Friday, March 4, 2016

The Last Hoorah

In order to celebrate our last beautiful, sunny day on Ruskin's campus before returning to dreary Erie, we spent the day being tourists. We visited the famous Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, where we saw several manatees. It was truly an amazing experience to be able to witness the occasional bobbing nuzzle or back of these precious creatures. Then, we traveled down to St. Pete's beach in St. Petersburg and ate dinner at a quant seafood restaurant, named the "Wharf". After dinner, we had the opportunity to venture onto the beach and watch the beautiful sunset.
 Then reality set in; we got down to business packing and cleaning up. Our final reflection focused around the highlights of the past week and we wrote down one word that describes the trip and three memorable moments.
Chelsea: "Life changing"
  • The daycare at San Jose Mission
  • Last night's deep reflection
  • The last day spent at Ruskin
Katie A.: "Hope"
  • The magic mirror reflection with ABST group
  • The magic mirror reflection with the women at The Spring
  • Last night's deep reflection
Shania: "Inspiring"
  • Katie A. taking an accidental "shower" at the foot-cleaning station at the beach
  • Holding babies at the San Jose Mission
  • Running on the beach with Megan A.
Megan A: "Life changing"
  • Katie A. taking an accidental "shower" at the foot-cleaning station at the beach
  • The sunset on our last day
  • Working with the women at The Spring
Katie W.: "Hope"
  • Katie A. taking an accidental "shower" at the foot-cleaning station at the beach
  • Working with the women at The Spring
  • The small child at the San Jose mission saying, "Take your heart with you."
Jennifer: "Memorable"
  • All of the members of the ABST
  • How appreciative all of the people were at The Spring and the San Jose Mission
  • Learning about the issues concerning the migrant workers and domestic violence
Sara: "Growth"
  • Maria and Sister Sara explaining about the cars at the San Jose Mission
  • The bad-asses reflection
  • Covenant check-in and peer advocate brainstorming
Kim: "Experience"
  • Working with kids and holding a baby for the first time
  • The magic mirror reflection with the women at The Spring
  • Meagan H. scaring Katie A. and Sara
Veronica: " Friendship/Bonding"
  • The kids at the San Jose Mission and The Spring
  • The car rides
  • Flying for the first time
Meagan H. : "Awareness"
  • Holding a baby for the first time and playing with the children at the San Jose Mission and The Spring
  • The idea for the peer advocacy group
  • Chelsea catching a lizard at the San Jose Mission and it biting both the little girl and Chelsea







Thanks for traveling with us and all your support and endless prayers! It has truly been an experience of a lifetime!

By: Veronica, Kim, Chelsea, Shania, and Meagan H.


Thursday, March 3, 2016

Welcome to your Play Space!

As a kid you should not have to worry about where to play, and where to not play. You should not have to play behind fenced in walls, you should simply be a kid. As an adult, you should not have to hide behind walls, constantly looking over your shoulders and worrying every second as to whether or not you are safe in the environment your in.




Today our group visited a domestic violence shelter in southern Florida, where all of these worries are very real. This is a place where women and possibly even men can go to in the time of need, at any time of the day. The violence they are put through can vary along the lines of verbal, choking, hitting, withholding money, and even being physically and mentally controlling. Abuse is abuse! These women are put through hell, and their children who have no voice in the hell that surrounds them.

 As we arrived at this shelter, we noticed how the outside had looked run down and did not look like a safe house/shelter. Then it hit us that they needed to fit in with their safe surroundings. Our day within the shelter had consisted of doing yard work. We planted vegetables in their garden, pulled weeds, painted benches, raked leaves, trimmed hedges and even taught some of the kids how to plant onions. We gave the kids area a little TLC. The ladies that ran the shelter were beyond thankful for the little things that we had done. Then it struck me that some of these kids eat, sleep, go to school, and only make friends within these 4 walls. It completely broke my heart.





As lunch time had rolled around we went to explore Ybor city. After spending time being tourists, it was time to get back to work and head back to the shelter. The evening of service was split between two projects. Half the group spent some quality time with the children and to do arts and crafts and to just give their undivided attention. The other half did an activity with the women, during a time which they called "Group". My self along with 3 other teammates and 1 group leader headed over to spend some one-on-one time with these wonderful ladies.

I was scared! I was scared that we would scare them, and that it would be difficult for both parties. Let me tell you that it was the complete opposite. These women were beyond caring and wanting to get to know us. These ladies were so sweet and don't get me wrong, yes you have some ladies who are shy and scared, but the majority were happy to have us share in their Group.

The activity that we did with these ladies was called the magic mirror. You get a mirror and its a guided meditation with paint, glitter and much much more accessories. At first you are to write your name in a creative way, and your asked whether you like your name, who named you, what are your nicknames, etc. After that you are to come up with 2 words that people around you would use to describe you, 2 positive words that you would use to describe yourself and then 2 words as to how you would describe yourself behind closed doors that not many people would know. The last one was a way of bragging about yourself. This is where the women really began to struggle. They were never told what they were good at, never told what made them special or unique. During this time some women had even begun to cry. They had told me that they were not sure what made them special. This is where my heart was shattered. To live life till your 30, 40 or even 50, not once ever being told how special you are, how pretty, how outgoing, or that you have a purpose, is heartbreaking. I could not fathom going through what these women did, still fighting and not being sure as to what I am really fighting for.

We facilitated this magic mirror activity as a way to cultivate and affirm the wonderful quality that every victim possesses. After leaving an abusive relationship, it is crucial that survivors begin to regain their confidence and self-esteem. Positive self image has all but been destroyed in an abuse relationship. It was encouraging to see the woman actively searching and seeking hope and confidence through this activity!




