Envisioning Change - Alex Johnson

One week of exposure to social issues facing a community was all it took for a group of college students to come together and envision change for their own communities.  Food insecurities, poverty, and agriculture were topics with which we got hands-on experience this Spring Break.  Those learning experiences will hopefully transfer to Missouri, along with awareness of these issues.

I am taking away from this experience knowledge, skills, new connections, and a sense of pride to be a Missouri State Bear.  I love getting my hands dirty, and one of my favorite experiences was working with Linda Proffitt of Global Peace Initiatives.  What she does for the Indianapolis community is beyond belief, and she gave me several opportunities to take part... while getting in the dirt and having fun. 

Breakfast Club- Johnathan Saunders

I was asked to blog about my entire experience from this trip. As I reflected about this, my mind gravitated toward an iconic movie called The Breakfast Club. I could see many parallels between our group from the onset of our trip. What a site to behold. Students from all walks of life crammed into two vans, who barely know one other were traveling two states away to live in an unfamiliar place for a week. We all had reservations about each other, but remained open minded. After each day of service we would gather around and reflect on the days activities. As a group we become closer each day until we felt close enough to call one another friends. We learned more about nonprofits, community issues, and what we can do to help on this trip than we ever would through a book or class. This post doesn't do our group justice, but I think it captures the essence of our experience. We are Bears, we are students, we are active citizens, we are friends, and we are the Breakfast Club.

Clay Stacy - Indianapolis Experience

My experience on this trip has been amazing! I knew coming to Indianapolis that I wanted to go into social work for graduate school. However, I was unclear of what direction I wanted to take it in. Hearing from Linda Proffitt at Peaceful grounds that she was a social worker, and the work that she does with agriculture. Then hearing from Mary Provence at Rebuilding The Wall that she was a social worker, and the work she does within here community was amazing. It helped me realize I can do whatever I want with a masters in social work. It was also so amazing hearing there stories and how passionate they were about the issues that they take care of. It made me cry to see how much change took place with the passion from their hearts.
Overall, this trip helped me discover my future, my leadership ability, and new friends. I'm glad that I had this experience. I'm also excited that I learned more about agriculture, so I can take that information and apply it to the Peace Corps. This trip makes me even more excited for my future and the future of the others in my volunteer group. I want everyone at Missouri State to have this experience at least once, so that they can take away their own experience and apply it to their community. It really helps you discover who you are and bond with others so well.

The end - Francis Ahrens

It has been a great week in Indianapolis! I have had the chance to co-lead a trip full of amazing student leaders. I am going to be taking a lot out of this trip. The main thing would have to be the inspiring stories that we heard throughout the week. Mary Provence, Linda Proffitt, and Brooks Barrick are three outstanding role models for their community and students like our group. In addition to that, the relationships that were formed were so great. I am coming out of this week with 11 new friendships. A lot of us did not know each other before the trip and I am excited to continue to bond with this group of individuals. 

I have got to admit that it is completely different being a trip leader. I have gained a lot of new perspectives from this trip. Looking back at this experience, I look forward to be a better citizen, student, and leader. 

All it takes is glue - Alex Johnson

What an eye opening week in Indianapolis! Not only are we serving the community and helping a cause, we are also learning about what life is like for those who don't have food or shelter.  I appreciate so much the time spent by our community partners to explain the reasons behind their organizations and initiatives.  These discussions really brought to light issues faced in both the Indianapolis community and Springfield. 

As an advisor, I have been so impressed by the participants and trip leaders. They are all hard-working, dedicated, service-minded folk who serve with their hearts and with a smile.  We have students from all facets of campus who have bonded with each other; the glue to this bond: compassion for others.  I have no doubt that their experiences, challenges, and skills built this week will influence the Springfield and Missouri State community. 

Rebuilding the Walls of life- Aubrey Snedeker

This trip has been very inspiring and eye opening so far. Monday and Tuesday we worked with Global Peace Initiatives. We were educated on all different techniques of how to produce soil. What hit home for me was that this organization has been working on and preparing the soil and these gardens for five years. They have not even seen their end product yet with this five year project but are still very dedicated and know that they will accomplish their goals and will make that community impact that has been building up. Listening to our site host talk about her drive and how much they have given to their community was beautiful. They not only are providing food but creating stability which was wonderful to hear. They have created these gardens that now have been turned over to community members to create a new life style. They are be coming sustainable.Today we worked with Rebuilding the Wall. We had groups split between houses being renovated painting and moving furinture. Today's service was uplifting. We were immersed into people's storeis in the area. I learned a great amount about the founders of the organization and how they live within the community, same street, as the people they serve on a regular basis. Mary Provence, co-founder, moved us all today with her own personal story but what moved me the most from it was that she has kept her family in that area even with all the crime and unknowing possibilities that may occur. Instead of keeping her kids in a sheltered area or house hold she embraces what is out there. Her family and her live and see some of the most abundant social issues and hard times but instead of flea away they become more driven and thrive on that community. Hearing her persspective on the beauty and horrors in the world from another view was inspiring. This trip has truly been moving and fulfilling.   

Aubrey Snedeker

Community

As we end our third day and I think back about what Linda Profitt and Mary Provence had to say about service and what they do, and also the other volunteers they had on site I found the same recurring themes.  When we talked to Linda she talked about how she loved working with the soil, had a deep[ appreciation for farming and farmers, and was interested and passionate about food production and sustainability.  She works well with her hands, and is very, very intelligent.  

She uses her talent and skills to better her community and the communities around her.  Her talents and interests are fulfilled through being an active and engaged citizen of whatever community she is living in, whether it be Thailand or Indianaoplis, IN.  

When we talked to David, the worker for Rebuilding the Wall, he talked about how he loved fixing things, putting things back together, and working with his hands.  He works every day at Rebuilding the Wall doing carpentry, painting, and handywork to help reclaim rough urban neighborhoods left in decline.  

Mary discussed how she majored in Social work, and had a passion for helping others, a deep interest in serving her own community, and sharing her interests with others. She also felt a desire to help families stay rooted in their own communities.  She uses her talents and traits for her own community, started a non-profit and moved to a rough urban neighborhood.  

The underlying theme I picked up and took with me so far is that to be an active engaged citizen does not have to be just making yourself serve in areas you are not qualified to serve in, or doing things you don't find really interesting.  Service is best done when you are passionate about the issue, and you have something valuable to contribute.  I believe we are all are given talents and our personalities reflect these in our interests.  For those who have a gift or talent for cooking and hospitality-go work at a food kitchen preparing meals for the homeless, open your home up to others.  For those who are gifted working with their hands-help build homes torn up after nature distastors, or refurbish decaying homes. For those who are good with people and just congenial-go out and talk and make friends with your neighbors, volunteer at the nursing home and play games with kids at the Boys and Girls Club.  I truely believe we are called to use our gifts to better our communities, and not to "waste" our talents.  I used to think I was't good at anything, except talking.  But through my opportunities with service and Bear Breaks, I've learned I have a talent for working with and connecting with others, even if its through casual conversation. I hope to use these skills to serve others in my community, creating value, and becoming a truly active and engaged citizen.