Picking up where I left off last blog, Tallahasse, FL was tons of fun. I posted a couple pictures from our environmental boat tour on facebook if you care to check them out. Meghan and I came back to our Camp Hope establishment on that Monday (considering of course we had the day off being that Habitat works tuesday-saturday) and went around spreading our happiness of the trip to everyone that stepped in our path. All week consisted of more roofing work. We focused clearly on shingling, putting on the drip edge, and decking of the roofs. They filtered in a couple volunteers throughout the week which was nice because all of them were very productive and eager to work. It was a church group this week from Indiana and Springfield, IL. Later in the week our team got together and watched When the Levees Broke, an informational movie about the destruction of Katrina. It really was intense to actually see the pain and suffering the city went through. Several victims were interviewed and for me it was really eye-popping to see the difference between what the media shows on the different news channels compared to being there in the heat of things. We got more volunteers on Saturday of this week which happened to be sponsored by Target. They were a group of males and females that were guidance counselors gathered down in New Orleans for a conference. The perks from them were: they were also super nice AND we got some free Target items from their goodie bags they didn't want. Definately a double positive! All in all, this week was full of excitement and hard work, not to mention the days beginning to get warmer and warmer. Humidity down in the Gulf is unbearably uncomfortable, but we learned to be flexible (as our Raven 3's new quote is..."we are flexible from the 'f' to the second 'e'").
The next week was a continuation of great times. The weekend was full of ISP's and working in the Camp Hope kitchen serving dinner to the volunteers. Similar to last week, there was a bunch of decking, sub fatia, drip edging, putting on the ridge vent and basically touching up all the houses on Louisa, Desire, and Piety. I had a blast being up on the roof this week as well because it gives great satisfaction to see how much you can accomplish in one day. My roofing team was able in the end to re-build 8 decks by the time we left. More volunteers on our work site came to help. Them too were a huge support and that is why we were able to accomplish a lot. I love learning the construction terms and picking up new techniques from day to day.
Last week of work/birthday week is our next stop. It was sad to know that our time in New Orleans was near over. During the week we were decking 9 hour days, running volunteers, and even helped a fellow New Orleans woman and her family apply for a new house. Miss Margaret has been living in a FEMA trailer since the hurricane. She is a really nice and amazing person. We worked on the street where she lost everything, including the houses her family members were in. What Margaret did for all of us AmeriCorps NCCC people and volunteers was opened up her trailer to supply us with water and cool off in the air conditioner. No matter if you knew her or if you were a complete stranger, she accepted everyone. The deal with her FEMA home was that they were going to take it away from her at the end of 2008. So to say thank you for all the things she did for us, several of us NCCC teamed up and put together an application, a video, and a wrote paragraphs to Extreme Makeover Home Edition in efforts to getting her a house along with the other 4 family members that are living with her. I am praying that she gets one...you should all have the chance to meet this wonderful woman. Around Tuesday of the week, CBS New Orleans news came to the Upper 9th where we were working and did a news story about NCCC and about her. I got interviewed by the report, but didn't make the editing cut. Although, I am shown in the news article. If you would like to check it out the link is...
http://www.wwltv.com/video
We ended up on that Thursday going to see a minor league baseball with the Habitat staff which was a lot of fun. Live baseball is so much fun. It was on the eve of my 23rd birthday and we all decided to be dropped off downtown New Orleans for one last hang out before we drove back to Perry Point. On Friday, we went to work and roof (our last day of the SPIKE) and it began to rain in spurts. It was disappointing, but we still made the day fun. Came back later in the day and got ready for a BBQ that was put on by our sponsor. We all gathered at the St. Bernard Park and cooked, grilled, and chowed down a delicious meal together. A great way to celebrate a birthday for sure. My team surprised me with a birthday cake that night and I actually got to cut the cake with not your typical butter/serrated knife, but instead sticking with the construction theme, I got a reciprocating saw and sliced it! Very creative AND good times. I have pictures to prove :) Anyways, the last week of work was very rewarding but yet it was sad to be leaving. I get the luxary of coming back to NOLA for Summer of Service. During this week also our Raven 3 team performed some Service Learning and went to Mardi Gras World where we got the chance to see what kind of floats and characters are made for the Mardi Gras parades. Very fun and interesting. Pictures are posted on facebook!
