We showed up early to sign in and orient ourselves. There were a lot of volunteers helping out and that isn't counting all the folks who had been gathering food donations all week long and cooking the food on Sunday morning. There was a tourist couple from NYC who registered as volunteers through Hands on Portland, with the intention of participating in the place they were visiting. Brilliant!! Once again, I was really impressed by the number of kids that were volunteering that day. My own world as a young person was so self indulgent, I can't begin to imagine the effect it would have had on me to offer my time in support of another human being. Once I started serving food, it was a whirlwind of activity peppered with moments that made me laugh and moments that slammed into my face the reality of poverty and homelessness in this country. It is only recently that I am beginning to experience relationship with another person across class lines. I am realizing that I have come to rely too heavily on my assumptions of another person based on how they look, making me lazy and likely to dismiss. Assumptions have stunted the curiosity that leads me to want to hear another person's story. It feels like a tool I misused and neglected. I've also become aware of how much censoring takes place in the formalities of my day to day life. Time spent around people experiencing homelessness has been filled with personal questions, outbursts of anger, exclamations of joy, contained quiet, random acts and a huge spectrum of personal space boundaries. Its dynamic, it feels like vibrant complicated life.
You've inspired me to spend some time volunteering at various schools throughout the city! Next week I'm going to (jocie's college friend) Susannah's classroom to help out in the classroom for a day and then chaperon for a field trip the following day. From what I hear, she has some of the roughest population in Brooklyn. Who knows where else my volunteer work will take me... Thanks for paving the way of the "dog'gone dogooders".
ReplyDeleteOh that's such a great idea Col. Its a great way to get experience and have a face that people start to recognize. I get so much out of volunteering. I've been learning so much about food security I can't believe its only been a month. Let me know how it goes....
ReplyDeleteThrough my j-o-b, i am helping organize the Project Homeless Connect for Washington County. Over the last 2 years I too have been broadened by my interactions with seeing how poverty and classism are rampant -- and my role and misperceptions therein.
ReplyDeleteI personally am spearheading the efforts to provide food all day long. Procuring donations and helping coordinate that whole thing. Any and all folks who are interested in volunteering to help with are welcome! Last year we fed 444 people. 888 meals (lunch & dinner) this year we expect at least 200 more folks (probably more) because portland is no longer funding a project homeless connect event.
http://visionactionnetwork.org/content/view/36/88/
If people feel inspired to volunteer, get in touch. <3
--charlac@gmail.com
Kris, what a beautiful entry and great blog! You´re a terrific writer and I especially enjoy your honest reflections. I linked your blog to mine and can´t wait to check back in and read more! much love to you--my brave, beautiful friend!!
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