Saturday, October 19
PostScript: Falling in Love , Achieving goals
Bright blue eyes , wispy blond hair, and a flirtatious smile stole my heart on our last day of work at the rehab house. Brandy emerged from the bedroom, with a dirty bundle of joy, baby Landon. Offering to take care of him while she got ready for work( a diaper change, a bath in the kitchen sink, and clean clothes), I was immediately captivated by this beautiful child. We played and cooed, while the DOTS scraped and painted, intent on reaching their final goal: paint the girl,s room, hang pink curtains, and make the bed with matching pink sheets. Meantime, Brandy engaged in conversation, shared pictures of the other kids, and appreciation for our work.
Outside, the DOTS finished painting the outside of the house, with the surprising and most welcome help of the Youthbuild members. Under the house, Eileen braved the spiders, and with the help of her new Youthbuild friend, finished the insulation installation .
Photos, congratulations, and a tear or two as we said our goodbyes to the rehab house.
Lesson learned: Persistence pays off: seemingly impossible goals are achievable .
Thanks DOTS (Dames of Team SALS )
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Delays, painting, scraping and philosophy
A rainy wet day in the Holler. We were delayed this am, as Artie had to fetch the crew and supplies as well. The crew boss now in hospital to have his gallbladder out. We finally arrived at the house mid morning to find the family closeted in their bedroom smoking cigarettes. The "crew leader" , unsure in his new supervisory role, was hesitant and without direction. The DOTS kicked into action, coming up with their own work plan: paint the living room and outside back wall. assist with installation of insulation. We were dismayed when two of the 4 crew spent the whole morning smoking, and standing behind the volunteers but not lifting a finger. The family only emerged briefly for coffee, never lending a hand or offering a thank you. Early afternoon stretched late as the painting was wrapped up and the team headed back to Beards Fork for a goodbye celebration with the after school kids.
During our trip into Oak Hill to drop off the crew , Artie and I had a long discussion about SALS. And the Youthbuild program. Could it be successful? Why did some youth succeed and find jobs and others not? Why did. SALS lose its Youthbuild grant? And would they ever get it back?
After dinner, the discussion with the DOTS turned pensive. Frustration with the lack of participation of both the youth and the family was aired. Frustration with SALS leadership for not having higher standards and expectations of the crews and the families. Satisfaction with a job well done, despite all the obstacles. Sadness for the life of so many children growing up in bleak , inadequate homes. Most of the team felt their time was well spent, and that even a small contribution was meaningful. The minority felt overwhelmed by the huge financial and social challenges of coal country . Some felt that better leadership would help. All rejoiced in the value of pulling together as a team and making new friends. I am thankful to have had such a fabulous, positive, and energetic group of wise women.
On the family front, I spent much of the day on the phone with Carol, the hospital and my mother. Thanks to those of you who have expressed concern. It was a very rough day for Iris with pain and delirium, she seems to be doing slightly better tonight. Carol has been her advocate, and she has been doing a great job in a challenging situation.
Tomorrow is our last day, we hope to do more painting at the school and the house. The out to dinner for a final celebration and goodbye. The team spreads out all over the country on Saturday. Will be in touch again from Denver.
During our trip into Oak Hill to drop off the crew , Artie and I had a long discussion about SALS. And the Youthbuild program. Could it be successful? Why did some youth succeed and find jobs and others not? Why did. SALS lose its Youthbuild grant? And would they ever get it back?
After dinner, the discussion with the DOTS turned pensive. Frustration with the lack of participation of both the youth and the family was aired. Frustration with SALS leadership for not having higher standards and expectations of the crews and the families. Satisfaction with a job well done, despite all the obstacles. Sadness for the life of so many children growing up in bleak , inadequate homes. Most of the team felt their time was well spent, and that even a small contribution was meaningful. The minority felt overwhelmed by the huge financial and social challenges of coal country . Some felt that better leadership would help. All rejoiced in the value of pulling together as a team and making new friends. I am thankful to have had such a fabulous, positive, and energetic group of wise women.
On the family front, I spent much of the day on the phone with Carol, the hospital and my mother. Thanks to those of you who have expressed concern. It was a very rough day for Iris with pain and delirium, she seems to be doing slightly better tonight. Carol has been her advocate, and she has been doing a great job in a challenging situation.
