Only the beginning...

Hello!

Our final day together was Friday. And I must say, I think it was a spectacular end to the week. We began the day with a guest speaker. Her name is Bernadette Reid and she works at the Home for Little Wanderers. She was fantastic. I think she really opened the group's eyes to realize how many children are struggling right here in Massachusetts. You don't have to travel to a third world country to work with children who may have been in horrible living situations. Children suffer from domestic violence, neglect and sexual exploitation right here in the U.S. It's a frightening thought but it's a reality. I think the group really enjoyed listening to her. We applauded her at the end and she said we were the ones who deserve the applause since we've been volunteering. But her job and our job goes hand in hand. We need more and more people to join forces to solve social issues. So whether it's your full time job or you're volunteering, every little bit helps.

We headed to South Boston for our last day with thee kiddos! We cleaned the first floor of BGCB to help them prepare for the road race. We wiped down tables and chairs and cleaned the windows. The kids finally arrived and were full of energy. There was a dance planned at BGCB that evening so the kids were very excited. I have so much respect for all of the staff members at the Boys and Girls Club. They work so hard to make sure those kids (about 300 of them) have a safe and happy place to go after school. The Boys and Girls Club is truly a community and I know it has taken the hard work and dedication to make it that way. Although it was tough to leave after being there for a week, I am so happy that we had the chance to be a part of this community. We were welcomed with open arms and were made to feel that we had helped to make a difference.

I am so proud of the Boston group. Not only did we help the Boys and Girls Club, we formed a bond with each other that we'll carry long after spring break. I met 11 wonderful women this week. I hold them in the highest regard and am so happy I have learned so much about them. We learned that we are all different in many ways, but our commonalities are what brought us together.

We helped the Boys and Girls Club this week but they, in turn, helped us. I couldn't have asked for a better week with a more wonderful group of people.

Sarah

Day four!

Hello!

We've almost reached the end of our week-long journey. And I have to say I think we've had a pretty great week! We started off the day with a reflection on what we've been doing and how our help can have a direct impact on the kids we're working with. Ed Burns, an Emerson graduate student, came to listen to our discussion. He's writing an article about students who volunteer. I'm happy he was able to come and ask questions. I told him to check out our blogs for more help!

We headed over to the Boys and Girls Club to help out some more with their big road race event that's taking place on Saturday. We painted more signs and left fliers at the houses around the club to inform people about the race. I really hope it's a success! It's too bad we won't be here to see it, but I think we've been able to help them out a lot with the setup.

We spent the afternoon with more kiddos! I think we've each found our little area we're comfortable with. Some like art, some enjoy tutoring, I personally like the games room. I think all of us have gotten to know many of the kids which is so important. I wish we could stay for more than a week. So many of the children just want attention and there isn't a large enough staff to pay full attention to all of them. But I am happy we've at least been able to spend a week with the kids and made a connection with many of them. I hope they one day realize how much we enjoy being there and how important they are to us.

Tomorrow is our last day at BGCB. I think we'll all be sad to see it end but happy to have had such a wonderful week!!

-Sarah

More cute kids on day three!

Hi, everyone!

Today was another great day in Boston! We began with an interesting reflection on the School to Prison Pipeline theory. We watched a movie about the issue, read an article and discussed how important it is to raise awareness about the troubles many teens are experiencing in their schools. We discussed the importance of our roles as advocates and volunteers. Then Ashley lead an exercise to show how the careers we want should tie in with the issues we feel strongly about. We can make such a difference through so many outlets. There are so many talented and wonderful people on these trips. Each person can contribute so much to our society through all of the wonderful things they do. I am so optimistic that this group will continue to do great things!

We ate lunch (donated by Boloco!) and trekked to South Boston. Today we got to paint signs for the upcoming road race. It was tons of fun and we got in touch with the ten year old in all of us! Everyone made fun of my black and red poster. They said it looked evil. I thought it looked powerful. haha!

We played with the kids all afternoon. They're becoming so comfortable with all of us. Most of them really like having us there. Today one of the kids asked me if we were friends. Of course, I said yes! I asked him if he wanted to be my friend. And I was so happy to hear a yes. We're making great progress!

Two more days of fun with energetic, wonderful people!

Until next time,
Sarah

Day two!

Hello again, wonderful people!

