Fond Farewell

When I walked into Harvest House, I didn’t know what to expect.  I had done all of the research I could; I read Linda’s book.  I read all the information on the website.  But, that doesn’t give a full depiction of what it is like to work or volunteer for Harvest House.   Then, I started seeing both buildings and meeting volunteers.  I started taking clients at the Baby and Children’s Ministry.  I started to get an idea of how things worked.  But, I still didn’t know what my day-to-day job would be.  My work as the education liaison at New Hope Education Center has been defined and redefined over my past year of work.  I began my job trying to introduce myself to all the classes at New Hope.  Pretty soon, I became known as “that guy that helps with stuff.”  Thankfully, I began building relationships with students and volunteers so that I became known as just “Cameron.”  I worked to ensure that students were able to succeed in their classes- in whatever way I could help out.  I wrote letters for them; I tutored them; I talked with them; I let them know about services in the area that could help them with child care, transportation, domestic violence, etc.  But, I received just as much as I gave.  I was impressed by many of our students- by the 60-year-old man who worked the night shift as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and then came straight to a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) class that lasted from 8:30am-2:30pm.  Talk about fortitude.  Many of our students are that mentally tough- they have multiple kids and responsibilities.  As a man with no children, it was my privilege to take on a year of service with Harvest House; not many have that opportunity.  Many would like to, but have to make money right away to support a family.  And New Hope provides a second chance for many people, a second chance at an education.  It was also my pleasure to help enroll patients at Good Neighbors for free or reduced price medications.  It was very rewarding, and allowed me to meet other amazing people.  That job is now being done by terrific pharmacists, and I am glad that it will continue to be done for the years to come.  I like the variety in my job and the variety of Harvest House.  I am inspired by the vision and willingness of Harvest House to give more- to address the complex needs of our community.  I have been given a gift, seeing the complexity and value of each person- whether they be a volunteer or a client/patient/student.  We all shift between roles- today I am working for Harvest House.  Tomorrow, I may need another chance at an education, clothes for my children, or medical care although I do not have insurance.  I am extremely grateful for all that Buffalo and its people have given me, and I will take those gifts and memories with me.  My one request is that you stop and look at all that you have been given.  This is part of my thank you note to everyone at Harvest House.  But, my ultimate thank you will be in the way I continue to live my life in a way that would make all those at Harvest House proud.

Love,

Cameron

Jobs Jobs Jobs

Everywhere I turn, there's something talking about money or the state of the economy.  Money and jobs are great attention-getters.  And that's what the goal of this blog and other Harvest House publications are- to get attention and spread information.  So, this post is a bit about money and jobs.

The New Hope Education Center was designed to help improve lives of those living in East Side Buffalo, as well as Buffalo in general.  I think we can all agree that money is a necessity, for better or worse, to live a healthy lifestyle.  In designing the center, classes were selected with great job outlooks for the next decade:  things like, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Personal Care Aide (PCA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), etc.  The US government has researched these jobs and thinks that they have good outlooks for the forseeable future.  That's why I was happy to see that the government's promise on job security seems to be true.

I conduct a lot of conversations with students 3 months after they have completed a course.  I check-up to see if they've achieved their goals, what has stood in their way, and what we can do to improve what Harvest House offers.  One student responded, saying he will be working as an LPN team leader; he is going to ECC in the fall to begin their Registered Nursing program.  He continued by praising our LPN instructor, saying he felt very comfortable at his job doing things that the other LPNs had not even seen yet.  His response was a tremendous gift and encouragement to keep doing what we're doing here.

What other jobs or programs do you see working well and leading to jobs?  Are they all in the medical field?  Let me know- we are working on expanding, and we would love to bring in more great, effective programs!

Giving Back

Some people know how to give, but not how to receive.  I have a fear that if I give, someone might take too much.  That's a fear that I see in the business of giving.  Many times, I am forced to decide who I will give to, and how much.  At Harvest House's Baby and Children's Ministry, I must make sure that a person receives clothes, but leaves enough so that all may benefit.  At Good Neighbors Health Care, we give our services to those without insurance.  New Hope Education Center has chosen to teach adults.  There is a lot of giving through Harvest House, but we have rules in place so that our giving will have the maximum positive impact. 