Tomorrow is our last day, we hope to do more painting at the school and the house. The out to dinner for a final celebration and goodbye. The team spreads out all over the country on Saturday. Will be in touch again from Denver.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Team Leader Challenges, Curtains ,and Zumba
Wednesday, October 16
We left Alexis in Beards Fork to sleep and recover. Arriving at the rehab house we found the mother asleep, no SALS crew anywhere in site. While the team( now fondly renamed the DOTS) rearranged furniture and hung the curtains they had made, Artie and I discovered that Ralph, the crew boss had spent the night in the emergency room, no crew would be arriving. Thus, team leader challenge number one for the day: Global volunteers work in partnership with the local host and volunteers, and do not work if there are no local team members present. So I reminded Artie of this, and said the team could not stay, then I had to tell the team. They took the disappointing news In stride, and we headed to Oak Hill School to talk to the construction boss, Vicky and to tour the school.
Our stop in Beards Fork on the way to Oak Hill, brought team leader challenge number 2: Alexis had been rudely awakened by the sounds of raucous sex in one of the dorm rooms, she was quite shaken up and upset, although physically she was feeling better. After taking a very deep breath, I found Artie, and made it clear: the Youth build member involved would leave the dorm immediately, and turn in his keys. Artie blanched when he heard the story, sighed, and set out to remedy the situation.
Vicky impressed the DOTS with her vision for the old school as a community center and feeding program. As we toured, I was amazed by the progress since the summer of 2012. The refurb is almost done, there are tenants on the first floor, several community and private events have been held, and hundreds of hungry have been fed. The curtains made by my prior team hang proudly, and the tiled rooms have held up well.
Back in Beards Fork, the DOTS were greeted warmly by the after school crowd, quickly enveloped by homework and indoor recess. After finishing up dinner(and one members new match.com profile), we headed for Zumba. Under the direction of Mercedes, we jumped and danced: Hip hop meets Zumba in the Holler.
On a note from home, my mother Iris tripped in NYC last evening suffering a broken nose and knee. Luckily she was with my siblings. Carol and Donald, who braved the night in the emergency room to insist that she got the care she needed. Carol has been by her side all day, trying to make sense of all the comings and goings and making sure her pain is well controlled. She will likely need a short stay in rehab before she can go home.
Despite this weeks challenges, at the mid way point the DOTS remain upbeat and pleased with what they have accomplished so far. Last year I learned that generosity comes in many forms, and this year I have learned about the power of tolerance and compassion.
We left Alexis in Beards Fork to sleep and recover. Arriving at the rehab house we found the mother asleep, no SALS crew anywhere in site. While the team( now fondly renamed the DOTS) rearranged furniture and hung the curtains they had made, Artie and I discovered that Ralph, the crew boss had spent the night in the emergency room, no crew would be arriving. Thus, team leader challenge number one for the day: Global volunteers work in partnership with the local host and volunteers, and do not work if there are no local team members present. So I reminded Artie of this, and said the team could not stay, then I had to tell the team. They took the disappointing news In stride, and we headed to Oak Hill School to talk to the construction boss, Vicky and to tour the school.
Our stop in Beards Fork on the way to Oak Hill, brought team leader challenge number 2: Alexis had been rudely awakened by the sounds of raucous sex in one of the dorm rooms, she was quite shaken up and upset, although physically she was feeling better. After taking a very deep breath, I found Artie, and made it clear: the Youth build member involved would leave the dorm immediately, and turn in his keys. Artie blanched when he heard the story, sighed, and set out to remedy the situation.
Vicky impressed the DOTS with her vision for the old school as a community center and feeding program. As we toured, I was amazed by the progress since the summer of 2012. The refurb is almost done, there are tenants on the first floor, several community and private events have been held, and hundreds of hungry have been fed. The curtains made by my prior team hang proudly, and the tiled rooms have held up well.
Back in Beards Fork, the DOTS were greeted warmly by the after school crowd, quickly enveloped by homework and indoor recess. After finishing up dinner(and one members new match.com profile), we headed for Zumba. Under the direction of Mercedes, we jumped and danced: Hip hop meets Zumba in the Holler.
On a note from home, my mother Iris tripped in NYC last evening suffering a broken nose and knee. Luckily she was with my siblings. Carol and Donald, who braved the night in the emergency room to insist that she got the care she needed. Carol has been by her side all day, trying to make sense of all the comings and goings and making sure her pain is well controlled. She will likely need a short stay in rehab before she can go home.
Despite this weeks challenges, at the mid way point the DOTS remain upbeat and pleased with what they have accomplished so far. Last year I learned that generosity comes in many forms, and this year I have learned about the power of tolerance and compassion.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Strep throat, ER and pay day stories
Tuesday, October 15
Alexis had chills all night, and pussed out tonsils this am, so once again we invoked the F word, rearranged schedules....we headed to the local ER,no urgent care choices, and the team went to the work site via the Dollar Store. After two and a half hours in the ER, I wondered why I hadn't just called in the prescription myself!(trying to keep those boundaries clear). I whiled away the time watching daytime. TV(have you ever seen The Test?), playing our new addiction:DOTs and watching the parade of belly aches! pelvic pain! wheezing! and back pain come and go.
