Hello to those very few that may read this.
Today, I made my first ever homemade syrup. Was it syrup, no, but it was as close as i could get. I mixed brown sugar, vanilla extract and water. Super watery and doesn't taste like any syrup I have had before. So.. I put more brown sugar in it. And then some more... So it wasn't syrup, but it was sweet and tasted passable. This was my challenge at the Denver Rescue mission today.
Betty and I were in the kitchen and the first thing the cook Rick asked us was. "Do you know how to make Syrup" Both Betty and I looked at each other and said no. He was unfazed and said, "Well try this..." He then proceeded to show us but stressed that we shouldn't put too much vanilla in the mix. Since we were serving pancakes, we had to have syrup. The mix wasn't nearly as sticky as real syrup but there were no complaints about it. There were requests for more, but it wasnt because it was good, it was because the syrup was like water and absorbed into the pancakes almost instantly. Some didn't even see the "syrup" there and i wasn't one to argue, it didn't look like it.
I have been vollunteering on and off the since January. February I only volunteered once because I took a trip to San Jose to see my friends Katherine and Christiana and their awesome kids Emma and Adonis. I got to see Arthur and Walter, and even met Andrew our new teammate. Nice guy and lots of energy. A workhorse too. Went to the House of Prime Rib as well. It is something like a tradition and I just love San Francisco.
Kinda all over the place today. I am loving volunteering still and hope to do it constantly for as long as I can. A friend Keri went with once but we had to go during afternoon shift. It was pretty cool. Will keep asking others to go if they want, but never forcing it upon them. I want to expand and see what else i can do.
Also been feeling down as i haven't found someone to share more of myself with. Have tried a few different things, but nothing has worked. Talked to a friend and I think he has the right. He says that I am thinking to big. That I'm thinking about the end without finding out about the start and the little things. I am going to listen to this advice and start small. Maybe this will help.
I am going to also join a bike club, cut back from WoW and other games just so I can get healthy and meet people. I love the game, but maybe it's time to focus on other things. Also some of the others are getting into Rift, which is the same game but with another skin. Fun, but another time sink. We shall see.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Volunteering Oct 17, 2010
I want to write about the past two weeks of volunteering. First off, lets go over last week.
What was the most exciting happy volunteering experience was also the most disappointing.
My great friend Adrienne decided to volunteer with me. We planned on meeting before, but she wasn't able to make it. So this time, she texted me at 4:34 right when i was waking up. We met down there almost at the exact same time. She followed me to the lot and luckily there were very few people there.
Getting in we peeled grapes and did fruits. Then started to serve. They put Adrienne on the food line putting food on the trays and made me do coffee. There were a lot of different volunteers there so I had like 2 helpers on coffee that actually took over while i bussed tables.
Everything was going well, however i was getting a bit frustrated. I am uncertain what they want me to do. The new boss is Marcus, who i guess i am not comfortable with yet. Maybe that is what was a little uncomfortable. I didn't seem to get what he was saying, as he speaks very softly and he has some terms for the jobs i'm not sure what they are. Either way, I just don't want to feel as if I'm doing something wrong or should be doing something else. I just want to help.
The part that really got me upset was when Adrienne brought out a cart with the extra food and was going around giving it to people that wanted it. There were a few people, one younger man that stands out, that were almost harassing her. They were asking her name and where she is from. Adrienne is an amazingly open, empathetic, and kind person. She was trying to be friendly, but some of these people were bugging her constantly. I went over and gave her support trying to put myself in between them. They werent outwardly threatening her, however she didn't deserve that kind of harassment. You could see in her eyes that she was startled. We don't need that kind of treatment ever, we are helping on our own free time with nothing but the joy of being appreciated and helping!.
After we volunteered, we went to a place only a block away from the Denver Rescue Mission that serves breakfast. It is a place called SNOOZE. It is so surreal to see this trendy breakfast place no less then 150 feet from a place where people are waiting in line for a small piece of meat and a mis-shapen pancake. All up the street there are places you wouldn't expect there. A jeweler, a night club, a steak house. Reminds me exactly like that Poison song... "a mile away live the rich folk, and i see how they living it up. The poor they eat from hand to mouth while rich drinkin from the golden cup" Just makes me think more and more each day.
Today, I went down there feeling pretty good. When i arrived, there were two people already there. A woman named Kiersten and a guy named Greg. Kiersten was doing this just because she said she had not job at the moment but wanted to help and Greg said his Dog wakes him at 4 every day so might as well help out. Both were very nice. Also met Ruby who was doing this for a class.
I served coffee and FINALLY they moved it to a new location. It was actually my idea as Marcus has gotten more familiar with me and gave me free reign to put it where i wanted. I told him it was a huge bottleneck and that putting it off to the side was best. It worked awesomely and people got through the line much faster.
