew said. “Community is the thing that keeps people together and should be great.”
Katie’s hope is to increase awareness about the nonprofit sector, as well as encourage people to think about their values, what motivates them and what is truly necessary and important in life.
“When you volunteer, you’re thinking about someone other than yourself and you’re actively participating in something bigger than yourself,” Katie said. “This is extremely important because it reminds you of what you possess and what other people are lacking, or vise versa, and how easy it is to simply make yourself available to help other people.”
“Volunteering is labor without an ulterior motive,” McNulty said. “ It is freely giving of oneself for the benefit of individuals or groups who, in turn, are working for a greater good.”
B.A.D. serves as just one example of how people can immerse themselves in volunteer work. They also exemplify what it means to have a vision, follow through on it and lead by example.
Not many people have the means to engage in volunteer work to this extreme. However, just because you can’t pack up and travel around the country to volunteer, doesn’t mean you can’t give back. Volunteering can be made simple and giving back can take multiple forms.
In Obama’s first 100 days, he followed through on his commitment to national service, as he signed the Edward M. Kennedy Act. This bill creates a plethora of opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve in their communities.
Obama’s message and this bill are reminders that everyone has something to give.
“The stigma is that volunteering is a lot of hard work without any reward, but the reward is just not something that you can spend on a pack of gum,” McNulty said. “The rewards include experience, lessons, networking, accomplishment, self-worth, appreciation, exercise and hearty laughter. Volunteer work is everywhere, and while people have their pet projects, all good work is GOOD work.”
McNulty hopes that B.A.D. inspires people to take some kind of action. “Complacent behavior is the downfall of real progression, and I want to stir people’s minds out of complacency,” he said.
If these values could be instilled in each one of us, this world would be a different place. We should encourage our family, friends and colleagues to step outside of their comfort zone and look beyond what they know and question what they can do to make a difference.
Signs
Looking for a sign to point me in the right direction. The first sign came in the form of bright orange, sparkly letters that spelled out Newport as I crossed the "Purple People Eater" bridge from Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky with the gymnastics team the night before nationals in April 2007. Result: Newport Daily News. The second sign was my encounter and interview with Erik Omondi Okoth in July 2008. Result: AmeriCorps VISTA year at C2C. The next sign...I'm looking for it. Result: ???
Followers vs. Leaders
A trusted friend shared these words with me:
There are followers and there are leaders. You are a leader once you recognize you're a leader. Problems occur when the followers think they are leaders.
This link pretty much sums it up:
http://webgazine.com/Post511637-Few-Leaders-Many-Followers.htm
What are you?
There are followers and there are leaders. You are a leader once you recognize you're a leader. Problems occur when the followers think they are leaders.
This link pretty much sums it up:
http://webgazine.com/Post511637-Few-Leaders-Many-Followers.htm
What are you?
A Place I Call[ed] Home?!?
The Bay State Banner is a place that I hold close to my heart. Last week, The Bay State Banner published what could very well be its last edition. Publisher Melvin Miller decided to suspend publication, citing a loss in advertising revenue and also calling for a new generation to step in and run the paper, seeing as he has done it for 44 years and his 75th birthday is approaching. When I heard the news, I literally had a pit in my stomach.
The Banner is where I got my start in professional journalism. Though I was still in school at Boston University studying journalism when I first came to the Banner, the truth is that the classroom could only teach me so much. The Banner is where I was able to put the practices I was learning into use.
Howard Manly gave me that first chance and I will forever be grateful. I remember the very first day I walked into the newsroom to meet with Howard. Wide eyed, anxious and my heart about to jump out of my chest, I waited patiently for what seemed at least an hour to meet with him.
When we finally sat down, Howard asked me a few questions, but shortly thereafter was welcoming me with open arms and inviting me to come in and edit Tuesday nights, as well as write stories. I can't even begin to tell you how many Tuesday nights I spent at the Banner editing pages till the wee hours.
