CaringBridge.org; Drew Wakefield

Cheers friends, and good evening!

I must admit that I'm particularly excited about this week's event as this post serves as the first mass communication regarding, well, everything. If this is your first time to the site, please skip down to the very first post ("To Provoke Displacement"), to develop a better understanding of the idea behind all this.

Something that's been difficult to master is how to pull together all the things that incorporate my idea of what shared meaning and community should look like. I stressed in a previous post that no act is too small to have an enormous impact. It's hard to claim being an advocate of that if the only service projects I've conducted thus far have been with large non-profits. This week is different. This week is very, very personal.

So let's get personal. I was speaking with my mom on the phone this weekend when she told me that her friend, Cara Beth's, son was once again in the hospital and has had an extremely difficult time as of late. Drew is 15, he loves SpongeBob Squarepants, stuffed animals, and any music with a solid beat. He also has Downs Syndrome and mild autism. On June 4th of this year, Drew was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocyte Leukemia for the second time.

The odds of having this type of cancer occur twice in a lifetime are just around one percent.

One percent. What devastating news.

Joel & Drew

Since the diagnosis this summer, Drew has already undergone two rounds of chemo and bone marrow testing. It was quickly determined that there would be a need for a bone marrow transplant. Neither of Drew's brothers were a match for the transplant, so they sifted through the National Marrow Donor Program, and were able to find a perfect match.  During a physical only a few days prior to the procedure, it was discovered that the donor would be unable to go through with the transplant. I won't go into great detail regarding all the medical complications (you can learn much more information by checking out the family's CaringBridge.org site), but they have been nothing short of extensive. Drew is currently in the ICU until further notice. For safety and sterilization reasons, Drew cannot have visitors, but Drew can receive gifts and certain other things that are sterilized before entering his room.

Tigger!!

So here is where you all come into play.

My desire for this week is to prove that something as seemingly small as placing a card in the mail can make all the difference in both your own and someone else's world. Mix one part resourcefulness, one part determined-to-help-mother (thanks mom!), and one part kind of creepy stalkerishness- you can find pretty much anyone's number. This includes the mobile phone number of Drew's older brother, Grant. I was able to get some really great information about Drew and to also obtain a mailing address for him and his family. CaringBridge.org is a website that allows family and friends to stay connected throughout difficult medical situations such as the one the Wakefield's are enduring. It is a great resource, but does not have the scope to serve as the only medium for communication and assistance. This is a rare opportunity to be able to choose from so many option how you personally can participate. You can send mail or packages to Drew, you can write to his brothers or his sweet mom, you can donate on their site, you can become a donor, you can leave a message on the wall of their Facebook group, or even ask me how you can help. There is also not a deadline, I don't say this to encourage procrastination, but just to reiterate what a rare opportunity it is to be a part of something that's purposeful and extremely flexible. What a sensation it would be to begin receiving such intentional love and kindness from perfect strangers! I can't imagine the kind of impact something that's simply unexpected could have on these incredibly difficult days that have become the norm. My thought is that even if only five or six people respond, or if the only encouraging words the family receives are the ones I'm planning to send, it will be worth it. I wouldn't regret all the time and effort put into this, as I've found that a great majority of the times I feel regret it's more so for something I didn't do than something I did. So go out and be remarkable. Be creative and encourage it in others. And if you find yourself compelled to act, please feel free to share. I so look forward to hearing from you.

-AMF

*Editor's note: the Wakefield family had no idea that they would be acting as this week's act of service. I haven't seen any of them in years, but I have been greatly impacted by them and their story even in the last few hours. I am absolutely thrilled to see what differences we all end up making in each other's lives.

Please send mail to:

[Intended party of Wakefield family]

1104 Indian Ridge Dr.

Denton, TX 76205

Facebook Group: Pray for Drew Wakefield

CaringBridge.org Website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/myfrienddrew

National Marrow Donor Program Website: http://www.marrow.org/

Drew with brothers, Joel and Grant

The Stewpot: Serving Second Chances

Good Evening Darlings,

What a lovely and exhilarating Autumn week. I love when I find myself at the end of a day, or month, or adventure, exhausted for all the best reasons. Exhaustion is arguably one of my favorite feelings. As I reflect on last week's project, I can only imagine that everyone working for The Stewpot and The Bridge finds themselves in a constant cycle of exhaustion and restoration. It was an honor to serve a meal alongside this remarkable group of people, and I am thankful for the sense of duty and urgency that they ignited within me for my own city.

