University of Memphis Alternative Spring Break 2013: It's better to give than to receive.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

It's better to give than to receive.

Hi. My name is Kyuna Sims and I am a sophomore Political Science and Spanish double major. I decided to sign up for Alternative Spring Break because I genuinely enjoy giving back to the community. I've only visited Atlanta once and I'm so happy that I decided to make the decision of being a part of this wonderful journey. We've visited a couple of sites in Atlanta and they've been extremely fun thus far. We attended the Atlanta Community Food Bank and it was a very insightful trip for me especially since I've never been to a food bank before. I took away so many things that I was unaware about and I'm glad that I'm informed about it so I can start making changes in the community of Memphis. One of the misconceptions that most people have is that the homeless are the only ones that are hungry. Yet, actually we learned that the working class and the children/youth are the two largest group that undergo hunger. Unfortunately many families are living paycheck to paycheck and it's not enough to support their families. I believe this is a huge issue that needs to be tackled and it can't be done overnight so before I starting informing others about it, I have to make a change and do something first. Once we get back to Memphis, my plans are to volunteer more at the Mid South Food Bank and spread the word to my friends, family members, school, and the community so that they are informed about the issues going on that ultimately affect the community as a whole. Attending Covenant House of Georgia also had a huge influence on me while vacationing here in Atlanta. I'm even considering changing my major mainly in part because this program had such a positive affect on me. I made such an amazing connection with the youth and I was so happy to find that they were planning on moving to a new facility that will house more runaway youth and encourage them to find a job, go to school, and get their life on a better track. Hearing them share their stories with us and how they still remained positive made me realize that I can see myself working with youth because all they need is motivation and someone to depend on. Over the course of the Alternative Spring Break program I've grown as a person. Volunteering and working with these different organizations and groups makes me more appreciative and want to give back to my community so I can make it a better environment. Atlanta is such a prosperous city with many places that allows volunteers to come in and engage in activities that will benefit the community. I believe the trip has made me reevaluate what my true calling is in life and I feel it is serving my community and making it the best place it can be.

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Today I Learned...(Atlanta)

...the exact house Martin Luther King, Jr. stayed in
...how Coretta Scott met Dr. King
...that the Olympics was in Atlanta
...that Dr. king had the same major as me
...that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endured more than I imagined. I didn't know he had been stabbed or that the night of the Mountaintop speech, he knew he was going to die
...that Martin Luther King, Jr. Spent time in India studying the ways of Gandhi
...that Ebenezer Baptist was where Dr. King's father and grandfather preached
...that Dr. King was ordained as a minister at age 19
...that Gandhi played a big part in the Martin Luther King non-violence movement
...that Martin Luther King, Jr. entered Morehouse at age 15 and graduated with his degree at 19
...I knew that Rosa Parks made an impact, but I didn't know how much
...that Martin Luther King, Jr. got a threat call and was going to give up, but he prayed about it and didn't give up
...it's important to adapt to new places, experiences, and people
...there is a mall underground
...how close Martin Luther King, Jr.'s community was
...that Martin Luther King, Jr. was just like us and all of could make an impact
...that the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) still exists
...that Coretta Scott and Dr. King were both born in Atlanta, but met in Boston
...a lot about advertising and marketing and how complicated and how much work it is. You have to face rejection, but take the positive from it
...more of how to communicate
...to be patient
...to keep truckin' and remember why you're here
...how difficult it would be to be a teacher if you don't have lesson plans
...what dignity means
...that you can have fun when things aren't going the way you planned
...that weather really does have an effect on your mood
...to remain positive in any situation
...that it's important to be appreciative
...that I really need to work on my facial expressions
...to make themost of every opportunity
...that it is good to have a good support system
...to be more appreciative of what I have & not take things for granted
...don't judge a book by it's cover
...to always lend a helping hand to people; even if they seem to not want help, be an option for them
...even if someone says they want to be by themselves, they want to be heard
...there are no excuses; even in troubling times you can be salutatorian
...to think through hunger; it's not just homeless people
...about the Covenant House and the Food Bank
...if you're doing good things, it can grow and have an impact
...that Covenant House is national
...I always knew the working poor were hungry, just didn't know it was such a big number
...what a food bank actually is and what it does; I didn't know they had freezers & refrigerators or that other agencies get their food to distribute
...more about policies surrounding hunger & homelessness
...a lot of good things can come from having a challenge
...to be grateful for what I have
...about the USDA and the relationship between farm subsidies and social services like food stamps
...it's not always what you know, but who you know
...go in with a positive attitude, get positive results; go in with a negative attitude, get negative results
...how powerful networking is
...how intelligent 4th graders really are (2)
...business is personal
...if you do something out of the goodness of your heart, you will receive positive and open doors
...that I love working with kids
...that Operation Hope has an impact on kids
...we have a good chance for our future in these kids
...the importance of education and being a good example and living the life you speak; walking the walk and talking the talk
...always take opportunities given to you
...the impact of my presence on kids; plant a seed and be an example
...how rewarding it is to be a teacher
...not to over think things
...to have a positive attitude (2)
...how to really have fun
...that doing what others won't do will lead to opportunities (2)
...more about Hinduism
...people separate themselves for whatever reason, but we can bring people together to serve
...we're all the same people and we're all one; we can achieve more together
...always be prepared and know guidelines (2)
...the vision of Operation Street Harvest
...that there are male and female parts to cutting (and fitting) wood panels for flooring
...to not give up
...a little more about what I want to do in nonprofit as a volunteer coordinator
...how much work goes into preparing wood (for flooring)
...how much work, time, and preparation go into starting a business (3)
...I was reminded of the importance of giving people a second chance
...whatever you do, you should be passionate about it and not do it for the money (3)
...it's against the law to live under a bridge
...how big homelessness is
...about the Center fop Pan-Asian Community Services (2)
...that poverty affects all races
...to see a new perspective
...about the church (Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) & the history of the church (2)
...with hard work, you're still making an impact
...it's important to be passionate about something you really enjoy doing
...to make steps out of dirt
...to keep an open mind
...a little about the Catholic religion
...that all statues (in a Catholic church) are covered during Lent
...what Lent means
...the full-circle picture of non-profits and homelessness
...I was reminded about all the services that are needed in other languages

