Topic from Week Thirteen, Part II

The Governor's interaction with my CP mainly involves funding issues. Governor Brown had the authority to make an impact on my CP's operations because PRRC receives funding from the State.

Topic from Week Thirteen, Part I

My CP is not constitutionally mandated.

Topic from Week Twelve

My CP does not have the authority to raise funds through taxation. My CP is associated with tax spending because they do recieve federal funding.

Topic from Week Nine, Part II

My CP interface with local government units is because of additional funding for running and maintaining PRRC. I don't know if there are any leaders in particular who've had a key impact on the success or development of my CP

Topic from Week Nine, Part I

I don't know if my CP ever have recourse to judicial processes as a way of resolving problems or involve the prison system in any way.

CBL Essay

While volunteering at PRRC I learned that the simplest interactions and activities are extremely helpful for the participants. The participants gain a lot of social skills by attending the recreational, educational, and vocational activities at PRRC.

I choose this organization as my CP because I had a great experience voulunteering here during my sophomore service retreat in high school.

I participated in art classes, bingo, and snack time. The Pomeroy Center is a great place for people with physical and mental disabilities. The diverse activities stimulate personal growth for the participants at their own pace and suits their indivisible needs. The participants enjoy socializing and engaging in various activities with each other and the volunteers. While volunteering here I saw that the simplest activities, like art projects, stimulates their mind and let's them express their creativity. Even just spending time with the participants help them brightens up their day while teaching them social skills. Assisting the participants play Bingo was extremely fun. Playing bingo teaches the participants to listen and read letters and numbers because playing bingo involves listening to the person calling out the letters and numbers to get Bingo. Following the rules of bingo teaches the participants to listen and follow directions. 

The main challenge I had was putting myself out there interacting with the participants on a one on one basis. For the most part I'm a shy person and just diving into a new situation in general is nerve-wracking. I got over my fears by diving into the activity and introducing myself to the participants and asking them if they need any hpcwith the activity. Another helpful thing was the participants are very welcoming and are always happy to see a new face and they would come up to me I introducing themselves. It was cool because whenever I'd walk into the building they would greet me and say they remember from the other day. 

Topic from Week Six

I'm not sure if PRRC has sought or encouraged any legislative changes.

Topic from Week Four, Part Two

My CP did get caught in conflict relating to its local relationship because it was facing closure a couple of years ago but the community pulled together and now the center remains open.

Topic from Week Four

I'm not sure if PRRC part updates in political campaigns or take public stands on campaigns or candidates. If they do participate in any political aspects it would be because the candidate or campaign can help PRRC, but if they don't partake in any polical aspect it would be because they don't want to alienate any potential participants or any future candidates.

Topic from Week Three

PRRC has a great volunteer relationship with the schools near them, Mercy High School SF, San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, Saint Ignatius High School, and others, as well as individuals who volunteer there. Volunteers interact with the participants with their various activities scheduled for that day. It's a one on one and small group  interaction between the participants, staff, and volunteers. Citizen participation is important for my community partner because some participants need extra assistance, volunteers also help the staff keep an eye on the participants to make sure they get to their next activity or get on their shuttle. Participants also benefit from volunteers because they get to interact and socialize with a diverse group of people.

Topic from Week Two

 My community partner, Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center, was founded by Janet Pomeroy in 1952 after observing that kids with disabilities did not have an activity to participate in during recess when she was a student at SFSU. She was puzzled when she asked the teachers at the school if the kids with physical and mental disabilities have any activity or stimulation during recess and the teachers said no. After her research study she came up with the idea to open up a center where people with physical and/or mental disabilities can receive recreational, educational, and vocational opportunities in a supportive and enriching environment. PRRC is non-profit organization and receives Federal funding so they are affected by Federal policies. PRRC is accountable to the the community they serve and any restrictions and standards that the Federal government requires of them to continue receiving Federal funding.

Community Partner

My community partner is Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center 

http://www.prrcsf.org

Their mission statement is "Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center provides recreational, vocational and educational opportunities for people with development disabilities. 