When one considers Dallas, abundant poverty and homelessness are probably not foremost running thoughts. My amazement as I watched over 725 people come through the Second Chance Cafe` in our 90 minutes there, probably indicated my ignorance to this far-reaching and penetrating dilemma existing within my local community.

Dallas.

The place I have gladly called home for most my life... and I feel now like we barely know each other.

Dallas is aching so much more than I ever expected or cared to notice. It honestly never hit me. A small sign of hurt here or a bit of shortage there never registered. Perhaps I was choosing ignorance or naivety or blindness even, but after the experiences of the last few weeks, I can't claim any of those things. I don't want to. I also don't want to idly watch as this relationship built on false premises continues to exist and fester for those around me. What I mean to say is, no matter where you live, probably there are a million more unmet needs than you could ever imagine, and it's unfair to claim ignorance. Ignorance may make you or me feel better, but it does nothing to help us or anyone else.

I would apologize for the rant, but again I'm not trying to sell anyone on anything. This page is about conviction. If you ever feel like I'm wasting your time then please feel free to close the browser window, but I earnestly hope that isn't the choice you make. I hope you feel inspired. I hope you write to me about your convictions. I hope the desire to diverge into uncomfortable territories becomes infectious. Similarly to exhaustion, being uncomfortable is one of those sensations that I find oddly satisfying. I think if you're reading this than either you do too, or you will.

Volunteering at The Stewpot had a much greater impact than I ever thought two hours of being in Dallas, two miles from my apartment, could ever have on me. I'll be honest and admit that I did not perform my due diligence beforehand, and practically knew nothing about the organization prior to our arrival. All I knew was that there would be a short orientation and that we would serve food for 90 minutes. When Will and I arrived, we were met at each gate by a security guard that directed us through the different areas where the homeless either were or were not allowed to congregate. I found this a bit alarming because I had never seen such measures for security taken at other places I had volunteered, but I didn't allow myself to dwell on it, because I imagined they'd seen a fair amount of skittish volunteers and I didn't want to be included on that list. We were greeted by the Meal Service Director and given a short orientation as to the proper way to serve the clients water. Just before they began allowing the clients inside to eat, they asked for two volunteers to move from serving water to serving food- you mean I can be educated in how to do both in one trip? Decision made. Will and I changed aprons and promptly switched sides of the counter. The guards first allowed anyone with a disability to come in and eat, they then allowed others to fill the room so that the meal could be blessed by a prayer. After the prayer, it was pure madness. We each did our one part in the assembly line and worked as an efficient food-serving machine. The guards would allow the room to fill then close the gates so it wouldn't overcrowd. At one point, a fight broke out. Immediately, two police officers broke up the commotion, removed the offending parties, and asked around to ensure that everyone was all right. This made me glad for the guards and I smiled at how their presence made me nervous earlier.

As the afternoon went on, I was amazed at the amount of food we were serving. I was only able to take a few pictures because of the chaotic pace we were required to maintain. I am still unable to decipher the feelings I have about how busy the whole thing was. It is wonderful that an organization can feed 700+ people every meal, but it is saddening to me that there is even the need for it. I definitely think that The Stewpot has the right idea, they have more than 25 partners in the area, and actually team up with The Bridge Homeless Center as the facility for meal services. Yet, I have the same mixed emotion I have regarding all charities and non-profits: I wish that they could accomplish what they were created to do, essentially "fix the problem," and either dissipate or move to the next area of need. That is hardly how they work though, and I wonder if that will ever change. It's one of those seemingly unlikely feats I hope to accomplish; and I will drive towards creating temporary and mobile non-profit efforts until it happens or I've exhausted every option and decided it truly impossible.

Waiting for the doors to open. I felt sad to see him siting there in military uniform, he was whittling something and whistling "Summertime."

My new friend, Ida, is a client of The Bridge that was assiting with table clean-up

Will looking very cheeky in his apron. He's British and Irish, so it works. I'm not just some rando throwing out the word "cheeky."