Meantime, the team painted a room and scraped walls. We returned to Beards Fork where they made curtains and cookies while I took a drive with Artie to deliver paychecks. This was a new experience for me, these young men, waiting anxiously for their meager pay, getting wild and manic when the checks weren't as big as expected, treating each other and Artie with disregard and disrespect, then heading off to buy cigarettes, beer, and find their girlfriends. This was a side of the youth build program. I hadn't seen before. Artie and I spent a long time on the debrief, wondering how to make a positive impact on behaviors, but still setting limits and establishing respectful relationships. It will be a long work in progress.
An exhausted team was entertained by country singer Billy Payne, who gave a Private concert. Heading back to the dorm for sleep, another surprise: John David arrived unannounced to chat and check on Alexis! Quietly all dissipated to their rooms, while John and. I caught up on the state of the team, SALS financial issues, new projects etc etc. Then we had to have a quick iPad lesson and discussion, and then he headed home. All is quiet now, . Hoping everyone stays well!
Alexis had chills all night, and pussed out tonsils this am, so once again we invoked the F word, rearranged schedules....we headed to the local ER,no urgent care choices, and the team went to the work site via the Dollar Store. After two and a half hours in the ER, I wondered why I hadn't just called in the prescription myself!(trying to keep those boundaries clear). I whiled away the time watching daytime. TV(have you ever seen The Test?), playing our new addiction:DOTs and watching the parade of belly aches! pelvic pain! wheezing! and back pain come and go.
Meantime, the team painted a room and scraped walls. We returned to Beards Fork where they made curtains and cookies while I took a drive with Artie to deliver paychecks. This was a new experience for me, these young men, waiting anxiously for their meager pay, getting wild and manic when the checks weren't as big as expected, treating each other and Artie with disregard and disrespect, then heading off to buy cigarettes, beer, and find their girlfriends. This was a side of the youth build program. I hadn't seen before. Artie and I spent a long time on the debrief, wondering how to make a positive impact on behaviors, but still setting limits and establishing respectful relationships. It will be a long work in progress.
An exhausted team was entertained by country singer Billy Payne, who gave a Private concert. Heading back to the dorm for sleep, another surprise: John David arrived unannounced to chat and check on Alexis! Quietly all dissipated to their rooms, while John and. I caught up on the state of the team, SALS financial issues, new projects etc etc. Then we had to have a quick iPad lesson and discussion, and then he headed home. All is quiet now, . Hoping everyone stays well!
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Women Get to Work ....and Lots of Laughs
The day started in usual SALS style: no one at the rehab house, so Artie took us to see the falls near the Gauley Bridge, a soothing sight. Mid morning we returned to the rehab house, where we met up with the crew boss Ralph and the home owner. The pictures will tell the story, but lets just say that there will be plenty of work to do....paint, scraping, yard cleanup, new curtains, and a new bathroom. Brandy lives in the house with her husband and 5 kids, the 6th is on the way. It was an amazing thing to watch....the power of women helping women.....both in physical and emotional tasks.
My energetic gang got to work....yard cleanup and an whole room painted by early afternoon with lots of planning for the rest of the week. Mid afternoon found us back in Beards Fork with enough energy for tutoring and cooking for the after school program. The kids took easily to their new friends and helpers and happily did their homework....then spent the rest of the time teaching us games and tricks on their cell phones!
We missed Zumba because we got so involved in our after dinner gab fest, that the time escaped us. With an age range of 30 to 71, several divorces, new marriages, one widow hood, new boyfriends, one double cancer survivor, and a completed marathon we had a lot to discuss, dissect, give advice about and enjoy the new sisterhood.
The consensus: a great and tiring day......
Happy volunteers=happy team leader.
My energetic gang got to work....yard cleanup and an whole room painted by early afternoon with lots of planning for the rest of the week. Mid afternoon found us back in Beards Fork with enough energy for tutoring and cooking for the after school program. The kids took easily to their new friends and helpers and happily did their homework....then spent the rest of the time teaching us games and tricks on their cell phones!
We missed Zumba because we got so involved in our after dinner gab fest, that the time escaped us. With an age range of 30 to 71, several divorces, new marriages, one widow hood, new boyfriends, one double cancer survivor, and a completed marathon we had a lot to discuss, dissect, give advice about and enjoy the new sisterhood.
The consensus: a great and tiring day......
