It was on a gloriously sunny Saturday morning that I, along with two of my classmates joined Professor Bateman on a delivery shift for Project Angel Heart. I was not entirely sure what to expect, but I knew that I was anxious to begin my work with Project Angel Heart. We had talked so much in class about what we were going to be doing and about the experiences we had previously to the class. The kitchen itself was not what I anticipated at all. In my mind, I had a stereotypical image of a soup kitchen pictured. Instead, it really was just an ordinary, much larger, kitchen. There were average looking large conventional ovens and a series of stovetops. This emphasized in my head the fact that most of the work that was done was behind the scenes, All of the community service I had done prior to this class included direct involvement with community members.
The part I was most excited for on the delivery shift was the interaction with the project’s clients. I was aware that they were obviously sick and needy to qualify for Project Angel Heart, but I was unsure how they would react to us coming. Would they resent us? Would they think we were just there to fulfill a requirement? How did they feel at someone knocking on their door and delivery their weekly meals? My questions were not really answered through my experience. The encounters with the project’s clients were extremely limited. I wasn’t expecting to be invited in for a coffee, but I thought that perhaps a little more dialogue would have been passed between us. I anticipated a more social experience, but came to realize that at the end of the day I was providing a service for them. What was in my job description was no different that someone delivery the mail, or dropping off a UPS package. The fact that one man literally opened the door, took the package and closed it again should not really have to come to much of a surprise. I was also taken a back at the amount of people who were not home for the schedule delivery. People were aware when their delivery was to take place, if it were be I would make sure to be home. I would not want my week’s food sitting outside my doorstep. This was the only flaw in the plan that Project Angel Heart had discovered. On the other hand, one man was so anxious for his delivery that he was waiting outside on the sidewalk for us to come. It did not seem like people were very grateful or excited about their delivery. It was almost as though they had become so accustomed to it coming that they didn’t think about the preparation put into it. The visits of Project Angel Heart had become a habit, something that they have gotten used to. Although I do not believe the volunteers should be shown gratitude it would seem fit for the clients to at least shown some enthusiasm to the efforts being made to better their lives.
As we continued along our journey, I thought to myself that doing this delivery shift on a weekly basis was such a small sacrifice to make in comparison to the good it was bringing to so many people. I began to think to myself that this would be something I would like to make a part of my personal routine, to do my part for the community. However, after meeting more clients I realized that I would be better off working in an interaction environment with a community of people. The direct social interaction with people is an atmosphere that I thrive in and feel that I can make more of a difference than doing behind the scenes work. In conclusion, I enjoyed my experience on the delivery shift, but would rather invest my time into an interactive experience.
Milly,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your reaction to the PAH delivery shift. While my shift was not so difficult (all the clients were at home), and the clients we delivered to were more outgoing, I found myself wanting more, more conversation, more dialogue, a more rewarding experience. For though I too recognized that a PAH delivery shift is such a small sacrifice to make in relation to the impact it makes, it is ultimately providing a basic service, as you said. There is not the emotional reward that comes from interacting with people for extended amounts of time, getting to know them, helping them in person, and etc. Yet, though it is difficult for me to grasp and I constantly remind myself of it, I think that just because PAH delivery shifts do not produce too much of that warm, contented gooey feeling inside, they are just as meaningful and helpful as any other volunteer service. So, I completely understand your view to the shift for I was and still am the same way.