Center courtyard area where the homeless are allowed to gather.

I hope the few pictures I was able to take during my time there give you enough of a window to understand how well-run and loving of a place this is. I know you can't smell the sweet potatoes and warm ham mixed with the musk of grit and stench of a hot Dallas afternoon, but the view is something. Perhaps soon you can tag along.

-AMF

Mobile Loaves and Fishes

Hello Everyone!

I'm playing a bit of catch-up with the blog as the past few weeks of work have been extremely busy, and the part I feel is most important to maintain is the act and not necessarily the telling of the act. Please know right now that I am not intending to sell anyone on anything; I'm not trying to coerce anyone into false or half-hearted acts of service or altruistic martydom, and I'm not saying that my actions are with complete disreguard to self. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything other than the power of actions. If I've learned anything through all the soul searching, all the internet raids using the words "volunteer" or "service," and all the enriching conversations with the charming and impactful people I've encountered thus far, it's that no act is too small. No kindness goes unnoticed. You don't have to be large in number or stature to make a difference of mammoth proportions. I know all of this does not excuse my tardiness, I am in the process of developing a proper schedule for updates, and I guarentee I will get better as I grow more accustomed to the blogging world. Simply letting you know ahead of time that I am the kind of person that will rarely finish something early, and can only hope that you check back with me frequently enough to find my earnest attempts of accomplishing things in a timely manner endearing.

To reiterate everything I said in my first post, this blog is about being able to change things, being able to make a difference and impact and connect with others no matter where you are in life. So, two weeks ago, when I had made plans for my first project here in Dallas and then realized I had a work conference to attend in Austin, I thought "Heck, why not start there?" People will have to travel at last minute's notice, they'll have to cancel and rearrange plans, life will always happen. So Thursday night, my co-worker and I booked our hotel through the weekend, I sent a few e-mails out regarding different opportunities that might be available, and Friday evening, at the last minute, I received an e-mail that was more than I had even hoped.

The e-mail was from an old friend I had made while attending A&M and looking for a volunteer opportunity for a large group in Austin. I was so excited that Ruth was still there, and just as they had two and a half years ago, her zeal and love for those around her provided opportunity for meeting needs. She left me her cell phone number and told me she could meet me in the office on Saturday afternoon to help me with the first tangible steps of my adventure. It was a great first step into this new world: I had been to the property before, I was accompanied by two great friends, and we were all without restrictions and inhibitions in regards to time and what we would be able to both give and receive during that time.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes is an organization I have truly come to adore through the people working there, through the people they serve, and the fact that in every way, there is always room for more. There is always room for more people needing to love and to be loved, always room for more people wanting to assist and for those in need of assistance, and always more room to impact and affect one another. The mission of this ministry, originating from St. John Neumann Catholic Church, is to provide for different needs of the homeless. It's not just about providing food and clothes- those are simply mediums. MLF provides community and responsibility through temporary living arrangements and assistance opportunities, they promote dignity and an appropriate sense of pride by demanding high standards for donated clothing, and they promote authenticity and sustaining impact by constant interaction and literal acts of living life alongside them in the streets for days at a time.

The following pictures serve as a sort of incomprehensive documentation of our trip. Ruth patiently toured us and answered questions while she introduced us to everyone whose path we happened to cross. There were many people at the facility watching football and enjoying each other's company while grilling meat on the newly donated Grille De Ville (pictured below). After spending time with the group, we got to work as "artists" and decorated the backs of prayer and encouragement cards to be given to those in need of scripture or a few kind words. In the end, it was difficult not to feel like we, as volunteers, were really the ones being helped.

MLF emblem on the front of the building

The first MLF truck, named after the man who inspired it- Houston Flake.

Showing us the food truck all set up and ready for delivery.

Sweet Ruth explaining that, for some of the people they're helping, one of the only choices he or she might have during the day is whether they'll have an apple or an orange with their lunch.

My colleague and kindred-spirit, Alisha, and dear friend, Melissa, attentively listen as Ruth shows us the clothes section on the truck.

She's explaining to us the standard of dignity held when accepting and distributing the clothes- no rips or tears, no stains, etc.