The Tuesday night crew - you know who you are - was awesome and is irreplaceable. There was a chemistry and bonds formed that were tremendously hard to top. Not only did I improve my journalistic skills and become better informed and acquainted with the issues facing African Americans in Boston and the surrounding communities, but I also acquired a family.
This family has taught me more than words in this blog can express. This family has not only taught me best journalism practices, but has also guided me along the way and allowed me to grow as a human being.
The thought of the Banner no longer being available is saddening because people cannot and will not get the same stories in The Boston Globe or The Boston Herald. The Banner means something to me and it means something to the people in the communities it serves.
It is closing in on four years since I first walked in the doors at the Banner. People have come and gone, but the memories made, relationships formed and lessons learned will stay with me for a lifetime. I've known I wanted to be a journalist for many years now, but it was at the Banner where the hard work first came to fruition and the daydreams first turned to reality.
Time will tell, but I believe Boston and the surrounding communities will be better served and informed if the Banner can stick it out and find investors who believe in its mission.
Passage From The Alchemist
"When I have been truly searching for my treasure, every day has been luminous, because I've known that every hour was a part of the dream that I would find it. When I have been truly searching for my treasure, I've discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for [me] to achieve."
Great Expectations
I've always had high expectations for myself and those I work and associate with.
If you are going to do something, do it with all your heart. If you're not in it for the long haul, get out so someone else can move in and do it right.
If you are going to do something, do it with all your heart. If you're not in it for the long haul, get out so someone else can move in and do it right.
Strengths & Weaknesses
I was told today that one of my greatest strengths could be one of my greatest weaknesses.
Something to think about...
Something to think about...
Advice of the Day
JUST DO IT!
A simple phrase that gets right to the heart of it, but from someone whose opinion I value.
A simple phrase that gets right to the heart of it, but from someone whose opinion I value.
Why the Pokerface?
Please explain to me why people hide behind a facade.
* Are they insecure?
* Are they afraid of being judged?
* Are they ashamed of where they come from or something they've done?
The masked person doesn't interest me. I want to know the real you. I want to know the real story behind the real you. I simply want to understand. If you think you are trying to please or make an impression by putting on a show, the reality is is that I don't buy it.
I wish people could be comfortable in their own skin and just be real. I'm not asking you to divulge your entire life story, but what I am asking is that you be sincere and honest. If you're happy, be happy. If you're sad, be sad. Stop being phony and just be you.
You may think that by wearing this "mask", people will not figure out who the real you is. Truth = It's only a matter of time. People will begin to see through the cracks.
Life is too short to play games and frankly, I think you will be better off if you stop talking the talk and actually walk the walk.
* Are they insecure?
* Are they afraid of being judged?
* Are they ashamed of where they come from or something they've done?
The masked person doesn't interest me. I want to know the real you. I want to know the real story behind the real you. I simply want to understand. If you think you are trying to please or make an impression by putting on a show, the reality is is that I don't buy it.
I wish people could be comfortable in their own skin and just be real. I'm not asking you to divulge your entire life story, but what I am asking is that you be sincere and honest. If you're happy, be happy. If you're sad, be sad. Stop being phony and just be you.
You may think that by wearing this "mask", people will not figure out who the real you is. Truth = It's only a matter of time. People will begin to see through the cracks.
Life is too short to play games and frankly, I think you will be better off if you stop talking the talk and actually walk the walk.
Two Roads
Questions at hand:
1). Do I choose the safe and secure road?
OR
2). Do I choose to venture beyond, take a risk and travel the road with a question mark at the end?
1). Do I choose the safe and secure road?
OR
2). Do I choose to venture beyond, take a risk and travel the road with a question mark at the end?