The breakfast rush went by smoothly and I even heard some of the men talking about The Vikings and there were a few active conversations about the game between the Vikes and the Cowboys. Being a huge Vikings fan I was silently cheering on the Vikings supporters! GO VIKES!
Once breakfast was over I helped fold some forks and left around 730. As i was leaving Marcus came up to me and shook my hand. "we couldn't do this without you" he said and said that when I'm there I am the boss. Not sure what that meant but it felt good.
Driving home I felt really good. I cant wait to see what next week holds.
What was the most exciting happy volunteering experience was also the most disappointing.
My great friend Adrienne decided to volunteer with me. We planned on meeting before, but she wasn't able to make it. So this time, she texted me at 4:34 right when i was waking up. We met down there almost at the exact same time. She followed me to the lot and luckily there were very few people there.
Getting in we peeled grapes and did fruits. Then started to serve. They put Adrienne on the food line putting food on the trays and made me do coffee. There were a lot of different volunteers there so I had like 2 helpers on coffee that actually took over while i bussed tables.
Everything was going well, however i was getting a bit frustrated. I am uncertain what they want me to do. The new boss is Marcus, who i guess i am not comfortable with yet. Maybe that is what was a little uncomfortable. I didn't seem to get what he was saying, as he speaks very softly and he has some terms for the jobs i'm not sure what they are. Either way, I just don't want to feel as if I'm doing something wrong or should be doing something else. I just want to help.
The part that really got me upset was when Adrienne brought out a cart with the extra food and was going around giving it to people that wanted it. There were a few people, one younger man that stands out, that were almost harassing her. They were asking her name and where she is from. Adrienne is an amazingly open, empathetic, and kind person. She was trying to be friendly, but some of these people were bugging her constantly. I went over and gave her support trying to put myself in between them. They werent outwardly threatening her, however she didn't deserve that kind of harassment. You could see in her eyes that she was startled. We don't need that kind of treatment ever, we are helping on our own free time with nothing but the joy of being appreciated and helping!.
After we volunteered, we went to a place only a block away from the Denver Rescue Mission that serves breakfast. It is a place called SNOOZE. It is so surreal to see this trendy breakfast place no less then 150 feet from a place where people are waiting in line for a small piece of meat and a mis-shapen pancake. All up the street there are places you wouldn't expect there. A jeweler, a night club, a steak house. Reminds me exactly like that Poison song... "a mile away live the rich folk, and i see how they living it up. The poor they eat from hand to mouth while rich drinkin from the golden cup" Just makes me think more and more each day.
Today, I went down there feeling pretty good. When i arrived, there were two people already there. A woman named Kiersten and a guy named Greg. Kiersten was doing this just because she said she had not job at the moment but wanted to help and Greg said his Dog wakes him at 4 every day so might as well help out. Both were very nice. Also met Ruby who was doing this for a class.
I served coffee and FINALLY they moved it to a new location. It was actually my idea as Marcus has gotten more familiar with me and gave me free reign to put it where i wanted. I told him it was a huge bottleneck and that putting it off to the side was best. It worked awesomely and people got through the line much faster.
The breakfast rush went by smoothly and I even heard some of the men talking about The Vikings and there were a few active conversations about the game between the Vikes and the Cowboys. Being a huge Vikings fan I was silently cheering on the Vikings supporters! GO VIKES!
Once breakfast was over I helped fold some forks and left around 730. As i was leaving Marcus came up to me and shook my hand. "we couldn't do this without you" he said and said that when I'm there I am the boss. Not sure what that meant but it felt good.
Driving home I felt really good. I cant wait to see what next week holds.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Oct 3rd 2010 Volunteering with a Friend
(4:15 am) I am up a bit early today because on of my dear friends, Adrienne, has decided to join me in volunteering. She has been thinking of doing it for quite a while now, but has been very busy. I am glad she is going to go because I think she will truly enjoy it. She has an amazing heart.
I had already signed up last week for the next month. Apparently you can only sign up four times at a time. I went into the website to change the number of volunteers (was 1) but when I tried to update to 2 it said they were full. We are going to try to wing it and I doubt they would turn her away. I know she wanted to do this for the community service she has to do for her marital arts. She is testing to be a black belt!
I hope it is a good experience for her as I would love for her to come back. Will write about everything when I get back. We are thinking of having breakfast after. I found a cool place not to far called Pete's Kitchen. "Pete" restuarants are littered all over Denver and go way back to teh 50s.
Be back in a bit to tell how it went.
(9:54am) I just got back form volunteering. I texted Adrienne at 5:25 and unfortunately she over slept. No worries there is always another day to go. She felt very bad but I told her not to worry about it. There is forever to volunteer and she is going to go with me next week. She wanted to take me to breakfast to make up for it, but honestly it was so early and she was up late with company.