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Working on the new grill. It's beautiful. The sweetest part was that he shared with us homemade tamales and salsa. Such a giving and generous soul.

Grille De Ville- it will be used to cook over 150 lbs. of meat for an upcoming event!

Alan Graham, President and founding member of Mobile Loaves and Fishes. He does a mean Santa impersonation around Christmas. Not even kidding.

Cards decorated by artists before us. So cute!

Sweet Liss.

"You mean the [world] to me."

"Tu eres es la luna en mi dia." The verse on the back was in Spanish, so I thought it was fitting.

Coloring away diligently.

They let us use the secret stash of the really good art supplies!

Me while we were cleaning: "We have to put everything back neatly. You don't want to be the kid that ruins every body's crayons."

My three cards. I went for the less is more strategy. Really, I'm just a perfectionist.

Five cards. Typical. : ) She's our resident over-achiever.

Melissa's Africaness coming out. All bright colors and hearts and sweetness.

Mobile Loves and Fishes website is: http://www.mlfnow.org/

Please check it out. It has so much more information than I could ever include on this page.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes operates in:

• Austin, TX
• Cedar Park, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
• Nashville, TN
• New Bedford, MA
• New Orleans, LA
• Woonsocket & Providence, RI

If you are ever in one of these places and you have some free time, look them up. If you're there and don't have time, still look them up. Whether you're working or on vacation, the time you could spend investing in something like this will be better than going to that restaurant you heard about or sleeping in or having to mark off every tourist destination you wanted to see. You will never regret this kind of time. It will never be a waste.

-AMF

To Provoke Displacement

Hello Friends, Family, & Curious Ones,

Today it really begins.

I will spare you the quintessential introductory post questioning whether anyone will read this and declaring not to make any promises because I don't know when I'll have the time, or that friends and family twisted my arm to start a blog because they wanted to stay in touch. I say that just because all of the typical reservations aren't true or I'm simply not concerned over it. I have an incredible vision for this page; I have no idea where things will end up, but I am so excited to commence this journey.

Most of you probably know who I am, but to you newbies, I promise you're not all that far behind: my name is Alyshia, I live in Dallas, and this blog is truly more about heart than words. For the most part, I'm pretty average and I currently live what most would consider the young business professional dream- well-paying job with plenty of responsibility, fun and interesting friends, great place to live, blah, blah, blah. The truth is that it's exhausting. It also feels, largely in part, meaningless. Yet, so many of us live that way! There's no connectedness or purpose to most of the things we do throughout the day; our routines and daily activities drain us and practically void many of the great things we do have in life. Isn't that right? Don't we talk ourselves through the boredom and dissatisfaction for a possible future reward or for mere want to not seem rebellious or foolish? We hope that Saturday and Sunday can somehow account for and better the other five days of the week. Or we pretend that at 65 something magical happens and worries cease, and being unhappy now will make that unnamed future day worth every sacrifice.

Doesn't that seem foolish?

For me, the choice of acting on my convictions or just waiting until circumstances improve no longer exists. Change must happen in my life. Again, I am unaware as to where or how this journey, this change, will end. Whether or not you are in the same need yourself, I welcome you to join me.

My desire is to help facilitate meaning and purpose and to connect people with one another. These things exist in so many ways, but we're often far too preoccupied to even notice; my will is that this distractedness from one another, and from the world around us, greatly reduces itself. The pivotal component to making this happen is that I won't just be writing about ways to create meaning in life, and I won't just be asking you all to discuss who or what gives you purpose. I'll be doing it. I have committed to partner with a non-profit organization every week to perform an "act of service." Some of these acts will consist of physical time and others will involve gathering items needed to continue their mission. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to participate in an event; this page serves as your invitation. Of the two projects completed since October 1st, I have already been joined by three people seeking change for others and for themselves. One colleague. One friend. One person I met just days before serving together at a resource center for homeless and "at-risk" individuals. Anyone can get involved. Anyone can make a difference. Anyone.

I know this is a bit overdue, but everything is coming along marvelously and I'm thrilled to now be able to include you in the excitement. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and look over my little project. I hope you enjoy the read, I hope you enjoy the pictures, I hope that you learn new things, and I truly, truly hope to hear from you in one way or another.

-AMF