This week we started a series of lunches for members of the community. These lunches are designed to increase public awareness of La Casa Hogar so that eventually they may donate money to us. We gave the people a tour of our facility & explained all of the programs. I invited one of the students from our computer class to attend. During the presentation she spoke up & said wonderful things to the people about our class. She did it in English too! I was shocked-she always makes me speak in Spanish, and she does very well in English. I was a proud teacher indeed! After the tour, we had a fabulous lunch cooked by the ladies of La Casa Hogar.
The morning of the event was stressful because I was trying to prepare about six different handouts for the people to see. The lunch was fun, though. I've also been working on a newsletter in Spanish to be given to all of the women in La Casa Hogar. I've involved some of the students, and it's been a fun learning experience for all of us. This week we started planning for our Annual Meeting Event. This will be a big community dinner and silent auction to raise money for La Casa. I will be helping with some of the planning, and I told the caterers that I am always available for sampling menu options! Not too much else to report. It's been a busy week, & I'm glad it's Friday!
I had the idea to involve some of the women of La Casa Hogar in the process of writing a newsletter for them. I write a newsletter to go to our community sponsors and community members, but this one is different. It includes women's birthday's and community events that may be of interest to them. It's fun for me because I get to practice my Spanish and get to know some of the women better. Some of them have fascinating stories and talents that they are not yet using in the United States.
This week I also used the A+ program for the first time with the GED students. They liked the program and thought it was also a great opportunity to practice their English. Additionally, I've been working organizing some of our data. We have student waiting lists here, and family information there, and duplicate entries here and there. We just purchased new fundraising software that should streamline the process, but we haven't starting using it yet. We do however, have a meeting on Monday to talk about that the new software.
Excited for the weekend-I worked yesterday (Veteran's Day), so now I think it's time to play!
Sometimes, I get frusturated about the things I cannot change. November 3 was definitely one of those days. I was driving to work, & I just started crying about everything that felt wrong. Working in this VISTA position is giving me a new perspective on immigrant issues and the real struggles that low-income individuals face. I can see more clearly the impact of political decisons on people's lives.
Also, last week I went to a meeting about saving a community center in Yakima. The center is in a very poor neighborhood, and budget cuts have made it deteriorate further. The center used to have several Americorps workers, but now they have none! Whose administration are we talking about here?
I decided I would be a terrible social worker. I feel too bad for the people! This women came into our center last week, and I happened to be the one standing downstairs at the time. She looked terrible & started balling and pouring out her heart to me. She told me about her kids, her house being condemed, and many other things. I told her to come back during our emergency service hours. She came back asking for me, & there ended up being nothing we could do for her. She had another meltdown & left cursing me in Spanish! Some very interesting people come into our center. It's tough when we can't help them and you know the conditions they are living in.
I have also been frusturated by the language barrier at my center. I know that the fact that I'm frusturated means I'm learning a lot, but sometimes it is too much. The other night I tried to teach Microsoft Excel in Spanish, and it was nearly impossible to explain the math functions in Spanish-I think it would have been difficult in English! I talked to one of the women I work with and she said that some days I can speak a lot of Spanish and other days I can barely get anything out. I guess that's what it's like learning a language. When I get frusturated, I try to think of how good I'll be in 10 months.
Well, that about raps up my frusturations for now. I'm trying to let go of my feelings on the election, but I think it's going to take some time.
Hoy es un dia espeical en La Casa Hogar. O.k., I'd better start writing in English now. Today, we had a fiesta to celebrate the Day of the Dead. November 2nd is a very important day in the Mexican culture, not because of the presidential elections, but because it it a day to honor the dead. It is customary to make "dead bread" (a sweet bread that is really good) and create altars to honor special people that have passed on.
This morning we had a fiesta in honor of the Day of the Dead. Many women shared personal stories about people they had lost. People were very open when sharing, and it really enhanced the feeling of family. We also presented poems and readings about the holiday in both English and Spanish. The women brought photos of their loved ones to place on the altar along with different types of food. In addition to the Dead bread we also had two rice dishes, another pastry, flan, two chicken and vegetable dishes, and coffee & cocoa. It was truly any VISTA's dream feast!
I really enjoy working here because of the sense of community. It doesn't have to be a holiday to recognize that this is a special place to work. On regular days everyone is friendly and willing to work with each other. I felt like I could be open and honest with the staff here from day one, and it has really helped ease the transition for me.