We went to a place called Pete's Kitchen. Pete has many restaurants around town and I hear they all are pretty good. The walls were adorned with "best in westword and Denver and other places" with various years attached to them. I got a huge breakfast burrito smothered in green Chili. I LOVE good green chili and this was not bad. Adrienne had an omelet and we spoke about our week and that hopefully we can both volunteer next week. Adrienne is awesome and I love hanging out with her.
So volunteering itself was fun, I tore up lettuce and tomatoes and mixed salads. Then I served breakfast by handing out trays. They rearranged the dining area so it was a bit cramped. It went smooth and I had fun.
I look forward to the colder months so I can volunteer more.
There are a lot of opportunities.
I had already signed up last week for the next month. Apparently you can only sign up four times at a time. I went into the website to change the number of volunteers (was 1) but when I tried to update to 2 it said they were full. We are going to try to wing it and I doubt they would turn her away. I know she wanted to do this for the community service she has to do for her marital arts. She is testing to be a black belt!
I hope it is a good experience for her as I would love for her to come back. Will write about everything when I get back. We are thinking of having breakfast after. I found a cool place not to far called Pete's Kitchen. "Pete" restuarants are littered all over Denver and go way back to teh 50s.
Be back in a bit to tell how it went.
(9:54am) I just got back form volunteering. I texted Adrienne at 5:25 and unfortunately she over slept. No worries there is always another day to go. She felt very bad but I told her not to worry about it. There is forever to volunteer and she is going to go with me next week. She wanted to take me to breakfast to make up for it, but honestly it was so early and she was up late with company.
We went to a place called Pete's Kitchen. Pete has many restaurants around town and I hear they all are pretty good. The walls were adorned with "best in westword and Denver and other places" with various years attached to them. I got a huge breakfast burrito smothered in green Chili. I LOVE good green chili and this was not bad. Adrienne had an omelet and we spoke about our week and that hopefully we can both volunteer next week. Adrienne is awesome and I love hanging out with her.
So volunteering itself was fun, I tore up lettuce and tomatoes and mixed salads. Then I served breakfast by handing out trays. They rearranged the dining area so it was a bit cramped. It went smooth and I had fun.
I look forward to the colder months so I can volunteer more.
There are a lot of opportunities.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Volunteering Sept 26th, 2010
Getting in the car today after volunteering i noticed a few things. The air is getting crisper, you an tell its becoming fall. The noticed the shadows stretching across the buildings of Denver and how if you just watch you can see them shrinking. It is pretty awesome to see it getting lighter and lighter outside. It's supposed to be about 90 today, but the nights are getting much cooler.
I woke up today feeling great. I managed to fall asleep near midnight (i know late, but it was hard falling asleep) Getting ready I tried paying attention to my surroundings. I love it when its dark before the sun comes up. Something about it seems calming and peaceful. Heard no dogs and very little traffic. The lights above my garage were gleaming down the line like a runway out of the complex
I woke up today feeling great. I managed to fall asleep near midnight (i know late, but it was hard falling asleep) Getting ready I tried paying attention to my surroundings. I love it when its dark before the sun comes up. Something about it seems calming and peaceful. Heard no dogs and very little traffic. The lights above my garage were gleaming down the line like a runway out of the complex
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Vollunteering Sept 12, 2010
Woke up early about 4:25 and got up. Didn't want to miss volunteering today. I think that getting in the habit of volunteering so I do not stop doing it. Also, if i do it every Sunday, It will wake me up for football!
The Vikings lost already last Thursday in what was a poor outing. The game was very low scoring, but the Vikes didn't take advantage of all the opportunities. Oh well I hope they do well.
I arrived at about 5:32am in the parking lot. There were a lot of homeless people hanging out. It still is a bit intimidating when people come up to the car and tap on the window. I told them I am going to work and they leave me alone. Still have to watch my back as I walk up to the Mission.
So today a new person was in charge because Trevell went to The Crossing for something. Marcus was the name of the guy in charge, but he really didn't seem to have a direction for the volunteers. The So i started out helping Lorrie with the Forks. Lorrie was one of the ladies i met the first time i volunteered. Her friend Bev didn't make it this week. About 6:05 i asked him what we were doing and Marcus asked me if we usually went out in the dining area. We said yes so he put me on trays (handing them out). So i did that. Easy job but so busy today.
We served 189 people and some of them twice. Went fast and smooth even though we ran out of forks! hahah but they wrapped more. Also ran out of Coffee, but we got more of that too. The biggest set back to serving food is the sugar. You wouldn't think so but everyone seems to want sugar.. wait they want 2 or 3 scoops. Well that really holds up a food line and the cooks said they will be talking to Trevell when he gets back about it. It is really the only thing that holds the serving back.
One of the people tried to come through the line (ok a few of them) a few times and some of the cooks were getting upset about that. They can eat what they want but they have to let everyone else get food before they get seconds. This is only fair and some of them just don''t care or don't get it.
I really do enjoy helping out and may help out a bit more in the winter. They really need people but i heard that Thanksgiving is already booked. That is awesome and amazing.
