Gospel Rescue Mission 2nd-3rd Week

Hello All!

These past few weeks at Gospel Rescue Mission have been amazing. The first week I shared I was feeling awkward, not knowing my place yet. The second week there all of that changed; I feel welcomed like family. It has been a great opportunity to learn from not only the staff there but also the residents. Now when I walk into the mission I know people by name and they know mine. I've noticed that since being there many misconceptions I (and most people have) about homeless shelters are changing. Many people picture someone who is homeless as a drug addict, dirty, and not productive. When Cheryl (my supervisor) was telling me about how the mission got started, she told me that many of the houses near by opposed the mission moving in. They thought it would be unsafe, noisy, and dirty. However, after getting to know many of the people at the shelter and seeing their lives I don't see or agree with the stereotype. Fire capacity allows around ten females and ten males to stay at the shelter at one time. Eighty percent of the people staying at the shelter are going to school, working or a combination of the two. One women that is staying is moving out in a few days because she is working three jobs now and is finally able to afford her own place. These people are motivated individuals and know what is important in life. Although the situations that have brought them to the shelter are not ideal, the way they have completely changed their lives in just ten days amazes me. When I was there last Tuesday night a volunteer came to do the night shift (11:00 PM to 4:00 AM) and as I was getting to know her she shared that a year ago she had to stay at the shelter with her son. She came back to volunteer her time because of how much help the mission was to her. 

With these people in mind, I got right to work on some long-term projects for the mission. The first project in mind, was to try to line up vaccinations for the people at the shelter. I wanted to combine my nursing major in the internship and have found many connections between the two. Being here has inspired me to possibly volunteer my time as a nurse at an open clinic to help people in need of health care. Witnessing first hand the need for these adults and children has helped reinforce why I chose nursing in the first place. While here, I want to try to make connections with health clinics in McMinnville to help residents at the shelter. I started by writing a formal letter that my supervisor signed and called pharmacies around town. It was a little discouraging to not get calls back or have people say that they cannot donate the shots--but I want to find a way to meet them half way. Maybe they could cut the cost in half and we could fundraise the other? These are still questions that I will be working out the next few weeks. Another project I am working on is for an event in January they will be hosting called "Soup for the Soul". This auction will raise money for the shelter and will encourage community involvement. I have been contacting businesses and designing a pamphlet that I hope to take to business owners by the end of October/Early November. Lots to do, not very much time to do it i. I am looking forward to seeing what the result is!