Blog 4 & 5 - 12/15

     The past couple of weeks have been extremely stressful. I experienced moments of frustration, anger, annoyance, and I just wanted to give up. To put it simply, I didn't complete my 4th blog on the last due date because I lacked progress. This project has directly challenged me but I didn't give into the temptation of giving up. 

    After the second form I filled out regarding Code Blue's shelter, I genuinely believed I would have gotten a response because of the fact we have gone into Code Blue's this winter, and I thought that maybe they weren't looking at the forms during the time of year in which I applied. To be honest, I shouldn't have put all my time towards one specific shelter that seemed like the perfect match for me, and I wish I would have branched outside of my comfort zone. 

    When it comes to my Final Action Plan, these past weeks have made me realize I unfortunately never properly distributed the time to look into fundraising opportunities an adequate amount, thus, I have scratched that from my action plan. However, I do not think this takes away from my project, as  I wanted the main root of it to be strictly volunteering in as many aspects as I can and genuinely get first-hand experience on contributing towards a cause I hold high values in. 

    Unfortunately, when looking back at my very first blog, although I asked for more shifts at my job -- which I got and worked --, the time of year simply didn't work out for me, as it had come in between of two holidays in which I partake in very dearly: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Because of such holidays, my funds were directed elsewhere, but that won't stop me from fulfilling my duties. My work hours of a total of 190 Hours & 29 Minutes since my first blog will be provided below: 

    Another thing I want to point out would be the fact I didn't entirely stick to my final action plan when it came to researching. In my action plan, I stated I would go to my Step Dad first, as he's the one person I know in this entire world with so many resources. He knows EVERYBODY. In this case, I tried being independent and doing my own research first which ended up being a HUGE waste of time.

    When it came to extra research, my mother simply wasn't comfortable enough for me to volunteer in most other areas that I had looked into... she played a major factor in me wanting to give up as well (not to put blame towards anyone). 

    

    Despite all of this, I finally went to my Step Father, Mike Madara, and asked if he had known anybody who could be of great help. He assisted in pointing me in the right direction by letting me contact an old friend of his, Pastor Ben. Pastor Ben and his wife own a series of churches under the name "The Table Ministry" where they offer food, clothing, healthcare information, and transportation to treatment programs to the homeless and addicted. Mike knows him from previously helping him within a location in Kensington. With what seemed like hours of convincing, Mike reassured my mom that this location is entirely safe, and that he will be with us the entire time. Below is a message I directly sent to Pastor Ben: (more screenshots of my work hours will still continue below, sorry I don't quite have the blogger layout down yet...)                                                                         

                                                                                                                        After Pastor Ben's reponse, we                                                                                                                         should be set to go and get as                                                                                                                            much volunteer experience as                                                                                                                            we want!