Will have to see whats available going forward but may just mark every Sunday mornings as my day. I hope some of my friends will help out too, i wont ask them but if they volunteer ill definitely sign them up.
OK making it quick.. I'm off to watch football.
Want to write about the 4 Year Anniversary of my Guild on World of Warcraft.
The Vikings lost already last Thursday in what was a poor outing. The game was very low scoring, but the Vikes didn't take advantage of all the opportunities. Oh well I hope they do well.
I arrived at about 5:32am in the parking lot. There were a lot of homeless people hanging out. It still is a bit intimidating when people come up to the car and tap on the window. I told them I am going to work and they leave me alone. Still have to watch my back as I walk up to the Mission.
So today a new person was in charge because Trevell went to The Crossing for something. Marcus was the name of the guy in charge, but he really didn't seem to have a direction for the volunteers. The So i started out helping Lorrie with the Forks. Lorrie was one of the ladies i met the first time i volunteered. Her friend Bev didn't make it this week. About 6:05 i asked him what we were doing and Marcus asked me if we usually went out in the dining area. We said yes so he put me on trays (handing them out). So i did that. Easy job but so busy today.
We served 189 people and some of them twice. Went fast and smooth even though we ran out of forks! hahah but they wrapped more. Also ran out of Coffee, but we got more of that too. The biggest set back to serving food is the sugar. You wouldn't think so but everyone seems to want sugar.. wait they want 2 or 3 scoops. Well that really holds up a food line and the cooks said they will be talking to Trevell when he gets back about it. It is really the only thing that holds the serving back.
One of the people tried to come through the line (ok a few of them) a few times and some of the cooks were getting upset about that. They can eat what they want but they have to let everyone else get food before they get seconds. This is only fair and some of them just don''t care or don't get it.
I really do enjoy helping out and may help out a bit more in the winter. They really need people but i heard that Thanksgiving is already booked. That is awesome and amazing.
Will have to see whats available going forward but may just mark every Sunday mornings as my day. I hope some of my friends will help out too, i wont ask them but if they volunteer ill definitely sign them up.
OK making it quick.. I'm off to watch football.
Want to write about the 4 Year Anniversary of my Guild on World of Warcraft.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Aug 29, 2010 Volunteering at The Crossing
Last Thursday I went to the Denver Rescue Mission website and was ready to sign up for Sunday volunteering. To my surprise there was no listing for Sunday Am service at the Lawrence St. shelter. I guess they were already filled up. Kinda disappointed, i looked to see what else they had. The good thing was that on the DRM site there are many volunteering opportunities. The DRM is associated with The Crossing which is their long term rehabilitation and family housing location. This place is away from down town and a closer to my house just a bit. I want to keep doing this as often as possible, and you know how you skip doing something once and then you just tend to find other excuses not to go. So I signed up.
I really didn't know what The Crossing was about but i figured it was there helping people.
The night before I didn't wanna be late and I didn't really do anything the night before. I stayed home and played video games with some friends. Modern Warfare 2 is such a fun game and it gives me a simple release of energy. I always play with my friends whenever they are available. Mike, Eric, Lane, Johnon, Brian, and a few other people often get on to play. The game can suck time away just as much as World of Warcraft. So I ended up playing until about 12:30am. Knowing i had to get up at 4:30 I zipped to bed. Falling asleep almost immediately and poof, the alarm goes off i do not know what happened but i woke up around 4:50 so i had to hurry up and get dressed. Washed my face and took off.
Driving up to The Crossing I instantly noticed a bunch of differences between the Lawrence shelter. There was no security patrolling outside, and absolutely no homeless people hanging around. The Crossing is an old converted hotel that was purchased by the Denver Rescue Mission to rehabilitate and assist people in need. It is away from down town apparently as to keep those trying to rehabilitate themselves from the seduction of trouble downtown. It must work as there were no people hanging around the location.
The air was crisp and as I pulled up someone else did. I assumed that whoever was in the car also was volunteering. As I walked in I noticed that there was a set of rail road tracks across the street. Funny how i just noticed it as i had to pass over them to get to the place. The doors were automatic and there were a few men sitting around at some tables.
Not know who to talk to I walked up to them and asked who I need to speak to and this large guy with a nose ring says "That's me!" in a gruff voice. This guy had a very close to a shaved head but with some hair, and red shirt with flames. The shirt perfectly matched the rest of him. He seemed a bit rude but gave me the sign up sheet and told me to go to the kitchen. At the kitchen I met Alex who was the only one in the kitchen. He told me that I was to serve food today and had me help bring out a few trays of food.
Breakfast was the following: Country potatoes, grits, pancakes, fruit (cantaloupe), cereal, yogurt, and donuts. The breakfast seemed surprisingly very good and seemed like a lot of it. The potatoes were clearly drenched in butter and fried. the grits looked really dry like mashed potatoes, they didn't look appealing to me at all. The pancakes looked and smelled awesome. I saw Alex making the pancakes and he is really good at it. I was impressed with the breakfast so far.