The Road
"Looking For A Road"
- Brent Keith -
I'm lookin' for a road
Might be dirty, might be gravel
I'm lookin' for a road
Only I'm suppose to travel
Might be right around a corner
Might be a thousand miles to go
But I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that road
I'm lookin' for a sky
Where I can see forever
I'm lookin' for a sky
That leads straight up to heaven
I'm gonna climb up every mountain
Til my soul begins to fly
Yes, I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that sky
And I know it won't be easy
And I know it won't be long
With every step I'm getting closer
To the place where I belong
I'm looking for a love
That's stronger than Jibralta
I'm looking for a love
That never sleeps and never falters
I might get knocked down and turned around
But I'm not giving up
Yes, I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that love
And I know it won't be easy
And God knows it won't be long
With every step I'm getting closer
To the place where I belong
I'm lookin' for a road
Might be dirty, might be gravel
I'm lookin' for a road
Only I'm suppose to travel
Might be right around a corner
Might be a thousand miles to go
But I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that road
It'll take me to a place
That I can liven up my notes
So I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that road
Yeah, Yeah
I'm lookin' for that road
Yeah
I'm lookin for that road
Life Is A Gift
Life Is A Gift...
A dear friend of mine recently lost his father unexpectedly. When I first heard the news, I didn't believe it. He was too young and appeared to be in great health. This man was the same age as my father and made me realize that those we love and sometimes take for granted can be taken away from us in an instant.
I attended the services for my friend's father and it was clear that he was loved tremendously by his family and friends. There was not a dry eye in the funeral home during the service. Though I did not know my friend's father all that well, I experienced an overwhelming flood of feelings and emotions that I wasn't quite sure how to deal with.
I traveled to be with my friend during this difficult time, but when I finally got there and saw him, I was at a loss for words.
If you know me, that is a pretty rare occurrence.
I could see how upset he was, but I knew deep down that there was nothing I could say to make him feel better and make the pain go away. Sometimes just being there, being a shoulder to lean on or being a listener is all that person needs. I am happy I could be that for my friend.
When I think of my own life, it is hard to imagine it without my mom and dad. They have always been there for me - supporting and encouraging me and my dreams every step of the way. Though I am an independent 24-year-old living on my own, I still need and look to my mom and dad for support and guidance.
A dear friend of mine recently lost his father unexpectedly. When I first heard the news, I didn't believe it. He was too young and appeared to be in great health. This man was the same age as my father and made me realize that those we love and sometimes take for granted can be taken away from us in an instant.
I attended the services for my friend's father and it was clear that he was loved tremendously by his family and friends. There was not a dry eye in the funeral home during the service. Though I did not know my friend's father all that well, I experienced an overwhelming flood of feelings and emotions that I wasn't quite sure how to deal with.
I traveled to be with my friend during this difficult time, but when I finally got there and saw him, I was at a loss for words.
If you know me, that is a pretty rare occurrence.
I could see how upset he was, but I knew deep down that there was nothing I could say to make him feel better and make the pain go away. Sometimes just being there, being a shoulder to lean on or being a listener is all that person needs. I am happy I could be that for my friend.
When I think of my own life, it is hard to imagine it without my mom and dad. They have always been there for me - supporting and encouraging me and my dreams every step of the way. Though I am an independent 24-year-old living on my own, I still need and look to my mom and dad for support and guidance.
My Wish For You
Thoughts I've recently contemplated:
Wouldn't it be great if we woke up every morning in a fabulous mood and were able to maintain it throughout the day?
Wouldn't it be great if we loved the job we go to every day?
Wouldn't it be great if we knew ahead of time what the right decisions are and how they will fit into the grand scheme of things?
Simple answer: YES
Reality: There are no simple answers.
My wish for you is that you wake up in the morning with fresh eyes, take a look around and make a conscious effort to be present. Take time to observe the people and the environment surrounding you.
My wish for you is that you find a job that you love and you do it with all your heart. We all know that perfection is hard to attain, but maybe it's my idealistic attitude that leads me to believe that it is possible to secure a job that makes you want to get up in the morning and gets you fired up.
