Let's Get to Work!

On Sunday night, I learned which students would be in my work crew for the week along and which work sites we would get to visit. 

My work crew was assigned to work the same two places every day.

(Each group was named after BBQ restaurants. We didn't go to Rosedale BBQ, but I bet it is yummy!)

Morning Worksite: The Upper Room

What Is It?: The Upper Room is an organization that provides out-of-school education programs to low income families in urban Kansas City. In the summer, reading programs are offered all over the city. Less than half of the students in Kansas City graduation from high school. This free program helps students catch up and become ready for their next year in school. Many of our work groups visited an Upper Room location this week. 
What Did You Do?: We assisted the teachers by listening to students read, helping them complete worksheets, and playing with them/talking to them during the break time. 
Reflection: Based on my experiences, this sort of volunteering always has a slow start. On the first day, my work group tried to figure out what there role was depending on the classroom they were in. We all had rough moments at the site in terms of feeling needed and understanding our role, but by the end the Upper Room kids loved our group and relationships were forming! Our group was exposed to life very different from our own. And they realized that they were making a difference in the lives of these young readers. Our students were excited to share when a reader they worked with did well on their comprehension tests. Seeing their pride warmed my heart. What great work these high schoolers achieved! 

I guess I've taking the ability to read and learning to read for granted my whole life. I always remember having books in my room and my parents reading to me before bed. (Thanks mom and dad!) I never struggled with it in school and my siblings are great readers too. I hope that our time at the Upper Room helped the youth start to gain confidence in reading. I hope they improve their reading ability this summer. I hope they go on to graduate high school and follow their dreams.

Afternoon Worksite: Della Lamb

What Is It?: Della Lamb is an organization and Charter School that provides services to the Kansas City immigrant population. (I can't even describe all they do here. Check out their website. Seriously.)
What Did You Do?: 
       Monday: Worked in the school building moving things - they are in the midst of a renovation 
       Tuesday and Wednesday: Worked with kids at the day care and prepped/painted three apartments for immigrant families moving in on Friday

Painting break!

       Thursday: Sorted donations and organized the donation room

Moving Boxes

Sorting!

My work crew! Yay Rosedale!

Finished product! (FYI There was no space to walk in before!)

Reflection: Most of the work we did at Della Lamb was behind the scenes, but we all learned so much about Della Lamb (named after the women that started it) and their services. I did not expect to serve the immigrant/refugee population of Kansas City mostly because I didn't know they had much of a immigrant/refugee population. 

Since I returned from the trip, I've been thinking what it would be like to be a refugee in the U.S. I wouldn't understand the language. Or know how to get a job or sign my child up for school or what foods were at the grocery store. I wouldn't have a social security number or know how to drive a car. 

Learning about this vulnerable population last week has sparked my interest about it in my community. Once I catch up on sleep, I plan on doing some serious research!


I want to hear from you! What sort of nonprofits have you served on mission trips? What has been your favorite? Has your service ever inspired you to serve at home? I seem to learn more about where I served a bit after the trip is over. Has the same happened to you?