Some other volunteers there were a family of three. A mother, father and son who was about 14 all were there because the father liked to help out. He had volunteered at the Denver Rescue Mission and they thought it was a good family thing to do. I think that is pretty awesome. There was also someone there named Matt, whom i thought at first was a volunteer, but I found out a bit later he was actually working at The Crossing to get his way into the program. Chris, Charles and Leta (the family) all seemed pretty nice. I served the hot food with Chris, while the father (Charles) was in the kitchen helping Alex. Leta was on yogurt and fruit.
As we got started I was psyching myself up for a fast paced slam bang of a food service. It didn't quite turn out that way. There were about 5 or so people hanging out right as we started and we served them. Me on potatoes and grits and Chris on Pancakes and Syrup. After a bit Alex brought out some chopped ham with potato. After the first five were served another person came in and got food, another and another. It was then i realized that people weren't all lined up like at the Lawrence Shelter. These people strolled in as they felt like it got coffee hung out. We weren't that busy so it didn't matter. In all i think we served about 60 people in a one and a half hour shift we would do that may in less then 30 min at the Lawrence shelter.
Another thing that I noticed was that we served food like a lunch counter (its what it was really) and it was so laid back. Do you want Potatoes? Sure.. How about grits. Eww.. no, but ill take an extra pancake. It's kinda funny to see people come in and get breakfast in their pajamas. This is when I realized that this place is really different then Lawrence shelter.
There was a family that came to eat with two little kids, and a husband and wife eating together. These people were here for the assisted housing program. While another guy came in that was working on getting a job and needed a sack lunch (those are provided here). The guy that greeted me when I arrived came through the line and he was much less gruff. He chatted small talk and said he was finishing a 12 hr shift. Seemed really nice.
I was feeling very tired and the slow pace was really making me want to move around. We sometimes went 5 min without someone coming to get food. That being said there was a little drama. The milk was bad so no cereal and no sugar for the grits (apparently grits are good with butter and sugar, I learned something new!). With no sugar or milk there was not creme or sugar for the coffee. Alex came out and said "It's what we got, you know we work on donations" So a few coffee drinkers grumbled and shuffled back to their seats. A bit later Alex walked out with a paper plate full of individual serving flavored creamer packets. Some of the people jumped on them, while others turned their noses up. It was actually pretty funny seeing some of these grown men angry about coffee.
After a while, Chris took a break and Matt came to help out while he was gone. I really got to know what The Crossing was in this time as Matt was very open. He said that he is whats called a "PC". What that means exactly I didn't know, but he did say that he is what they call people that haven't gotten into the actual program yet. They are people that can stay at The Crossing, but have to work six days a week until they get into the actual program. Matt said that that could be around 120 days because there is a wait list very long for people to get into the program. He said it may be a drag, but it's better then being on the street and he is actually trying to turn his life around.
So now what the program is actually about is that it is a long term rehabilitation and education program for people that have or had problems including drug and alcohol problems, homelessness, certain mental illnesses, and other things that have in some way or another let them slip through the cracks in society. This is a program designed to get them back on their feet and help them get into society. Matt says that you have like a 6-10 month program where you take classes and work and study with people kind of like school. Once you graduate the program gives you not only some money you can put in the bank but also a running car. This sounds like a pretty good deal for someone that has lost their way.
Matt says work is a drag but its so much better then where he was. He has had a lot of issues and had a falling out with his father that pushed him back to drinking. He said he got back on the program, but may be another 100 days til he gets into the actual program part. He also says some of the other people in the program are homeless people just trying to get out of the weather for the winter. He says it's common and that those people will leave around spring time. Kind of makes ya think if some people want to be homeless.
At about 7:15 we stopped serving and started bringing everything back to the kitchen. I helped wrap up some of the food to be served later. Got a whole lot of thanks, even from some of the diners. Was pretty nice but I was so tired I wanted to go home and sleep! Leaving the sun was up and shining brightly. What a beautiful new day and did a good deed.
I really didn't know what The Crossing was about but i figured it was there helping people.
The night before I didn't wanna be late and I didn't really do anything the night before. I stayed home and played video games with some friends. Modern Warfare 2 is such a fun game and it gives me a simple release of energy. I always play with my friends whenever they are available. Mike, Eric, Lane, Johnon, Brian, and a few other people often get on to play. The game can suck time away just as much as World of Warcraft. So I ended up playing until about 12:30am. Knowing i had to get up at 4:30 I zipped to bed. Falling asleep almost immediately and poof, the alarm goes off i do not know what happened but i woke up around 4:50 so i had to hurry up and get dressed. Washed my face and took off.