Today I Learned...(Memphis)

...to plant a tree, the hole should be as deep as the roots

...landscapers have a really, really hard job

...Memphis really is the beginning of the American music scene

...giving back to our own community can come in many forms

...Memphis music really did bring people together

...Shelby Farms Park used to be a farm for Shelby Co prisons

...Memphis Leadership Foundation rents houses to families in Orange Mound

...when you start bettering your community, others follow your lead

...just because you're retired, doesn't mean you can't Wii Bowl!

...our city can offer everything you can imagine

...how to play gin rummy

...how to order a Jerry's sno cone (supreme)

...how to make someone's day

...how to put others first, to share

...that MIFA has been around since 1968 after Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated

...delivering a meal can make someone's day

...our city changes through different lenses

...Martin Luther King Jr used to spend time at Four Way Restaurant in South Memphis

...that I need to step outside my comfort zone and explore!

Firsts...

Cleaning the inside and outside of abandoned homes (Memphis)

Eating BBQ Shop sandwiches (Memphis)

Planting trees (Memphis)

Visiting Shelby Farms Park (Memphis)

Visiting Caritas Village (Memphis)

Touring the Rock n Soul Museum (Memphis)

Visiting an assisted living community

Playing gin rummy

Eating a Dyer's burger

Seeing the I Love Memphis mural

Going to Jerry's Sno Cones

Delivering meals to seniors

Eating at Four Way Restaurant

Seeing the Peabody ducks and going on the Peabody roof

Riding the Main St trolley

Visiting Mud Island

Time at Martin Luther King's birthplace (ATL)
Time in Atlanta
Giving somebody my food (on the street) (ATL)
Time in Centennial Olympic Park (ATL)
Seeing an eternal flame (ATL)
Underground mall (ATL)
Time being in a thrift shop (ATL)
Time cooking (ATL)
Talking to kids from Atlanta
Making a plan to teach kids (ATL)
Riding a skateboard (ATL)
Calling for donations (ATL)
Using Publisher (ATL)
Going to a food bank
Getting complete strangers to open up to me
Helping cook for a big group
After today...
...I thought about changing my major (helping people, sociology, helping to change the world) (3)
...I confirmed my plan
...I want to look into what I can do to help start a non-profit
Teaching a class (4)
Attending a COEXIST event
Getting advice from a CEO (2)
Doing a lesson plan
Learning about different religions at once
Feeling I actually made a huge impact (2)
Eating at Mary Macs (3)
Taking a cab (3)
Giving food to the homeless (4)
Planting cantaloupes
Visiting a Catholic church
Thinking about issues dealing with Asian immigrants

University of Memphis Alternative Spring Break 2013

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

It's better to give than to receive.

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