Service Learning #4

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1. This week I contacted my community partner Arielle to ask if I could assist in anything this week. I had attempted to set up a fundraising table in front of Publix but I called three in the local area and they said they could only accept one a month and they were all done until the new year (WHAT?). It was frustrating because I didn’t exactly understand what the problem was. So I decided instead to volunteer for the Suntree Fall Festival on Saturday (tomorrow). Arielle put me in contact with two other girls going and so we will carpool there. While there, we are going to be passing out fliers and giving out information about Animal Safehouse. We have everything we need, except some chairs which I am currently trying to find!

2. I feel that it will be a very good week for Animal Safehouse. The festival will be a success and we are cooperating together to get the message out there. It’s amazing what a few girls can get done! There were frustrating setbacks in the beginning. Not a single Publix would let me put up a table but I later found out that Patricia set up an appointment for next month for a table storefront-after the EIGTH Publix she called. It showed me that it takes some serious perseverance to get the job done sometimes. Despite that, we moved onto another opportunity to raise awareness!  In the chapter we read this week on violence against women, it says that “changing public consciousness about a traumatic issue like violence against women takes a concerted political movement.” (Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 267) And I think that is what drives my community partners to push forward everyday even against the current of negativity.

3. I love the fact that I am doing something productive with my time that truly makes a difference. I am so excited to go to the festival tomorrow and represent Animal Safehouse. In a way, I am representing Animal Safehouse and all of the women and pets the organization fights for, and I look at that as a great responsibility. It also gives me a deep sense of satisfaction.

Works Cited:   Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill, 267. Print.