Happy volunteers=happy team leader.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Orientation, A Project, and a Trip to the Coal Mine
Sunday, October 13
Seattle like weather greeted us this am for an early saunter up the Holler. The entire team turned out for the walk, expressing great curiosity about Beards Fork. Orientation followed with team goal setting...and the first project assignment: clean and organize the laundry room so the next team leader doesn't have to dig through mounds of sheets and towels. In short order, this team of energetic women had the place cleaned up, sorted out, and labelled. Even the hard hats are hung neatly in the closet.
Finishing the orientTion and procedural details we took a filed trip to the Coal Mine exhibit where we toured the old mine underground, and visited the old mining town reproductions. Imagine spending 12to 14 hours a day in a tunnel only 30 inches high. It was a dreary, unsafe, and hard life for the coal miners.
Next stop Tamara k to browse West Virginia crafts and sample a traditional West Virginia foods. Headed back to Beards Fork,where John David, the founder of SALS, our host organization gave inspiring comments about his initial work with community organzing, his work with the community, the coal miners unions, and the work today to build and rehab homes for affordable housing. He has worked and lived in the community for over 40 years. s aLS also helps run an after school program.
The team is tired out, but fired up and ready for work tomorrow.
Seattle like weather greeted us this am for an early saunter up the Holler. The entire team turned out for the walk, expressing great curiosity about Beards Fork. Orientation followed with team goal setting...and the first project assignment: clean and organize the laundry room so the next team leader doesn't have to dig through mounds of sheets and towels. In short order, this team of energetic women had the place cleaned up, sorted out, and labelled. Even the hard hats are hung neatly in the closet.
Finishing the orientTion and procedural details we took a filed trip to the Coal Mine exhibit where we toured the old mine underground, and visited the old mining town reproductions. Imagine spending 12to 14 hours a day in a tunnel only 30 inches high. It was a dreary, unsafe, and hard life for the coal miners.
Next stop Tamara k to browse West Virginia crafts and sample a traditional West Virginia foods. Headed back to Beards Fork,where John David, the founder of SALS, our host organization gave inspiring comments about his initial work with community organzing, his work with the community, the coal miners unions, and the work today to build and rehab homes for affordable housing. He has worked and lived in the community for over 40 years. s aLS also helps run an after school program.
The team is tired out, but fired up and ready for work tomorrow.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Team arrives......and a surprise as well
Slept like a log(nothing like a little chemical help for the first night). Awoke to a cool humid day with low clouds, after some initial cleanup and organizing, headed out for a walk up the Holler. Colors starting to change, houses decorated for Halloween, and many of the same people ( and dogs) from last year. More laundry for towels and sheets, then on our way to the airport for the first pick up.
Eileen arrived on time fromN yC where she is a psych nurse, and a veteran Global volunteer , she went to Peru in 2012. With some time to kill, we discovered Taylor's bookstore and cafe, and spent a lovely hour browsing and having a coffee. Back to the airport to pick up the rest of the team: four friends from California(retired teachers) and Alexis, a nurse from Oregon(also an experienced Global Volunteer from the Cook Islands. ) In the van on the way back to Beards Fork, the gang started to coalesce into a team.
For what is now becoming a tradition, work started on spaghetti , sauce, bread and salad. Just as we were to sit down, Artie announced the surprise call: another team member at the airport! Looking at each other in surprise, we immediately invoked the F word( you know what that means). Artie gave up on dinner, I did more laundry, rearranged rooms and mattresses, and two hours later we happily welcomed our last member, Marianne, from New York. The team gave her a warm welcome and update, discussed plans for tomorrow, and now all are off to bed.
Once again I marvel at the huge generosity( these women say they came here to give and to work) of mind and spirit of those who choose to serve,
Keeping flexibility front and center,
Barbara
Eileen arrived on time fromN yC where she is a psych nurse, and a veteran Global volunteer , she went to Peru in 2012. With some time to kill, we discovered Taylor's bookstore and cafe, and spent a lovely hour browsing and having a coffee. Back to the airport to pick up the rest of the team: four friends from California(retired teachers) and Alexis, a nurse from Oregon(also an experienced Global Volunteer from the Cook Islands. ) In the van on the way back to Beards Fork, the gang started to coalesce into a team.
For what is now becoming a tradition, work started on spaghetti , sauce, bread and salad. Just as we were to sit down, Artie announced the surprise call: another team member at the airport! Looking at each other in surprise, we immediately invoked the F word( you know what that means). Artie gave up on dinner, I did more laundry, rearranged rooms and mattresses, and two hours later we happily welcomed our last member, Marianne, from New York. The team gave her a warm welcome and update, discussed plans for tomorrow, and now all are off to bed.
Once again I marvel at the huge generosity( these women say they came here to give and to work) of mind and spirit of those who choose to serve,
Keeping flexibility front and center,
Barbara
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