Kelly Thought's...

Day One: We arrived at the airport, some of us later than expected. Barack and Michelle Obama greeted us at the airport (see photo, actually their cardboard cut-outs did). After our photo-op we shuffled our way to the Metro. Our first experience on the Metro went badly..we got on the right line, but it was going in the wrong direction. In the end this turned out to be an hour detour before we arrived the Steinbruck Center. There was Lee-Ellen and her daughter waving to us through the rain and darkness..guiding our way to the center. We made it! After a quick dinner at the Thai Tanic (great Thai food, see photo) we settled in to our respective bunk beds and fell fast asleep. As I fell asleep thoughts of nervousness, excitement, and curiosity filled my mind. What would the next 5 days bring?

Day Two: Headed out to Martha's Table in the morning to help prepare food. Martha’s Table’s mission is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in the community to improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities. I helped to bag donuts, pastries, and muffins. We bagged so many of these and I kept thinking, "how unhealthy." I wish there was some way that these people could receive healthy desserts, but like other food pantries, I'm sure Martha's Table takes what it gets and lets nothing go to waste. After the pastries our second task was to prepare salads. The iceburg lettuce was green with a tannish hue. We would scoop us the lettuce and add a packet of dressing with a fork. Just as with the pastries I wished that these people had a salad that had a little more nutritional value. I left Martha's Table feeling a little sad that we couldn't have prepared a healthier meal. I suppose, any food is better than no food, right?

Day Three: I awoke in the morning after having a poor night's sleep. Several people were snoring and it kept me awake for several hours. Then I thought about the people sleeping on the streets. They sleep without a bed, without shelter from rain, wind, and cold. They are vulnerable to violence and attacks. How restful do they sleep at night?
We went for an AM civil rights walk and then met with the N Street Village nurse in preparation for our blood pressure clinic. N Street Village is right across the street from the Steinbruck Center (see photo for part of N Street VIllage) and offers services to homeless women. They provide housing, food, laundry, clothing, toiletries, showers, case management, referrals and support for housing, job training, medical and mental health needs, and substance abuse treatment. Our blood pressure clinic was located in the wellness center. This is where women can receive health services, yoga, acupuncture, and exercise. They also have classes in dance, arts, creative writing, and crafts. The blood pressure clinic went well. The women were open to knowing their blood pressure and learning about what their reading meant. After the clinic we sat down again with the nurse and discussed homelessness. We talked about issues of respect and dignity. This was an insightful discussion for me. It made me want to become more involved in the lives of homeless people in Minneapolis. She planted a seed in my head to want to look into the problems in my own area and further educate myself about the problems of homelessness.