Showing posts with label calgary volunteerism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calgary volunteerism. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!
It's Volunteer Appreciation Week! Join with us as we recognize and thank our volunteers across the organization through this blog! Leave them some comments and let them know how far their dedication goes!
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Relationship Resolutions
Happy New Year from the Employment Centre! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that the start to 2012 has brought fresh perspective and hope for positive change!
When I reflect on positive change in my own life, I am often first drawn to my interactions with others: how am I cherishing and investing in my existing relationships and preparing myself for new ones? Am I consciously making myself available to impact others and help them grow?
Whatever involvement you have with The Mustard Seed, if any, I challenge you to consider these questions. You may find that you’re prepared to reinvest some of that balance you’ve had saved in your relationship bank account. Even if it’s a small amount, the returns will be higher than you can imagine, as so many of the people we serve are in need of that investment, and there are so many ways to make that happen.
The Employment Centre offers a few of these opportunities. If you have a career, a few free hours a week, some computer skills, a voice in the business community, or really any of the above, I encourage you to couple that with your desire to help others and consider volunteering in this area.
One group of volunteers we have are those who help with job searching, résumés and interview skills. They meet with clients at our Centre Street location during the day or in the evening to work on these tangible tasks, but also to build relationships as they discuss goals and issues as they relate to achieving sustainable employment. We have great volunteers in place doing this now, but can always use more.
If you have an abundance of relationships, but more of which are found in the business community, those can also be helpful to our clients seeking to secure work. We have several inspirational “Volunteer Ambassadors” who are currently using their private-sector employer connections to spread the word about our program in their daily lives. There is a great message to spread about what’s happening here, but it takes relationships to disseminate it.
Our newest concept is a really exciting one. All of our clients have Employment Coaches, but support and mentorship beyond that can be truly invaluable. We’re looking for people to use their own employment experience as a way connect with someone who is seeking advice and encouragement as they pursue stable work. We will try to match clients with volunteers who share an interest in similar fields of work, but ultimately, real change and success will come from building a caring relationship.
If you would like to discuss any of these opportunities, please give us a call. And for the rest of you: what are your “relationship resolutions” for this year? Leave your comments below!
When I reflect on positive change in my own life, I am often first drawn to my interactions with others: how am I cherishing and investing in my existing relationships and preparing myself for new ones? Am I consciously making myself available to impact others and help them grow?
Whatever involvement you have with The Mustard Seed, if any, I challenge you to consider these questions. You may find that you’re prepared to reinvest some of that balance you’ve had saved in your relationship bank account. Even if it’s a small amount, the returns will be higher than you can imagine, as so many of the people we serve are in need of that investment, and there are so many ways to make that happen.
The Employment Centre offers a few of these opportunities. If you have a career, a few free hours a week, some computer skills, a voice in the business community, or really any of the above, I encourage you to couple that with your desire to help others and consider volunteering in this area.
One group of volunteers we have are those who help with job searching, résumés and interview skills. They meet with clients at our Centre Street location during the day or in the evening to work on these tangible tasks, but also to build relationships as they discuss goals and issues as they relate to achieving sustainable employment. We have great volunteers in place doing this now, but can always use more.
If you have an abundance of relationships, but more of which are found in the business community, those can also be helpful to our clients seeking to secure work. We have several inspirational “Volunteer Ambassadors” who are currently using their private-sector employer connections to spread the word about our program in their daily lives. There is a great message to spread about what’s happening here, but it takes relationships to disseminate it.
Our newest concept is a really exciting one. All of our clients have Employment Coaches, but support and mentorship beyond that can be truly invaluable. We’re looking for people to use their own employment experience as a way connect with someone who is seeking advice and encouragement as they pursue stable work. We will try to match clients with volunteers who share an interest in similar fields of work, but ultimately, real change and success will come from building a caring relationship.
If you would like to discuss any of these opportunities, please give us a call. And for the rest of you: what are your “relationship resolutions” for this year? Leave your comments below!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Christmas List of Love
Hi, I'm Trudi and I'm posting on the blog for my first time! I receive and sort donations at The Mustard Seed Calgary's Resource Sorting Centre. As Christmas draws closer I go over my list of the "to dos" and the "yet to gets", and I'm finding it impossible to concentrate. My thoughts keep running off course, traveling back to a time last season when a client asked me for help with her own Christmas list. She knocked quietly on the door to the donation room where we (before we moved) sorted clothing and hygiene. Her eyes, weary and desperate, told her story before she spoke a word. She was going home for Christmas this year, out of province, and wanted more than anything to bring gifts for her children and grandchildren.
She had no money but offered to give us a hand during our busiest time of the year if we could possibly help her out. I wasn't really sure if we would receive anything suitable for her loved ones, however I answered without hesitation. "Yes, for sure, we would love to help you." This was truly a joyous moment. It's what you could call a stepping stone leading to a life God intended. This woman was a hard core drug addict and could have chosen a less dignified or less honest way of getting the gifts she needed; instead she reached out to The Mustard Seed in a sober state of mind, asking for help with what we all want: to spend quality time with our families during the holidays.
