Jackson County, MO - Environment

So far this weekend has been an eye-opening experience. From everyone being basically total strangers with each other, to opening up and coming together to serve a purpose greater than each of us, it has been a truly exhilarating experience. When we were volunteering at a homeless shelter one employee even asked the group "Are y'all court appointed?". Most find it hard to believe that college students would take time out of their lives to even bother serving the community, and it was especially rewarding to show them differently.

We've  engaged in three service events so far ranging from raking leaves for the elderly (Extreme Yard Rakeover), to sorting through clothing at "Restart homeless shelter", to finishing up the evening with serving a meal to patient's families and staff at a Hospice House in Kansas City. Each event was extremely different, but equally rewarding.  

Not to mention the awesome BBQ we had for lunch! J

Our group as a whole became aware of issues that never necessarily presented themselves to us in daily life. We became more conscious of how truly fragile the line is between being affluent in life and homeless. We got to see the impact and joy that came with the older women who appreciated the extra helping hand to get a task done that they were physically unable to do themselves. We experienced the gratitude that comes from the staff and families of people who are entering their last phase of life and are searching for peace. Overall it was just a truly worthwhile experience.

Despite all we gained from the day of service though, we do realize that there are many issues people are not aware of within the community and the only true way to understand it and bring awareness is to experience it on your own. Most of us didn't understand what went on behind the doors of a homeless shelter until we sat down and talked with the volunteer specialist named Tim. Tim brought light on the subject of how many become homeless, and erased the line between the homeless and ourselves. He explained how us as humans are very dignified people, and whenever we fail to produce shelter and basic necessities for our families and ourselves, we lose a piece of our dignity little by little.   He also pointed out that homeless shelters have plenty of food, plenty of clothes, and plenty of toiletries; what they lack is hope.  If we can motivate someone struggling by giving them a sense of hope we will be so much more successful. 

"We need to decide if we are serving for ourselves, or if we are serving for other people." –Timothy (the guy from ReStart)

Many of us are unable to put ourselves in other peoples shoes, but in order to truly serve and be empathetic with others we need to at least try. We need to stop dividing ourselves and distancing ourselves from other people due to different circumstances and backgrounds in life, and start making connections with one another.
Not only have we had an amazing day today… I think we could all say that we are becoming super close and sharing plenty of personal stories. 

So far this weekend has been an eye-opening experience. From everyone being basically total strangers with each other, to opening up and coming together to serve a purpose greater than each of us, it has been a truly exhilarating experience. When we were volunteering at a homeless shelter one employee even asked the group "Are y'all court appointed?". Most find it hard to believe that college students would take time out of their lives to even bother serving the community, and it was especially rewarding to show them differently.

We've  engaged in three service events so far ranging from raking leaves for the elderly (Extreme Yard Rakeover), to sorting through clothing at "Restart homeless shelter", to finishing up the evening with serving a meal to patient's families and staff at a Hospice House in Kansas City. Each event was extremely different, but equally rewarding.  

Not to mention the awesome BBQ we had for lunch! J

Our group as a whole became aware of issues that never necessarily presented themselves to us in daily life. We became more conscious of how truly fragile the line is between being affluent in life and homeless. We got to see the impact and joy that came with the older women who appreciated the extra helping hand to get a task done that they were physically unable to do themselves. We experienced the gratitude that comes from the staff and families of people who are entering their last phase of life and are searching for peace. Overall it was just a truly worthwhile experience.

Despite all we gained from the day of service though, we do realize that there are many issues people are not aware of within the community and the only true way to understand it and bring awareness is to experience it on your own. Most of us didn't understand what went on behind the doors of a homeless shelter until we sat down and talked with the volunteer specialist named Tim. Tim brought light on the subject of how many become homeless, and erased the line between the homeless and ourselves. He explained how us as humans are very dignified people, and whenever we fail to produce shelter and basic necessities for our families and ourselves, we lose a piece of our dignity little by little.   He also pointed out that homeless shelters have plenty of food, plenty of clothes, and plenty of toiletries; what they lack is hope.  If we can motivate someone struggling by giving them a sense of hope we will be so much more successful. 