Driving up to The Crossing I instantly noticed a bunch of differences between the Lawrence shelter. There was no security patrolling outside, and absolutely no homeless people hanging around. The Crossing is an old converted hotel that was purchased by the Denver Rescue Mission to rehabilitate and assist people in need. It is away from down town apparently as to keep those trying to rehabilitate themselves from the seduction of trouble downtown. It must work as there were no people hanging around the location.
The air was crisp and as I pulled up someone else did. I assumed that whoever was in the car also was volunteering. As I walked in I noticed that there was a set of rail road tracks across the street. Funny how i just noticed it as i had to pass over them to get to the place. The doors were automatic and there were a few men sitting around at some tables.
Not know who to talk to I walked up to them and asked who I need to speak to and this large guy with a nose ring says "That's me!" in a gruff voice. This guy had a very close to a shaved head but with some hair, and red shirt with flames. The shirt perfectly matched the rest of him. He seemed a bit rude but gave me the sign up sheet and told me to go to the kitchen. At the kitchen I met Alex who was the only one in the kitchen. He told me that I was to serve food today and had me help bring out a few trays of food.
Breakfast was the following: Country potatoes, grits, pancakes, fruit (cantaloupe), cereal, yogurt, and donuts. The breakfast seemed surprisingly very good and seemed like a lot of it. The potatoes were clearly drenched in butter and fried. the grits looked really dry like mashed potatoes, they didn't look appealing to me at all. The pancakes looked and smelled awesome. I saw Alex making the pancakes and he is really good at it. I was impressed with the breakfast so far.
Some other volunteers there were a family of three. A mother, father and son who was about 14 all were there because the father liked to help out. He had volunteered at the Denver Rescue Mission and they thought it was a good family thing to do. I think that is pretty awesome. There was also someone there named Matt, whom i thought at first was a volunteer, but I found out a bit later he was actually working at The Crossing to get his way into the program. Chris, Charles and Leta (the family) all seemed pretty nice. I served the hot food with Chris, while the father (Charles) was in the kitchen helping Alex. Leta was on yogurt and fruit.
As we got started I was psyching myself up for a fast paced slam bang of a food service. It didn't quite turn out that way. There were about 5 or so people hanging out right as we started and we served them. Me on potatoes and grits and Chris on Pancakes and Syrup. After a bit Alex brought out some chopped ham with potato. After the first five were served another person came in and got food, another and another. It was then i realized that people weren't all lined up like at the Lawrence Shelter. These people strolled in as they felt like it got coffee hung out. We weren't that busy so it didn't matter. In all i think we served about 60 people in a one and a half hour shift we would do that may in less then 30 min at the Lawrence shelter.
Another thing that I noticed was that we served food like a lunch counter (its what it was really) and it was so laid back. Do you want Potatoes? Sure.. How about grits. Eww.. no, but ill take an extra pancake. It's kinda funny to see people come in and get breakfast in their pajamas. This is when I realized that this place is really different then Lawrence shelter.
There was a family that came to eat with two little kids, and a husband and wife eating together. These people were here for the assisted housing program. While another guy came in that was working on getting a job and needed a sack lunch (those are provided here). The guy that greeted me when I arrived came through the line and he was much less gruff. He chatted small talk and said he was finishing a 12 hr shift. Seemed really nice.
I was feeling very tired and the slow pace was really making me want to move around. We sometimes went 5 min without someone coming to get food. That being said there was a little drama. The milk was bad so no cereal and no sugar for the grits (apparently grits are good with butter and sugar, I learned something new!). With no sugar or milk there was not creme or sugar for the coffee. Alex came out and said "It's what we got, you know we work on donations" So a few coffee drinkers grumbled and shuffled back to their seats. A bit later Alex walked out with a paper plate full of individual serving flavored creamer packets. Some of the people jumped on them, while others turned their noses up. It was actually pretty funny seeing some of these grown men angry about coffee.
After a while, Chris took a break and Matt came to help out while he was gone. I really got to know what The Crossing was in this time as Matt was very open. He said that he is whats called a "PC". What that means exactly I didn't know, but he did say that he is what they call people that haven't gotten into the actual program yet. They are people that can stay at The Crossing, but have to work six days a week until they get into the actual program. Matt said that that could be around 120 days because there is a wait list very long for people to get into the program. He said it may be a drag, but it's better then being on the street and he is actually trying to turn his life around.
So now what the program is actually about is that it is a long term rehabilitation and education program for people that have or had problems including drug and alcohol problems, homelessness, certain mental illnesses, and other things that have in some way or another let them slip through the cracks in society. This is a program designed to get them back on their feet and help them get into society. Matt says that you have like a 6-10 month program where you take classes and work and study with people kind of like school. Once you graduate the program gives you not only some money you can put in the bank but also a running car. This sounds like a pretty good deal for someone that has lost their way.