The table that I had sat at was a mixture of women. We had woman from a wide range of age groups and cultural backgrounds. All these women had a story that was sure to break your heart and inspire your soul at the same time.  All these ladies wanted to hear was that they were special, that they had a calling in life, that God made them unique and for something special. As I got to sit with these ladies I just kept feeling led to give praises and compliments and just to shower these women with love. Its times like this that I live for. Its moments like these that I call God moments.

The most shocking part of that activity was the moment I looked at lady who had been laughing, crying and processing deeply during the activity. I glimpsed at her arms and noticed fresh bruises, and lumps. It was that moment that I realized the magnitude of abuse and affirmed her strength. It takes just one simple compliment to boost that smile and self esteem.



As we were packing up and getting ready to leave these women were hugging us and thanking us. When in return we should have been thanking them, for in that moment of vulnerability they let us in. They trusted us... You really start to realize how precious life is in the presence of abuse survivors. As we were hugging the women, the water works started. You cry because you know that under that sweater or shirt they are wearing, there are bruises and scars that will forever tell a story, a story that no one will ever be able to understand. Leaving that shelter today, left me changed in a way that is hard to describe. I hope to be able to take what I learned today, return to my community, and reach out to those in need. I am telling you all it takes is time, and a heart opening to listening.

-Megan Alexander



Wednesday, March 2, 2016

A Few Words From Ruskin!

"I was talking with one of the workers today about a little boy in her class. He was about two year old and the most adorable little guy I'd ever seen, but he was quite hard to understand. At first I chalked it up to me not knowing Spanish but as I talked with this worker I learned that he actually is hard for even the most fluent Spanish speakers to understand. This is because he doesn't really know how to talk. This really shocked me because the other kids his age could speak pretty well so I decided to asked her more about it. I learned that this is his first year at the daycare and he came into it not even knowing how to say his name. This was heart breaking to hear because at 2, or even almost 2, he should definitely know how to say his name and many other words as well. But it all turned around when he started attending the daycare. With the workers' help he now can say his name and he knows his colors. He is well on his way to catching up with the other kids. This is just one of the many cases that show what a necessity this daycare is to its community. The things they do for these kids is just amazing and they deserve so much praise and gratitude for it. They are making a change in these children's lives. A change that will impact them greatly and stay with them for a life time." - Chelsea


" I can't believe how fast this week has went.  Time flies when you are having fun, right? This statement is definitely true for me.  Not only did I have a lot of fun working with the kids, I also got the chance to learn about their culture- I even got to learn some Spanish! I am sure many of the kids enjoyed our presence as much as we enjoyed theirs.  Overall, it was such an awesome opportunity!" -Kim 

“Having one baby on my hip while pushing another baby in a swing made me realize how big of an impact time and love has on a child. These children were so excited to play and have fun despite the struggle of their family’s situation. This experience truly brings meaning to the saying "enjoy the little things" because those little things, such as the simple gift of time and presence, can make a big difference in the eyes of someone else. I will cherish this day and the smiles on those children's faces forever." -Shania



“During this trip we dive into deep social problems and our desire to fix them. A lot of people purely focus on the logistics of these problems and not the people that they directly affect. Spending time at the San Jose mission really helped me connect with these problems on a personal level and the people directly involved. We often don't think about the immigrant children and their lives, because when it comes down to it they're just kids. They run and laugh and play just like every other kid and it was a pleasure to see each and every one of their smiling faces. It was an absolute joy and pleasure to be able to interact with these truly amazing and strong children and essentially just be a kid for a day." -Meagan H.

"Working with the kids melted my heart. I got to thinking that who knows when someone just takes the time out of their day to hold these children, to love them, to tell them they are loved. It broke my heart that every time a little kid would walk away they would make sure I was still in the same spot and if I moved they would find me and cling right back on to my finger. I loved it. Today really opened my eyes that when God says go, go! - Megan A.




"This was a different cultural experience because several of the children were bilingual. One girl stood out in particular as she was able to translate for some of the other children." - Jennifer

"You know when you love what you do so much; it doesn't even feel like work? That's what today felt like for me. Even though 12 hours is a long day, playing with kids who made your heart melt instantly made the hours fly by. With a day spent like that, it wasn't a day of work; it was a day full of fun, laughter, and memories." –Veronica

"Make sure you take your heart with you! A little girl in the three year old room shouted this as I was leaving. She made me a purple card with a large purple scribbled heart on the front. Her reminder really struck me, as I left. There are so many parts of our days that demand the presence of our hearts. Today was a reminder of the importance of bringing our hearts along. The heart behind the mission truly changes things. I hope that you all make sure to take your heart with you each and every day." - Katie 






Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Getting Down & Dirty

Today our group spent the day at the San Jose Mission which is a ministry of the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg Inc. The mission is known for housing migrant farm workers.  However, the mission does a lot more offering various services such as a free health clinic and helping people with immigration. These services are not just available to the 120 families who live at the mission but to the community as a whole. In order to receive services through the mission, family must be at the poverty level.  To live in the residential units, the family must be involved in the agricultural business as well as meeting the income guidelines. Our group spent part of the morning learning about Migrant Farm workers from Maria and Sister Sara before receiving a brief tour of the property. Then we got down to the physical labor. Some of us cleaned and organized the health clinic while others raked and cleaned outside. Something that I noticed along with others in the group was how appreciative all the workers were of the tasks completed today. They told us that the work we completed today was things that they do not have the time or resources to do.  Maria from the mission treated us to an authentic Hispanic dinner which we all seemed to enjoy. I would describe today as an eye opening experience and gave deeper meaning on one of the reasons why we are here in Ruskin.   
      ~Jennifer Hepler