Well, day two was wonderful!!! We did a lot of hard work, got a lot accomplished and had a great time! The day began with a reflection of Monday's work. Everyone in the group agreed that working with the kids is fun and rewarding. But although it's fun, it isn't easy work. One ASBer said "I'm having a lot of fun and I'm rediscovering my passion for teaching/helping children. I'm also realizing how tiring children are, and I definitely needed a nap after the long day!" I think most of us would concur. The kids seem to have non stop energy. It's a really positive atmosphere to be in but it takes a lot out of you.

After our reflections we were lucky enough to have three speakers come from One Family Inc. One Family is a not-for-profit organization devoted to ending family homelessness in Massachusetts. It is dedicated to helping single mothers get an education so they are able to provide a sustainable lifestyle for their children. Two of the women who spoke are One Family employees and one is a One Family Scholar. Shanrita is the scholar. She told us her story and explained what One Family has done to help her. One Family beleives homelessness is directly connected to education and they instill this belief in their clients. The women were so wonderful to be willing to come and speak to our group. I really think everyone in the group got so much out of the speakers. I think seeing and speaking to people who know more about these issues or may actually live with them is so important.

We ate a little lunch and headed back to the Boys and Girls Club where we spent the first hour and a half cleaning the outside of the bulding. We picked up trash (including a dead bird, and entire raw chickenm, and tons of other garbage), raked, shoveled. You name it, we picked it up. I was appalled by the amount of trash I saw. The Boys and Girls Club is having a road race this weekend. It's to support the organization. We accomplished a lot and were able to make it look significantly nicer. But there was still so much more to be done. Luckily, other volunteers are coming this week to specifically work on road race clean-up. But we helped them get a head start!

The kids began to arrive so we split up into stations. It was much busier today so I felt that I got more accomplished. I dominated in Foosball with the 2nd and 3rd graders. They all wanted to be on my team. haha! We had girls in the tutoring rooms, arts and crafts and games. Everyone seemed to have a productive day, which is so great!

As we were leaving, we felt a tad bit of defeatment. Part of the area that we had just cleaned had, in a matter of hours, once again been littered. I was very discouraged to see this and I think others were as well. I wasn't really angry but more so confused as to why kids would disrespect their own place. The Boys and Girls Club wouldn't be anything without them so the building really does feel like it's theirs. So I was sad to see how easily they just throw trash on the ground as if it's no big deal. I'm hoping we can clean more tomorrow and make sure trash cans are available so we can prevent the problem.

After a long day we were all pretty hungry. Some people had to head home but ten of us stuck together and had dinner in Harvard Square. Dinner was delicious!!

Overall, I would say the day was great! I'm hoping for another stellar day tomorrow and some more fantabulous days this week!! Our group is really beginning to bond and I'm loving it! This is truly a great group and I'm so proud of the work everyone is doing!

Until tomorrow!
Sarah

First Day!!

Hello!!

Well, I would catalog our first day as a success! And I think most of the Boston members would agree! We started off with a morning reflection, which I think was very beneficial. We discussed the importance of early childhood education while nibbling on blueberry corn muffins. Meeting in the Cultural Center is lovely! We then ate pizza, graciously donated by NYP, and headed off to South Boston. We had discussed some of our fears, worries and excited feelings. We also all had to say why we chose to be a part of ASB. I was so happy to hear that everyone genuinely wanted to be a part of this trip and were really enthusiastic about it. We were ready to serve!

We arrived at the wonderful Boys and Girls Club and were given a lovely tour. The facility is huge and extremely welcoming and kid friendly. For about an hour we split into two groups and cleaned up some of the areas throughout the building. We accomplished quite a bit, which I felt good about. Some of us sorted through a mess of board game pieces, leggos, books and other odds and ends. It felt good to accomplish something right on the spot.

Then came the true test...the kids! The kids begin arriving at around 2:45 and the chaos begins. Groups of two were assigned to various stations around the buliding. I was placed in the game room with Caitlin Boroden. We had a great time playing with the kids. Some of us helped tutor kids, some of us worked in arts and crafts, some went to the computer labs. And we all had a great time! There were no real negative complaints! The staff said the number of children there today was low so hopefully we'll be able to help even more kids tomorrow!

I'm so happy day one went well and I'm excited for day two!!!

Sarah