A recent event in New Hope Education Center's Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) class has given me a refreshing outlook on joyful giving.  The LPN class decided to organize a community health fair- this was all the students' idea and effort, all credit goes to them.  The health fair itself did not impress me; but, the eagerness to share did.  Students rapidly added more and more that they wanted to share in this event- all that they had learned was coming back.  Students will be teaching about how to improve and check your health.  I recommend that you come join our health fair and experience a joyful giving back of all our LPN students have learned.  Students will be teaching our community- there's even going to be a Yoga demonstration.  I will be there- giving blood, and trying not to pass out.

New Hope's LPN students waiting to interview at our career fair

New Hope's health fair will take place on Thursday, July 21st, 2011 from 10am to 1pm.  LPN students will be presenting information regarding health and wellness.  There will be a blood mobile for anyone who would like to donate blood.  Refreshments and prizes will be given.  The health fair will be located on 175 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14210.

Holistic Medicine

GOOD NEWS!

Life Uniform recently donated 163 tops and 92 bottoms to the New Hope Education Center of Harvest House.  Many of New Hope's LPN students already work in the medical field as a CNA, and are required to wear scrubs.  Scrubs can be a financial burden for someone accepting a new job, or a new student.  This donation has allowed us to give scrubs at no charge to current and future students!  We are grateful for this donation from Life Uniform. 

(We sorted the scrubs according to size to create our impromptu "store" for current students.  On the left, our LPN instructor, Laura Bailey shows off some of the donated items.)


This donation was unsolicited (as far as I know).  I simply picked up the phone to someone asking me "would you like some free scrubs?"  Life is nice when it is so easy to give and receive gifts.

However, my time at Harvest House has shown me that it is not that easy to solve someone's problems.  An education can be a very powerful tool that can make life easier.  Last month, I was overjoyed to hear that a recent graduate of New Hope's LPN program was graduating with a full-time job.  This single mother had worked hard; I was happy to see a quick reward for her year in the LPN program.  When I called to see how her job was going, she replied, "Oh, I didn't take that job."  I was shocked.

I asked why she didn't take the job.  She responded that family issues needed to be addressed before she could accept any job.  She seemed to be taking it all in stride while I was almost angry that she was now without a nursing job.  Why didn't she simply get someone else to look after her ill uncle while she began this great new job!?  Why didn't she do things differently!?  Why was she so calm during this whole situation!?

I realized that it's because she is living her life, not mine.  It seemed like her family came first and she was willing to sacrifice a job in order to be present for her family.  Although I may not agree, she made this decision. 

I can offer opportunities and options.  Harvest House surely offers many opportunities and tools to help make life easier: clothing and large items at the Baby and Children's Ministry, medical care at Good Neighbors Health Care, education and legal advice at New Hope Education Center, and spiritual time at the Retreat and Spirituality Center.  However, not one of these things will bring a person peace.  It can help lead them to it; but, a person, as well as his or her problems, have many facets.  I love that Harvest House strives to treat a person as a whole.  Even so, I know that I am not in control of anyone who walks through our doors.  I can only treat them with love and kindness.

Expansion and Inclusion

This past week Harvest House voted to begin an expansion that will vastly expand classroom and office space in the New Hope Education Center.  It will also bring the Baby and Children’s Ministry to the Jefferson Avenue location.  The shift will increase space for the Baby and Children’s Ministry as well.  With these changes, more can be offered to the community.  Even with obvious benefits for the community, this decision was not made easily or lightly.

I think that it is appropriate that this major decision was made during Holy Week.  Harvest House began on a leap of faith.  This expansion shows that Harvest House is willing to continue to make leaps of faith.  Faith is not something often associated with public learning institutions.  Lawsuits have made headlines as to what can be allowed in our public schools when it comes to spirituality and religion.  Therefore, many are nervous to include anything spiritual in school, but would rather incorporate equal spiritual and religious exclusion.

