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Project C.U.R.E.

Saturday, April 19, 2008 in fbcc, hannah, homelessness, phoebe, travel, women, work | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | | No comments

“A humanitarian.”  Heh, that’s what Jon-Erik commented when I said that I was off to volunteer at the Beacon after just volunteering at Project C.U.R.E.  Jessie had planned for the FBCC Career Group to volunteer at Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment, not Project Cure or Project CURE) this morning.  It’s like Medical Bridges, but based in Colorado, not Houston.  I was supposed to drive over to Jamie’s house so that I could drive (since she had mentioned needing more drivers).  However, I overslept due to staying up too late last night.  Charlene called me, so I called her back and asked whether they still needed me to go down to Sierra Plantation.  They said just to meet them at the building.  We pulled up at the same time (wow, that’s how far south they are) LOL.  After that we ate at la Madeleine (I got a pork florentine with roasted potatoes and green beans at 1246 for $12.98).  Jessie got a large tomato-basil soup, Annie and Sam got a bowl of soup, and Joe got a cup of soup.  I say just get the large if you plan on getting the bowl because they seemed almost the same amount, just a little more. 

Project C.U.R.E. was really fascinating for me because I could be around all the medical supplies and not have to worry about killing someone by tripping over lines or something (like I felt on my acute physical dysfunction rotation at St. Luke’s).  While sorting  through all the bags of donations (or they would’ve been in the trash), I could identify some of the supplies (since Annie Dai works in business everything was new to hear but she’s one smart gal I’m sure she’ll learn it faster than me).  One of the ladies wearing glasses was from Hawaii, and she teared up just mentioning the injustice to women and how far her family’s come (she’s the first in her family to be able to go to college).  She told us to take advantage of what we’ve been given, like a job, etc.  “I sound like your mother, don’t I?” she remarked afterwards, smiling.  Another white lady was more laid-back, and she’d calmly let us know what went where.  I ended up sorting one bin because I didn’t realize that they had expiration dates on them (for the air bubbles in the liquid).

Then I planned on going directly to the Beacon but got lost and figured I might as well return to the southwest since I was headed in that direction anyway.  I took a few-minute nap outside Hannah’s house then Linton tapped on my car window and he drove Hannah and me to pick up Chris to go to the Beacon.  I think this is Chris’s first time.  I wanted to see his new apartment, but we just got to see the lobby (spring/lime green theme) and the public kitchen room (with free internet) instead. 

Brian Thao-Huane was in town, and he came with Craig.  Jesslyn came, too!  She helped Brian find some church clothes for one of the later ladies who came in to take a shower.  Brian Lee was there, as usual.  Linton and Chris were grabbed to clean and disinfect and water/mop the kitchen (hefty labor, dudes).  Hannah stood at the coffee condiments stand…not very exciting, but Jesslyn was cool and went over to talk with her.  This shift was different because it’s from 3 to 5 pm, after most of the people have gone.  Phoebe, BTH, and I helped with cleaning the tables, throwing away trash, using the broom, and putting up and setting out the chairs and tables.  Phoebe of course went and talked with one of the unkempt ladies sitting near a pillar–you’ll have to ask Phoebe about the lady’s life.  One of the guys asked me to take a picture of him, such a ham!  He was very courteous, drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper, guarding his belongings.  He used the phone (I think he uses the Beacon as his, contact information, you know).  He said he had just set up an email account with the Beacon a week or two ago but forgot the address so I couldn’t email the picture to him.  I find most of the people I meet who come to these shelters, I guess they have to keep joking and smiling otherwise their soul will be cut down and won’t be able to continue.  One table was surrounded with them playing dominoes.  It’s interesting how this population just loves dominoes. 

Afterwards we ate at…after some internet searching:  Distrit 7 Grill (what’s most prominent is the sign that reads “Zesty food.  Zesty life”).  I got a Turkey Meatloaf Lasagna for $8, lol, because of it’s name.  Not bad.   It was Hannah, Phoebe, Linton, BTH, and Craig.  Boy, I’m way too tired to go to Jeff’s birthday party.