"We need to decide if we are serving for ourselves, or if we are serving for other people." –Timothy (the guy from ReStart)

Many of us are unable to put ourselves in other peoples shoes, but in order to truly serve and be empathetic with others we need to at least try. We need to stop dividing ourselves and distancing ourselves from other people due to different circumstances and backgrounds in life, and start making connections with one another.
Not only have we had an amazing day today… I think we could all say that we are becoming super close and sharing plenty of personal stories. 

Lucie and Michael on the first night out!

The before!
The after!

Site leader LOVE

Cooking dinner at KC Hospice House!


Anna Koester
Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
Mizzou Alternative Breaks-Site Leader
Honors College
Nursing Christian Fellowship - Vice President 
Phone: (636)-295-1380
University of Missouri Columbia





From: Koester, Anna M. (MU-Student)
Sent: Saturday, November 7, 2015 11:13 PM
To: Brown, Kaiya S. (MU-Student)
Subject: JACKSON COUNTY!!

So far this weekend has been an eye-opening experience. From everyone being basically total strangers with each other, to opening up and coming together to serve a purpose greater than each of us, it has been a truly exhilarating experience. When we were volunteering at a homeless shelter one employee even asked the group "Are y'all court appointed?". Most find it hard to believe that college students would take time out of their lives to even bother serving the community, and it was especially rewarding to show them differently.

We've  engaged in three service events so far ranging from raking leaves for the elderly (Extreme Yard Rakeover), to sorting through clothing at "Restart homeless shelter", to finishing up the evening with serving a meal to patient's families and staff at a Hospice House in Kansas City. Each event was extremely different, but equally rewarding.  

Not to mention the awesome BBQ we had for lunch! J

Our group as a whole became aware of issues that never necessarily presented themselves to us in daily life. We became more conscious of how truly fragile the line is between being affluent in life and homeless. We got to see the impact and joy that came with the older women who appreciated the extra helping hand to get a task done that they were physically unable to do themselves. We experienced the gratitude that comes from the staff and families of people who are entering their last phase of life and are searching for peace. Overall it was just a truly worthwhile experience.

Despite all we gained from the day of service though, we do realize that there are many issues people are not aware of within the community and the only true way to understand it and bring awareness is to experience it on your own. Most of us didn't understand what went on behind the doors of a homeless shelter until we sat down and talked with the volunteer specialist named Tim. Tim brought light on the subject of how many become homeless, and erased the line between the homeless and ourselves. He explained how us as humans are very dignified people, and whenever we fail to produce shelter and basic necessities for our families and ourselves, we lose a piece of our dignity little by little.   He also pointed out that homeless shelters have plenty of food, plenty of clothes, and plenty of toiletries; what they lack is hope.  If we can motivate someone struggling by giving them a sense of hope we will be so much more successful. 

"We need to decide if we are serving for ourselves, or if we are serving for other people." –Timothy (the guy from ReStart)

Many of us are unable to put ourselves in other peoples shoes, but in order to truly serve and be empathetic with others we need to at least try. We need to stop dividing ourselves and distancing ourselves from other people due to different circumstances and backgrounds in life, and start making connections with one another.
Not only have we had an amazing day today… I think we could all say that we are becoming super close and sharing plenty of personal stories. 

THIS IS THE BEFORE PICTURE!!!

30 BAGS OF LEAVES!!!

Cooking dinner at the Kansas City Hospice House!
Site leader LOVE J
Lucie and Michael on the first night out J



Anna Koester
Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
Mizzou Alternative Breaks-Site Leader
Honors College
Nursing Christian Fellowship - Vice President 
Phone: (636)-295-1380
University of Missouri Columbia


No comments:

Post a Comment