Matt says work is a drag but its so much better then where he was. He has had a lot of issues and had a falling out with his father that pushed him back to drinking. He said he got back on the program, but may be another 100 days til he gets into the actual program part. He also says some of the other people in the program are homeless people just trying to get out of the weather for the winter. He says it's common and that those people will leave around spring time. Kind of makes ya think if some people want to be homeless.
At about 7:15 we stopped serving and started bringing everything back to the kitchen. I helped wrap up some of the food to be served later. Got a whole lot of thanks, even from some of the diners. Was pretty nice but I was so tired I wanted to go home and sleep! Leaving the sun was up and shining brightly. What a beautiful new day and did a good deed.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Denver Rescue Mission Volunteering 8.22.2010
Today I again volunteered down at the Denver Rescue Mission. Running on less then four hours of sleep, but had a great night before.
Saturday night got picked up by Mike and Jen and we rode together and were to meet a number of our other friends. Mike and Jen just got married last month, very good friends and I was very glad that they were willing to drive because I knew I was volunteering very early.
We left at about four and got there early had a great time and ate a crazy ton of crab legs at the buffet. Then went and lost 100 bucks on blackjack (grr i hate you blackjack) but at least i won about 70 bucks earlier playing roulette and craps. Let me tell ya some people just don't know etiquette, but ill get into that another time.
We left around 11:30 and got home around 12:45am. Knowing I had to get up at 4:30 I fed the kitty and washed up. Hopping in bed I was afraid I wouldn't wake up in time. Setting the alarm extra loud I feel asleep. Last thing I remember was listening to some movie i cannot remember now.
Woke up at 4:38 and honestly I could not feel my legs. After a few minutes I was ok, although i was scared I might fall asleep on the way there. The air was crisp and chilly perfect and very dark.
Upon arriving, I checked in and was immediately put on Pastries. Trevell is getting to know me and just told me what to do. I did the first tray and then he put me on coffee plus milk and sugar. I noticed that everything is never the exact same. I guess it is all dependent upon the supplies on hand. No milk last week, milk this week. Not only was there sugar, but a whole box of sweetener. Having to deal with coffee seems to be the busiest job there. Filling up cups, handing them out, giving sweetener or sugar, some people want 'creme' so adding milk. Making sure I have more coffee to hand out. I am supposed to hand the cups to the people as per the rules, but some of them just reach out, some even grab for the sugar right over me. It's kinda funny and I let them. It's not that I mind at all as they are welcome to however much and whatever they want.
I have to say, serving food is an adrenaline rush. I was super tired, yet didn't feel it once while i was working. It reminded me of staying up til 2 am back in high school and then having to open at Burger King. Being dead tired while doing the opening prep, but going full bore once breakfast rush started all the way to crashing once leaving after the shift is over. Back then I had the energy to do that and barely miss a beat (i did it a bit too much.) Now that I'm older, and I could barely drive home. Sleepy, but had a great feeling.
It is a interesting to me how well mannered and patient the people coming in for a meal are. They stand in line without any complaints, sometimes for quite a while if the meat is being cooked and not ready yet, or if someone takes extra long picking out a pastry (not to mention coffee being backed up). Clearly they are just thankful to be there
This time there were a few volunteers that came as a family. A girl Jen, her brother Ryan (i think) and their father was there helping out. Jen said they come a few times a month and like to help out. She wants to intern at the Denver Rescue Mission. That sounds pretty cool. Two of the three ladies that volunteered a few weeks ago were back, as they said they would be there every other Sunday. These ladies are older and very nice. The one that hands out trays asked why I was not in the kitchen. She said JT and I did such a great job last time, however I noticed this Sunday the food was flying out very fast. Also the guy doing the community service was there. He had a much brighter attitude of what hew as doing then the last week which was really cool.
After breakfast was served Trevell wheeled out a pan with ham in it. He yelled out to everyone that there was extra food and for people to take it all. I honestly thought that people would rush over to take as much as they could. I imagined a great mob piling over themselves trying to get the extras. Clearly i knew that would not be the case, but to me, it was curious that only a few people came up to get anything. It seemed as if they were satisfied just getting a meal and didn't want to take extra. I helped bus tables and turn chairs over. Then went to the side room and helped do more pastries. I must say i am getting to be a whiz and Trevell said I could do it whatever way I wanted as I was doing great.
Trevell called me by name a few times and said that he likes the Sunday team (I'm on a team yay!) He asked me when I would be around and I told him as often as I could. Previously he said he didn't want to over work me because he wanted me to come back and I told him I'll do whatever he needs done in the kitchen. Got a pat on the back for that and a big thanks. People are always thanking you there. Whether its just courtesy or something their boss asked them to do, it felt great. The people getting the food aren't told to do that and yet i still got a large number of thank yous and a few "God Bless You"s. Maybe that's why I wasn't tired, energized by good feelings.