What a great 2nd Round project indeed! The Raven 3 squad had a great time. We found out where our 3rd Round project was goign to be and that is Washington DC doing summer camps for inner city children for 6 weeks and then for the remaining 2 going to Delaware State Park for environmental work. Currently there will be 3 people missing from the team next round. One includes myself, Stan (also Summer of Service but is in the running to be a Team Leader in the Badger Unit), and Zac (who will be going on fire composite team). That leaves the team number down to 6. Teammate Bill got called for disaster in Iowa with all the flooding. It is devastating to see the destruction of the floods.
Now...finally onto this past week! What an exciting time being back in Perry Point and seeing everyone again. Tons of people to talk and catch up with and friends you haven't seen in 7 weeks! Ok so here we go...
SUNDAY
- this was a travel day and we traveled from Knoxville, TN to Perry Point that literally took 13 hours. The trip should have been quicker, but with several stops and visits made the adventure longer
- returned back into new houses with new roommates, now I am on 3rd street instead of 2nd with one of my old housemates and close friends as well as 3 other really nice guys; I get my own room which is nice and peaceful
- went to sleep early getting prepared for a busy SOS training week that begins Monday
MONDAY
- SOS training begins in the morning and they told us a run down of the program and did various activities
- everyone on the staff is super cool and easy to work with, I am excited because there is not one person who is a "debbie downer"
- right from the start we got along, I had the advantage of knowing 25 of the 30 crew leaders before just from being socialable to them during our CTI training back in Feb.
- found out that CL's will be working roughly 90-100 work weeks! Geez...Dad that is longer than your 75 hour work weeks :)
TUESDAY
- more SOS training today for the whole day, while my other Raven 3 team was preparing for their debrief from the 2nd round project
- we had a presenter come in and talk about Common Ground and how to handle tensions within a team and other important tools to know in handling children 14-17.
- we all loved the man and recommend him for other events
- we found out what Unit we are in, I am in the Jazz unit
- more and more teams start to filter into the Village in Perry Point
WEDNESDAY
- Day 3 of SOS training was yet again a great time, slowly learning everyone's name and getting to know them personally since we will be stuck together for the next 5 weeks
- today's focus was on scenarios and how to deal with problems that may occur
- itching to find out who the other co-crew leaders we will be working with
THURSDAY
- the staff finally finds out who we will be working with, I am put with Bre (a previous friend of mine since February) and Will Wong. Will is really nice and super motivated, Bre is also ready for this so I am ready to see how solid the squad will be. Jazz 2!
- another presenter came in to talk about supervisory skills, it was alright...nothing too exciting but there was a lot of information given
- later in the day I had a CAPping meeting that basically was a catch-up and check-in on how the previous round went
- played some wicked softball later that night which made me super stoked since I miss baseball!
FRIDAY
- last day of SOS training was today and we also did 1 on 1 scenarios given by Team Green in efforts to make us feel more comfortable with handling adversity and the adolescents
In conclusion, SOS training was super fun and I can't wait to see what else is in store later down the line. We will be staying with the kids in dorms at Dillard University. I am ready...bring on the next challenge! As you can see it has been a hectic last month, but let me assure you that I will try to give weekly updates on how the SOS program is going. In itself, I think that it will be enjoyable and for sure rewarding.
Thank you for taking the time to read this MONSTROUS blog about my AmeriCorps in the past month. Looking forward to writing very soon with more great news and stories to share!
PS. Congratulations to our next door neighbors, Cheryl and Bob for their new baby on June 18th!
PSS. Happy belated Father's Day AND Happy 83rd Birthday Papoo!
PSSS. GO CUBS! Keep on winning :) Seeing them win surely keeps me motivated!