Over the next week or so we all worked incredibly hard, but not once during the whirl-wind of activity did we ever lose focus or forget about the special request. The other volunteers and I kept a careful watch for donated items that we felt might make great presents. We felt that, piece by piece this list would surely come together by the time she had to leave. This was a task of love that took top priority in our little sorting room and it was important that we helped fill this woman's request. Well, I'm happy to say we found all the right presents thanks to the generosity of our donors! Our client was truly grateful, as were we for her. On her last day with us she thanked everyone, and we embraced one another wholeheartedly with gratitude. At that moment that we had found everything for her, I felt a true sense of hope for this woman and I believe she felt it too. This will be a Christmas I will never forget. She might not have known this, but she gave us a gift as well -, she gave us the spirit of Christmas.
She had no money but offered to give us a hand during our busiest time of the year if we could possibly help her out. I wasn't really sure if we would receive anything suitable for her loved ones, however I answered without hesitation. "Yes, for sure, we would love to help you." This was truly a joyous moment. It's what you could call a stepping stone leading to a life God intended. This woman was a hard core drug addict and could have chosen a less dignified or less honest way of getting the gifts she needed; instead she reached out to The Mustard Seed in a sober state of mind, asking for help with what we all want: to spend quality time with our families during the holidays.
Over the next week or so we all worked incredibly hard, but not once during the whirl-wind of activity did we ever lose focus or forget about the special request. The other volunteers and I kept a careful watch for donated items that we felt might make great presents. We felt that, piece by piece this list would surely come together by the time she had to leave. This was a task of love that took top priority in our little sorting room and it was important that we helped fill this woman's request. Well, I'm happy to say we found all the right presents thanks to the generosity of our donors! Our client was truly grateful, as were we for her. On her last day with us she thanked everyone, and we embraced one another wholeheartedly with gratitude. At that moment that we had found everything for her, I felt a true sense of hope for this woman and I believe she felt it too. This will be a Christmas I will never forget. She might not have known this, but she gave us a gift as well -, she gave us the spirit of Christmas.
Friday, December 02, 2011
The Day it All Changed
Hi, I'm Karina, I'm the Executive Assistant to Jeff Dyer, our COO here at The Mustard Seed. Visiting Heritage Park drastically changed my perspective. No, not of how much more modern our society is today compared to the past, but of people experiencing homelessness. Last year I had the opportunity of visiting Heritage Park in December with 8 of our clients and a few other volunteers. We all loaded into the 15 passenger van and, when we arrived at the park, seemed to naturally split off into a few small tour groups. My group included Carissa*, John* and Silvia*, along with another volunteer.
I admit, before going on this outing, and before joining The Mustard Seed, I was scared of homeless people I’d see on the streets. I made the generalization that they ALL were dirty, did drugs or drank non-stop, didn’t have thoughts or feelings and enjoyed begging for change. In short, I de-humanized them in my mind.
As we wandered through the park, I was able to talk with several of the other group members, and got to hear their perspectives and feelings about various things. Carissa, in particular, shared with me throughout the afternoon about her struggles with mental illness, but how she’s doing much better and how her relationship with God is her source of strength. After a few of such conversations, it hit me: each person experiencing homelessness has a unique story & struggles, and at the end of the day is just a human being like me. There’s nothing to be afraid of. This seems like such a small shift in thinking now, but at that time, it was a big step.
Since that day, I’ve made it a priority to connect with the people we serve, and often the small conversations we have at lunch are a highlight of my day. I’d encourage you to reach out and simply talk with someone you have a certain notion about or otherwise wouldn’t. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a person experiencing homelessness, but could be that seemingly unapproachable neighbour or the quiet immigrant. It just may change your perspective and generalizations, something that if we all did more often would lead to increased mutual understanding and ultimately societal change.
- Karina
I admit, before going on this outing, and before joining The Mustard Seed, I was scared of homeless people I’d see on the streets. I made the generalization that they ALL were dirty, did drugs or drank non-stop, didn’t have thoughts or feelings and enjoyed begging for change. In short, I de-humanized them in my mind.
As we wandered through the park, I was able to talk with several of the other group members, and got to hear their perspectives and feelings about various things. Carissa, in particular, shared with me throughout the afternoon about her struggles with mental illness, but how she’s doing much better and how her relationship with God is her source of strength. After a few of such conversations, it hit me: each person experiencing homelessness has a unique story & struggles, and at the end of the day is just a human being like me. There’s nothing to be afraid of. This seems like such a small shift in thinking now, but at that time, it was a big step.
Since that day, I’ve made it a priority to connect with the people we serve, and often the small conversations we have at lunch are a highlight of my day. I’d encourage you to reach out and simply talk with someone you have a certain notion about or otherwise wouldn’t. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a person experiencing homelessness, but could be that seemingly unapproachable neighbour or the quiet immigrant. It just may change your perspective and generalizations, something that if we all did more often would lead to increased mutual understanding and ultimately societal change.