My wish for you is that you realize sooner rather than later that you don't have to please everyone 100 percent of the time. You can try if you want, but you will get tired quickly because it is simply impossible. It's imperative to take the time to please yourself and do what makes you happy.
My wish for you is that you follow your heart. There are people who want to give advice all the time, but sometimes the only advice worth listening to is the voice in your head.
Though it sounds cliche, my final wish for you is to believe that things happen for a reason. Good, bad or ugly, there is a reason and lessons can be learned from all of them.
Wouldn't it be great if we woke up every morning in a fabulous mood and were able to maintain it throughout the day?
Wouldn't it be great if we loved the job we go to every day?
Wouldn't it be great if we knew ahead of time what the right decisions are and how they will fit into the grand scheme of things?
Simple answer: YES
Reality: There are no simple answers.
My wish for you is that you wake up in the morning with fresh eyes, take a look around and make a conscious effort to be present. Take time to observe the people and the environment surrounding you.
My wish for you is that you find a job that you love and you do it with all your heart. We all know that perfection is hard to attain, but maybe it's my idealistic attitude that leads me to believe that it is possible to secure a job that makes you want to get up in the morning and gets you fired up.
My wish for you is that you realize sooner rather than later that you don't have to please everyone 100 percent of the time. You can try if you want, but you will get tired quickly because it is simply impossible. It's imperative to take the time to please yourself and do what makes you happy.
My wish for you is that you follow your heart. There are people who want to give advice all the time, but sometimes the only advice worth listening to is the voice in your head.
Though it sounds cliche, my final wish for you is to believe that things happen for a reason. Good, bad or ugly, there is a reason and lessons can be learned from all of them.
A Matter of Perspective
I am making poverty level income during the course of my AmeriCorps VISTA year and one of the benefits of the program is that members qualify for food aid. On February 16, 2009 I had an appointment at 9 a.m. at the Department of Transitional Assistance on Massachusetts Avenue. The reason for the appointment is that I'd applied for food stamps and before I could be officially approved, I needed to complete an in-person interview. I woke up that morning feeling like it was going to be like all the rest. I had no idea what was in store for me, but it did not turn out to be like "all the rest". I had this preconceived notion that I would walk into the DTA and be seen right away by my caseworker since my letter said that my appointment was at 9 a.m. I thought I was going to sign a few papers, be handed my Bay State Access card for food stamps and then walk out the door. Well, it turns out that it doesn't work quite like that.
As I walked in through the double doors at the DTA, I found myself surrounded by about 100 other people sitting in the waiting room. There was also a line of about 15 people waiting to speak with one of two receptionists. When I got to the front of the line, I filled out a piece of paper with my name, social security number and caseworker's name. Turns out this piece of paper was the one that would hold my place in line and the other piece of paper with my 9 a.m. appointment written on it meant nothing.
FIRST COME FIRST SERVE
I found an empty corner to stand in and waited my turn. Right away, I began surveying the room and taking it all in. There were no empty seats and the mood in the room was somber and there was a quiet buzz of chatter. The crowd was diverse as I was surrounded by a mix of white, black, Asian, Latino, young, old, homeless, employed and unemployed people. I couldn't help but think about each person's individual story and how they got here. (I guess that's the journalist in me).
According to an article printed February 26, 2009 in The Boston Globe, there are now more than 600,000 Massachusetts residents receiving food stamps. This number has surged 20 percent from over a year ago and there is no sign of this slowing down as there are as many as 20,000 new applications coming in every month.
As the minutes ticked by, I began to question if I even deserved to be there and tears started to well up in my eyes. Did these other people deserve food stamps more than me? Am I taking someone's spot that needs these benefits more than I do? I could tell that there were others in the room experiencing much tougher times than me. I could not just sit there and keep the feelings I was experiencing to myself. I needed to talk to my mom and decided to step outside to make the phone call.
