I know that I have been changed

Elizabeth Minor

Recently, my service site held a volunteer “meet and greet” evening for new volunteers. The idea was to have a small get together where people who were interested in volunteering could make connections with staff and learn about the volunteer opportunities that were available. During the course of the evening I had a conversation with a young woman that really helped me understand how much I had learned in the last year and a half. She had a lot of questions about working with victims of domestic violence. I was able to offer explanations based on my experiences. I was really surprised to find that I had answers when a year and a half ago I had no idea about domestic violence, its prevalence in our society, or what survivors have to go through. 

               The thing that stood out most clearly to me as I reflected on my experiences, however, was how much of a blessing it has been to work at my site. By its nature the work is dynamic and unpredictable. I am constantly meeting new people, and when I meet a client I never know if I will be building a relationship over a few minutes, a few days, or several months. It helps me to appreciate even the smallest interactions and try to always bring a spirit of mercy to my work. I never know if I will get a second chance to make a first impression. The best part of my job is when I do get to work with people long term though. It is incredible to be able to witness survivors who blossom when they are finally in an environment where they feel safe and secure. I have also been able to see children growing physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have seen babies grow to toddlers, and children learn and develop. Recently I was approached by a child who wanted to show me how they could write their name (with most of the letters in order). A year ago when I met them they didn’t even know their ABCs. I was so proud of that kid!

               I know that I have been changed by my experiences working with women and children who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, and abuse. When I see them every day I grow to know them by their names and personalities. They have emotions and concerns, preferences and quirks just like anyone else you know. It becomes much more difficult to associate them with the stereotypes with which society labels them. I have heard other volunteers talk of being “ruined for life” by their year of service. I think that may be the case for me too. It is hard to imagine ever seeing the world in the same way!

Elizabeth Minor - SafeNet - Erie, PA

Navajo Time; Time Is Circular

Mary and Diane

            My first week on the reservation I learned a very important lesson that has stayed  with me throughout my experience; the lesson of “Navajo Time”.  On the surface, “Navajo Time” means that no one is on time for anything.  It does not matter if it is a professional or social  gathering the time of the meeting is all relative to what else is going on.  It is not that people do not show up to things but being on time is not the same kind of importance that I have been used to on the east coast.

From living on “Navajo Time” for the past 6 months (an adjustment I took to quite easily) I have come to learn a much deeper importance of this way of time.  Time, for the Navajo people, is circular.  It is not about getting from point A to point B in the fastest possible manner, it is about the process and the way you get from point A to point B.  This community truly lives a life style of living and finding beauty in the moment.  A lesson of patience that has made my experience that much more meaningful.

Mid November I was given the opportunity to go with a group of students from our school to the State Golf Special Olympics competition in Phoenix, AZ.  Now, a long trip with any group of people can be a little stressful but factor in a group of students with mental and physical disabilities and a culture that I am still adjusting to understand and I was a little worried about how smooth this trip would go.  We of course started our trip leaving late knowing we would not make it in time for the first meeting of teams.  None of the other chaperons seemed to be phased and I did my best to act the same but in the back of my mind the wheels of concern and planning ahead started turning.

Once we finally got a vehicle to use from the transportation department, all the bags packed, the medication box from the nurses office, on the road and together I quickly lost track of what I had in mind for plans and productivity.  I was lost in songs we were singing as a car, funny stories we were sharing about our family and friends, and the funny quick breaks we took road side to stretch.  Before I knew it we were there and yes we were late to the meeting but it worked.  We made it for what we needed to make it there for and even better we made connections with each other that made the trip the wonderful memory that we still are able to live together. 

Mary, Allisyn, and Bridget

I did not want to be apart of Mercy Volunteer Corps to get to the end result of being home and saying I did it; I wanted to truly live the experience that I was blessed to be apart of in a day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute way.  The time here has been about the journey, about growing in community, creating lasting relationships, and working to give the best of me and the talents I have been blessed with to better the social norm.  Living through “Navajo Time” has challenged me to embrace the rough times with the same love and attention that I would the good times, and appreciate those who are with me throughout it all.

Mary O'Neil - St. Michaels Association for Special Education - St. Michaels, AZ