Home Visits

Today I was supposed to work with the youth in SVDP, but many couldn't make it so the meeting was rescheduled. Instead, I went on two "home visits." This happens when a person calls the organization to ask for help with electric/water bills, food needs, or home necessities. Two volunteers then go to the residence of the person and find out what they need. We take down their information such as # of people in the family, income, and what they are having problems with. Today, we helped someone with their electric bill and some food from the pantry while a another family with their water bill. I can't go into much detail because of confidentiality reasons, but it felt like time well spent. St. Vincent de Paul is an organization where people in need can ask for help and receive not only what they need, but compassion and understanding. We take the time to get to know them a little and not just label them as a number.

Hours Volunteered: 2
Total Hours To Date: 9

Diocesan Meeting

Today there was a meeting in Oconto (30 minutes from my hometown) to go over Diocesan material. This is when the seven different local conferences send their presidents to collaborate and and present information. The different diocese make up the North Central Region. I was asked to come to present my PowerPoint to the leaders to help them form their own youth organizations and to give them project ideas. I brought two fellow volunteers Ryan and Rachel to present with. The presentation went really well! The audience was very receptive and wasn't afraid to ask questions. For the older generation, it's hard to understand how the young mind works. It was great to go through what interests teens, what they are skill sets are, and how to get them into volunteering.

I was able to meet Sr. Christian, who helped me get my Skype article published. She is the National Youth Coordinator, so I'm glad she could take time out of her busy schedule to attend the meeting. It's really great to volunteer my time by teaching others. I feel like I can lend my perspective and creativity to others to help their own endeavours.

Hours Volunteered: 3
Total Hours To Date: 7

p.s. pictures to follow soon!
-S

Regional Conference

As part of my project, I was in charge of putting together a large Powerpoint presentation for the St. Vincent de Paul regional conference. There are 8 regions in the United States. Wisconsin is part of the North Central region. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend because of my work schedule,but I was still able to prepare slides with information that I wanted to get across. The focus of the PP was "Youth and Young Vincentians": how to get young adults involved and project ideas. Leaders from around the five state region came to view the Powerpoint and bring back ideas for their own conference and program. The presentation lasted for around an hour and a half.

I put together slides on how to keep the youth interested, how to use modern media, and how to duplicate projects in their own cities. There were five or six man projects that I detailed thouroughly including what it was, what was needed, and how to make it happen. The regional meeting was in Milwaukee, and I heard it went very well!

Hours Volunteered: 4

-S