However, I think that it is spiritual fortitude that continues to propel Harvest House.  Faith has not taken away all issues and challenges.  But, it is the confidence that faith breeds that has allowed Harvest House to continue to grow and change even during tough economic times.  This expansion sends a clear message to me: “There is still work to do.  There is still more to learn.”  No one becomes spiritual just by walking into Harvest House’s doors.  It is through spiritual belief that Harvest House is able to offer different things than regular educational providers; we will soon be able to offer free clothing and children’s items, educational programs, and medical care.

With this decision, I hear a resounding “yes” to inclusion.  I hear a “yes” to faith in ourselves and faith in God.  The "yes" to inclusion means that no one is forced to think or feel a certain way about God or religion.  But, I think it is clear how spirituality and faith have played an empowering role in the history of Harvest House.

Being Resourceful

Harvest House took part of a recent 3-day Mobile Safety Net Resource Fair in South Buffalo, NY.  These resource fairs are great events because they bring a variety of service providers to one building. 

It can be frustrating to try to solve a problem when you are referred to different offices repeatedly.  I once spoke with a woman who had been referred to our dental clinic only to find that it wasn't open that day; when she was met with this roadblock, she proclaimed, "I'm just going to pull out the tooth myself!"  When someone is pushed to his or her limit, bad decisions are easy to make.

The safety net event gives the individual the chance to stay in one place while having his or her questions addressed.  Representatives providing housing assistance, legal assistance, health care assistance, food assistance were in attendance.

Harvest House strives to address as many needs as possible under one roof.  However, this may still not be enough.  Even with multiple services in one building, people seem to walk around with blinders on.  Living in the present has its disadvantages.  I spoke with men and women who would respond to me, saying, "well I don't need that right now."  Certainly that is true.  How about your friends? family?  How about in a few years?  No one is impervious to the economy, nor harm.  No one expects to be homeless, hungry, sick, uninsured, or uneducated.  But, it happens every day.  Do some research, keep your ears open, don't plan on perfection.  Plan for these troubled times, it can stop you from trying to pull out your own tooth.

Check out community services available in Erie County, NY at: http://211wny.org/Erie-County/Service-Category-List/

Leap of Faith

In January, The Buffalo News ran an article about a former New Hope Education Student.  Yanely Rayes was a student of the Medical Office Assistant Program.  She gave up much more than most for a chance to succeed.

Rayes left her family in Puerto Rico, feeling that she had a better chance to prosper in Buffalo, New York.  However, she found the land of opportunity to be paved in difficulty.  She was living in a homeless shelter until she found work as a gas station cashier.  Rayes became pregnant with very little to support a child in her new home.  She waited until she was 7 months pregnant before she called her family in Puerto Rico; she was met with surprise when her mother flew over the day before the child was born.

The critical point in her story came after the baby was born.  Yanely's mother made a deal that seemed shocking to me:  she would take the baby back with her to Puerto Rico, leaving Yanely by herself; however, the baby would be returned whenever she got a good job. 

When I read this, I was filled with emotion.  Different thoughts ran through my head: "How painful it must be for a mother to let someone else take her newborn child away!"  But, I now think about this situation in a different way.  I have no doubt that Yanely was filled with pain during this time.  But, I also see an impressive amount of confidence and trust in herself, as well as her mother.  Rayes had enough confidence to think that it was only a matter of time before she got a good job.  That speaks volumes today.  Recent college graduates are struggling to get ANY job, much less a good one.  They are staying in school or hibernating until the economic climate warms up.  However, Yanely was able to get a job through Kaleida Health on her 21st try!  This is not a job atmosphere for the faint of heart.

I see spiritual fortitude every day at the New Hope Education Center.  Students walk into New Hope in their teens or in their 60s.  Both have made a goal to learn continuously, to keep their minds free from stagnation with the goal of getting a good job.  It takes a lot of self-confidence and determination to struggle free of financial dependency.  For Yanely, it took a determination as if her life or the life of her child was in jeopardy.  And in a sense, it was.  What a leap of faith.

To read the article in The Buffalo News, click the link below: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article300501.ece