I told my mom how I was feeling and she told me that I deserved to be there and receive food stamps just as much as anybody else standing and waiting in line. She reminded me that I am on an equal pay scale as a number of the people in that room this year. My mom said that I shouldn't feel sad or guilty about being there, but instead feel happy and proud that the work I am doing this year as an AmeriCorps VISTA is in fact making a difference and helping these people lead better lives. This is why I wanted to join AmeriCorps in the first place. I said at the beginning, "If I can touch just one life, it will be all worth it."
I walked back in the waiting room for my name to be called. There was a steady stream of people entering and leaving the DTA all morning. As I sat there, all I could think of was how fortunate I am to come from where I do and have the love and support of my family. Tears came to my eyes more than once...not because I was upset about being there, but moreso because I was overcome with emotions about what I was seeing.
I've always had a family who encouraged me to pursue my passions and dreams and because of them I have been able to do that thus far. The main difference between me and those surrounding me that day at the DTA is the fact that I come from an upper middle class upbringing and I have never known what it means to struggle. I still don't think I fully grasp that, but as a VISTA I am getting a glimpse of what it is like for these people on a daily basis.
After more than three hours, the caseworker finally called my name. I walked down a long corridor, sat at a desk and filled out a few more papers and answered a couple questions. After the caseworker copied the papers, I was directed back to the waiting room to wait in another line to receive my Massachusetts Bay Access card.
While I waited again, I just took in the scene. There was the homeless man who made a scene as he left the building. There was the single mom holding a crying baby. There was a man who smelled of alcohol at 12 p.m. and appeared to be an alcoholic. Then there was the mother trying to teach her 5-year-old son a lesson while they waited. The mother was telling her son that he should never be afraid to come and talk to her even when he's made a mistake.
I have read and heard countless stories about the tough times millions of people are experiencing across the United States, but there is nothing like seeing it and experiencing it firsthand. After nearly four hours of waiting at the DTA, I left with my card. I walked into the DTA expecting one thing and came out with an entirely different perspective. This was truly a humbling experience and made me even more appreciative and grateful for what I have and the people I am surrounded by.
I believe now more than ever that I've made the right decision for me in deciding to join AmeriCorps this year and give back to some of those who need it the most.
Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit organization based in Quincy that serves low-income and homeless children throughout the state of Massachusetts. The organization was founded in 2002 by Lynn Margherio as a means to provide children with the basic essentials they need "to be safe, warm, ready to learn and valued." There are more than 400,000 children in Massachusetts who are living in poor or low-income households. In 2007, C2C served approximately 35,000 children with donations of clothing, school supplies, books and toys. In addition to providing these children with everyday essentials, C2C strives to promote and provide an atmosphere where children and adults alike can make a difference in the lives of other children through meaningful volunteer opportunities.
Currently, C2C is partnered with about 400 social service agencies, which include shelters, health centers, public school districts, parenting programs and day care centers. Our partners fill out order forms for the families they represent and let us know what the children need. We do our best to fill the orders - "Kid Packs" (as we call them) - in our Giving Factory.
In short, we connect communities that have adequate resources at hand with those that do not. C2C collects new and gently used children's items through drives. Once the product reaches our warehouse, it is sorted by quality, size and gender. We do not package and give away any items that we would not give to our own children. The idea is to help the children we serve feel good about themselves and valued. Every child deserves to walk into a classroom with his/her head held high.
I am the North Shore Community Outreach Coordinator at C2C. During the course of my AmeriCorps year as a VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), the goal is to build organizational capacity by increasing community collections and recruiting and training community leaders. I have been assigned five target communities in the North Shore - Beverly, Lynnfield, North Andover, Topsfield and Winchester.