Before I left Trevell came up and handed me a ticket to the Rockies game on Tuesday. He said someone donated 200 tickets and he wanted everyone to have one. This was really nice. The more I think about it the more I like helping out at the Denver Rescue Mission. It is clearly unlike a normal job because the only payment you get is the satisfaction of feeling amazing. There is no petty infighting between employees, everyone just appreciates you being there. I cannot tell you how good it feels to help people and they actually appreciate it. I cant wait to see what next week brings....
Saturday night got picked up by Mike and Jen and we rode together and were to meet a number of our other friends. Mike and Jen just got married last month, very good friends and I was very glad that they were willing to drive because I knew I was volunteering very early.
We left at about four and got there early had a great time and ate a crazy ton of crab legs at the buffet. Then went and lost 100 bucks on blackjack (grr i hate you blackjack) but at least i won about 70 bucks earlier playing roulette and craps. Let me tell ya some people just don't know etiquette, but ill get into that another time.
We left around 11:30 and got home around 12:45am. Knowing I had to get up at 4:30 I fed the kitty and washed up. Hopping in bed I was afraid I wouldn't wake up in time. Setting the alarm extra loud I feel asleep. Last thing I remember was listening to some movie i cannot remember now.
Woke up at 4:38 and honestly I could not feel my legs. After a few minutes I was ok, although i was scared I might fall asleep on the way there. The air was crisp and chilly perfect and very dark.
Upon arriving, I checked in and was immediately put on Pastries. Trevell is getting to know me and just told me what to do. I did the first tray and then he put me on coffee plus milk and sugar. I noticed that everything is never the exact same. I guess it is all dependent upon the supplies on hand. No milk last week, milk this week. Not only was there sugar, but a whole box of sweetener. Having to deal with coffee seems to be the busiest job there. Filling up cups, handing them out, giving sweetener or sugar, some people want 'creme' so adding milk. Making sure I have more coffee to hand out. I am supposed to hand the cups to the people as per the rules, but some of them just reach out, some even grab for the sugar right over me. It's kinda funny and I let them. It's not that I mind at all as they are welcome to however much and whatever they want.
I have to say, serving food is an adrenaline rush. I was super tired, yet didn't feel it once while i was working. It reminded me of staying up til 2 am back in high school and then having to open at Burger King. Being dead tired while doing the opening prep, but going full bore once breakfast rush started all the way to crashing once leaving after the shift is over. Back then I had the energy to do that and barely miss a beat (i did it a bit too much.) Now that I'm older, and I could barely drive home. Sleepy, but had a great feeling.
It is a interesting to me how well mannered and patient the people coming in for a meal are. They stand in line without any complaints, sometimes for quite a while if the meat is being cooked and not ready yet, or if someone takes extra long picking out a pastry (not to mention coffee being backed up). Clearly they are just thankful to be there
This time there were a few volunteers that came as a family. A girl Jen, her brother Ryan (i think) and their father was there helping out. Jen said they come a few times a month and like to help out. She wants to intern at the Denver Rescue Mission. That sounds pretty cool. Two of the three ladies that volunteered a few weeks ago were back, as they said they would be there every other Sunday. These ladies are older and very nice. The one that hands out trays asked why I was not in the kitchen. She said JT and I did such a great job last time, however I noticed this Sunday the food was flying out very fast. Also the guy doing the community service was there. He had a much brighter attitude of what hew as doing then the last week which was really cool.
After breakfast was served Trevell wheeled out a pan with ham in it. He yelled out to everyone that there was extra food and for people to take it all. I honestly thought that people would rush over to take as much as they could. I imagined a great mob piling over themselves trying to get the extras. Clearly i knew that would not be the case, but to me, it was curious that only a few people came up to get anything. It seemed as if they were satisfied just getting a meal and didn't want to take extra. I helped bus tables and turn chairs over. Then went to the side room and helped do more pastries. I must say i am getting to be a whiz and Trevell said I could do it whatever way I wanted as I was doing great.
Trevell called me by name a few times and said that he likes the Sunday team (I'm on a team yay!) He asked me when I would be around and I told him as often as I could. Previously he said he didn't want to over work me because he wanted me to come back and I told him I'll do whatever he needs done in the kitchen. Got a pat on the back for that and a big thanks. People are always thanking you there. Whether its just courtesy or something their boss asked them to do, it felt great. The people getting the food aren't told to do that and yet i still got a large number of thank yous and a few "God Bless You"s. Maybe that's why I wasn't tired, energized by good feelings.
Before I left Trevell came up and handed me a ticket to the Rockies game on Tuesday. He said someone donated 200 tickets and he wanted everyone to have one. This was really nice. The more I think about it the more I like helping out at the Denver Rescue Mission. It is clearly unlike a normal job because the only payment you get is the satisfaction of feeling amazing. There is no petty infighting between employees, everyone just appreciates you being there. I cannot tell you how good it feels to help people and they actually appreciate it. I cant wait to see what next week brings....
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