From their website:

"The mission of the Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center is to provide recreation, vocational and educational opportunities for people with disabilities through programs and services that encourage self-expression, promote personal achievement, and lead to greater independence."

I choose the Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center as my community partner because I volunteered here in high school for my sophomore retreat and it was an amazing experience. We helped with an art class and gardening class, at the end of the day we help set up for a party that they had for a special event for the young adults and adults who had classes there that day. I had a positive experience that time so I would like to reconnect with the center. Another reason why I want to volunteer at PRRC because I've always wanted to help people with developmental disabilities and want to help them get proper mental, physical, and social stimulation. 

I plan on volunteering in the art and gardening classes. Another reason why I was drawn to PRRC because I want to become a police officer and I want to specifically help create a positive interaction and association between the police and the mentally and physically disabled, so this is a great way to learn how to properly interact with the community and get to learn about their challenges and concerns. This also a great opportunity to help facilitate change for their community from the inside out.

The process to become a volunteer was simple, I emailed the volunteer coordinator then attended an orientation.

Call to Action Day/Women's Week Reflection

Even though I was not able to participate for Call to Action Day, I did participate in Women's Week.

I attended the Women and Work Panel and the topic was "Having it all: The Grace and the Chaos of Balancing Parenting, Career, and Possibilities". All of the speakers are working moms but they all have experienced some type of challenge of being a working mom. One theme that was mentioned was creating your own definition of "having it all". Another theme was finding out what works best for your situation and personal, familial, and career needs. Also, learning to adapt to whatever circumstances comes your way will help you get to your goals. Learning how to balance all your responsibilities is another vital tool towards having it all. One thing that all the speakers mentioned was having a good support system to help and guide you. Lastly, communication is key. Communicating with you support system will help a ton. Lisa had mentioned that it is possible to have it all but not at the same time. At some point all the speakers mentioned that their definition of "having it all" has changed thought out their lives. It's also important for men to talk about this issue because this also affects their lives. 

The panel was interesting and inspiring. It was cool to hear about their journey and see that there were some overlapping challenges and advice from all these women. One thing that I got out of this panel is to expect the unexpected but learn how to adapt to any changes and challenges that may come up, because everything is a learning experience. Also, having a support system is very important. Learning to communicate with you support system and workplace is key towards living a balanced life and having it all. 

I also attended (and helped set up the reception and chapel) Jezebel Delilah X's monologue. Her performance was powerful and energetic. She took on the personas of Jezebel the princess of Israel and Lena Baker. She also mentioned the tragic experiences of women who have endured sexual violence and social media blackmail. Vanessa also talked about reclaiming womanhood to reflect all types of women defined from a woman's point of view. It was cool to get to know her at the reception. Her energy was magnetic and genuine. She truly wanted to make a connection with everyone in the room, which made a lot of sense after hearing her monologue. 

The reception before Vanessa's performance was unexpectedly moving. There were women from Saint Vincent de Paul's Catherine Center (Menlo Park), which is a transitional home for women who have been incarcerated. It's a 12-month program that helps women develop their strengths to become independent, successful women. This program helps these heal from their past and guides them to be empowered women. I didn't expect that the reception would be extremely moving; it was amazing to hear the brief introductions from the women of the Catherine Center. It was cool that it became an impromptu dialogue and refreshing to hear that the women in Catherine Center are given a second chance and learning how to find their path in life on their own terms. It's true that sharing a meal with someone opens up a dialogue and creates a human connection that otherwise would not have happened. 

The events that I attended were amazing, inspiring, and empowering. It was a privilege to have been able to hear these extraordinary women talk about their journeys’. In some ways it reminded me of the pro-women atmosphere at my high school. It also cool to reconnect with Jim McGarry, who was my ethics and world religions teacher from high school.

Both events mentioned that the lack of access to programs, such as childcare, career development, support groups, that are geared towards women, would be beneficial for women to get the help and skills they need so they can reach their goals. The women from both events are all striving to improve their lives for themselves and all are learning how to create a support system that are on board with them, which was cool to hear about. Even though these are two different groups of women, working women and women from the Catherine Center, they all want to create a better life for themselves to help the people around them.