- Karina
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Children Who Lead Us All
It was a cold and blowy day on Street Level two weeks ago. There was a knock on the doors and the wind blew in a little boy and his dad. The little boy announced “my name is Billy and I am 7” and proudly held up 7 fingers. Billy then explained, “Yesterday was my 7th birthday. Instead of presents for me I asked all my friends to bring a gift for the Mustard Seed.” Billy then handed over $80 in $5 dollar bills and a bundle of Tim Horton’s gift cards. Last week a little boy and his parents came for a tour, and he too brought gifts for the Mustard Seed, which he had asked for instead of gifts for himself for his birthday. On Friday I did a tour for a mom and her two children, who had the afternoon off from school. The kids each explained that they had their own rooms at home and were shocked when I told them that the people who sleep in our shelter have 369 roommates in their bedroom!
The Bible says, in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Often it is easy to become bitter or negative or doubtful of the good of mankind as we watch the news or read the paper or see some of the things that go on around us. But it is important, no it is critical, that we remember that there is so much good, so much kindness and such commitment on the parts of many parents to ensure that their children truly understand not only how blessed they are but how important it is to take responsibility for our communities as a whole. This is where change begins, in the innocent and non-judgmental heart of a child who will truly lead us all.
The Bible says, in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Often it is easy to become bitter or negative or doubtful of the good of mankind as we watch the news or read the paper or see some of the things that go on around us. But it is important, no it is critical, that we remember that there is so much good, so much kindness and such commitment on the parts of many parents to ensure that their children truly understand not only how blessed they are but how important it is to take responsibility for our communities as a whole. This is where change begins, in the innocent and non-judgmental heart of a child who will truly lead us all.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Real People
"I want to stay because people here care about me" muttered Laura (not her real name) as she sat sobbing on the bench in the lobby. My co-worker, Joel, and I attempted to ease the pain of the reality that she would not be able to stay at our shelter any longer, due to various medical issues that we were unable to accommodate - not the least of which was her passing out mid-sentence and nearly falling to the floor on a number of occasions. This may sound strange that someone in this state would "want" to stay at an emergency homeless shelter, but it is not an uncommon desire among many of the guests that utilize The Mustard Seed's services.
My name is Jordan, and I work frontline at The Mustard Seed Shelter in Calgary. For someone like Laura, an elderly individual who had been on the streets for a number of years, slipping through the cracks, and being cycled through the system, living off of a very small monthly cheque from the government and picking bottles for a living, it is very easy to feel alone. Couple this with her mild personality and small figure and it made her somewhat forgettable. With her failing body, being on over two dozen prescription medications, and her deteriorating mental health in a battle to overcome severe depression, her situation was very bleak. And as I sat there and witnessed the anguish in her face, while trying to fight my own tears of sorrow, I had once again been reminded of the humanity and unsurpassable worth of the person sitting in front of me. This lady was not a statistic, or a number, or my "work", she was, is, a real person, who has real pain, just like me.
I no longer appreciate the term "homeless people/person", when you use the word homeless as a title to describe someone, you are attaching a very painful and traumatic experience to their identity, creating a cultural divide of "us and them". The reality is that these are valuable, legitimate members of society who are experiencing homelessness. Yes, many of them have made decisions that have born negative consequences and may very well have put them in the place they are in, but to strip someone of value and worth because of their social standing, or even because of the wrong decisions they have made, is a travesty, and it is often only a reflection of how insignificant we ourselves feel. So I have decided because of Laura and others like her, I will know longer work to serve the 'homeless' but rather, I will serve real people who do not have a home. Semantics? Maybe. But also something to think about.
Jordan T. Swaim
Overnight Support Worker
My name is Jordan, and I work frontline at The Mustard Seed Shelter in Calgary. For someone like Laura, an elderly individual who had been on the streets for a number of years, slipping through the cracks, and being cycled through the system, living off of a very small monthly cheque from the government and picking bottles for a living, it is very easy to feel alone. Couple this with her mild personality and small figure and it made her somewhat forgettable. With her failing body, being on over two dozen prescription medications, and her deteriorating mental health in a battle to overcome severe depression, her situation was very bleak. And as I sat there and witnessed the anguish in her face, while trying to fight my own tears of sorrow, I had once again been reminded of the humanity and unsurpassable worth of the person sitting in front of me. This lady was not a statistic, or a number, or my "work", she was, is, a real person, who has real pain, just like me.
I no longer appreciate the term "homeless people/person", when you use the word homeless as a title to describe someone, you are attaching a very painful and traumatic experience to their identity, creating a cultural divide of "us and them". The reality is that these are valuable, legitimate members of society who are experiencing homelessness. Yes, many of them have made decisions that have born negative consequences and may very well have put them in the place they are in, but to strip someone of value and worth because of their social standing, or even because of the wrong decisions they have made, is a travesty, and it is often only a reflection of how insignificant we ourselves feel. So I have decided because of Laura and others like her, I will know longer work to serve the 'homeless' but rather, I will serve real people who do not have a home. Semantics? Maybe. But also something to think about.
Jordan T. Swaim
Overnight Support Worker
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