C2C has never focused their attention on the North Shore and it is my responsibility to spread awareness about C2C and engage communities in that region with service opportunities. Those opportunities can include a number of things:
1. Volunteering at Cradles to Crayons in The Giving Factory.
2. Holding a product drive.
3. Hosting a fundraiser.
For more information, please visit www.cradlestocrayons.org or e-mail me with any questions. Thank you!
A New Beginning, A New Adventure
I am back in Boston! When I left Rhode Island in August 2008, I had a feeling deep down that it would not be long before I returned to the east coast. I moved back home to the "Shire", IL for about four months and focused much of my time looking for the next "BIG" break. Though there were a few bites for that "BIG" break, it wasn't until mid October when Cradles to Crayons offered me an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) position as the Community Outreach Coordinator. I jumped at the chance to work for a cause greater than myself and to move back to Boston - a city I love and a place where I truly feel at home.
Why did I apply to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA?
That is the million dollar question family, friends, colleagues and strangers have been asking me the last few months. I am happy to share that story with you.
It was a warm summer night July 1, 2008 and I was heading out of the newsroom to cover a story at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport. What I didn't know when the story was assigned by the executive editor was the fact that I was going to meet a man that night with a story to tell that would forever touch me in a way that nothing else in my life ever has.
His name is Erick Omondi Okoth. He is 29 years old and is from Kenya. He is a beneficiary of Catholic Relief Services and was invited to the community center to speak about HIV/AIDS. As I interviewed Erick before the program began, I knew almost immediately that this story was going to be different from all the rest.
Erick shared with me and the rest of the attendees at the community center his family's story of how they were drastically affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. By the age of 23, all of the adults in his immediate and extended family died of of HIV/AIDS. He was left to care for 15 brothers and cousins. He was selfless and made sacrifices in order to protect and care for his family. As he spoke, I saw the pain in his eyes and I had to hold back my tears. Though the pain was evident, what was even more noticeable was the pride he had because he did what he set out to do. He provided food, shelter, education and safety for his family. In addition to caring for his family, he wanted to do even more. He serves as a community mentor in his village for the AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance project.
One of the things that struck me the most while interviewing Erick and then listening to him during the program was his incredible strength, will to survive and willingness to be so selfless and putting others first. He showed me the journal he carries with him everywhere he goes to keep him strong. The journal is filled with inspirational quotes and one of his favorites that made an impression on me was by Allan Loymc Ginnis, a Christian psychotherapist. The quote reads, “There is no more noble occupation than to assist another human being and to help someone succeed.”
Erick should serve as an example for all of us to follow. He made me want to do more. I believe that Americans don't really understand how dire the situation is in Africa unless they have directly been affected or unless they have visited and witnessed the devastation firsthand. One of the last questions I asked Erick was: What more can people in the U.S. do to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Africa? He looked at me and said that monetary donations are always appreciated, but then he looked deep into my eyes and said, "Christine, you're doing it right now." He went on to tell me that just by listening to his story, writing about it and then passing it on to others is more than he can ask for. He explained to me how powerful the written and spoken word can be.
As I drove home that night, I experienced an overflow of emotions. It's hard to put into words and explain exactly what happened that night because none of you were there with me to meet this man and hear his inspirational story. It touched me deeper than anything ever has. When I got home I had a hard time concentrating on the story because I was wrapped up in thinking about what I could do to make a difference. Before I started writing the story for the next morning's paper, I found myself online researching Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other social service agencies. I was so motivated that I even started a couple applications that very night.
I was up all night that night. I made deadline...just barely...5:30 a.m....I might have stretched it to 5:45 a.m. or even 6ish. It was definitely worth the all-nighter. I think the story turned out to be one of my best stories of the year.
I feel that as an AmeriCorps VISTA, I am doing my small part, but I know that I am only scratching the surface. Just think for a moment what the world could be like if everyone took a minute to step out of their busy lives and think about what they could do for someone else. I think this world could be a very different place if that were the case.
If you would like a copy of the complete story, please e-mail me and I would be happy to send it to you.
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