I have so many experiences where I think- 'I have to blog about this!'. Unfortunately, all of these incredible experiences make me awfully busy. I will try my best to keep everything short and sweet.
As you know, I'm working with people who are homeless or near homeless. They frequently qualify for benefits such as food stamps and state insurance. Although I am not the one who gives out these benefits, I am trained along with other staff members at the health center to determine if the person will be eligible. However, as an AmeriCorps member I see the other side because as AmeriCorps members, we also qualify for food stamps. This process has been absolutely awful! One does not recognize how absolutely frustrating the situation can be until they are forced to be in it. So, because the Dept. of Social Services here in Middletown (where I live), is only open for walk-ins from 8am-11am, I had to mail in my application. Two weeks later, I get a call from my case worker. He talks extremely fast, and I can hardly keep up with what he is saying (I can't imagine how a non-native English speaker feels!). Then, he proceeds to tell me that he needs a signed form from my roommates saying that we all buy and eat food separately (which neither of my roommates had to have signed) and that he needs a note from my previous employer in St. Paul, MN! saying that I no longer work there! So, I scramble up this information and mail it in to him as soon as possible. Finally, 1 month after I mailed in my application, and two weeks after my roommates have their cards, my card finally arrives in the mail! But no sooner do I receive my card, and call to set up my pin number, that I learn that they entered my social security number wrong! Luckily, I am able to go in to work late the following day. So, I go in to the office, wait in line for an hour, and finally, finally, get things straightened out.
As I am not supporting a family, and I understand how many hundreds of cases the case worker deals with each month, I tried to patiently wait. However, I can only imagine the absolute frustrations of the people who apply for benefits and the lengthy, frustrating process. Another thing that I feel a bit weary about is what I buy with my food stamps. Today, you don't actually use food 'stamps' to buy food, we have a debit card that looks like any other credit card. I do consider myself to be an extremely healthy eater; most of the food I purchase is WIC approved. However, I still can't help but wonder if the person behind me is judging that I'm purchasing spices or organic tomatoes in the same manner that I used to judge others. I have been thoughtfully appreciating this new pair of 'shoes' that I've been wearing as an AmeriCorps member.
On a more pleasant note, my weekend was spent with four other AmeriCorps members in Boston. We were lucky and able to travel with a light budget for many reasons. Saturday morning we rose at 5am to travel two hours away (gas compliments of the health center) to Boston where we performed a Recess Rocks dance at a Stevesongs concert. Mr. Steve is a children's musician from PBS who wrote a song for the health center's program. It was a hilarious and fun morning with the kids as we encouraged them to get up out of their seats and dance along in the aisles with us. From there we drove the 5 minutes into Boston where we parked and walked around the city. It was a beautiful, warm fall afternoon and we were able to walk through the Public Garden, the Commons, Newbury Street, and more. At night we drove 40 minutes to Nicole's (an AmeriCorps member) parents house. I was thankful to enjoy an actual box spring and mattress for the first time in 2 months (I have been getting used to sleeping on a futon). In the morning we traveled to Salem, MA where we spent a few hours walking around and through museums. I was a bit surprised that the town was more so about Halloween than the history of the witch trials, but it was educational and entertaining, and I'm glad to be able to say I went there.
My job at the health center has also been going well. The AmeriCorps members and I have been busy outside of our regular programs organizing service projects. One of the projects we did recently was the food drive, where we raised over 375 lbs of food! The picture is of Nicole and some of the food at the food pantry. One of our next exciting projects will take place at an elementary school where we'll be painting murals on the playground. My supervisor and co-workers are amazing, and I have been learning the ropes of outreach. I will be sure to write soon about some of the unique, heartbreaking and heartwarming experiences I have had so far!
