Storage Closet.

Feb. 21, 2010

Arriving at Healthcare for the Homeless, we were greeted with the task of the storage closet. The storage closet holds all the donations received from the community, other nearby clinics and hospitals, businesses, and any other kind person in Houston. What you do not know about the storage closet, is that everything ranging from dental and basic hygiene products to socks and panties, even baby diapers, were tossed into any avaliable open space in the closet. This left us with an unorganized pile of donations in a space where one could not even manuver around. At first, we were all embracing the upcoming challange and working ideas in our head as to how we would go about organizing the storage closet and putting together kits for the homeless. With all the various dontations, we were able to put together several kits which included the daily basic hygiene products. Toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap, deodorant, bandaids, shampoo or body wash, socks, a face cloth, kleenex and hand wipes made up the essentials for one kit. There are many roaming the streets nearby the clinic that go for days without brushing their teeth, or washing their hair. These simple donations, that we seem to have access to and in excessive amounts, are "gold" to others that go days, weeks, even months without touching. It was tough to be faced with that reality, but at the same time, I was grateful that I could be apart of such a group that worked to put these kits together, making them more accessible to the homeless.

We formed a sort of "elf line" when putting together the kits. AJ started off the bags by adding socks and a wash cloth. She passed the bag off to Izzy who added kleenex, hand wipes, and bandaids. Elizabeth got the bag next and added shampoo or body wash and deodorant. I was at the end of the line adding soap, toothpaste and a toothbrush. We worked at this for an hour until the donations ran out. Together, we were able to fill up 5 big boxes full of completed kits ready to be handed out to those in need. Just that task alone, could have easily taken one person up to 5 hours to complete. At times you may underestimate the capabilities possible when you work together. Fortunately, I'm glad I got to be part of such a good team that communicated, got the task done and still had fun all at the same time.


After the kits were completed, we took out 3 huge boxes full of donations. We had no idea what was thrown into these boxes, so it was a matter of taking everything out and organizing them according to their repective labels or products. Soaps, shampoos, lip products, bath products, shower caps, sunscreen, anything else - you name it - was in those boxes. Some of these had leaked open, others had been smooshed down from being at the bottom of the box. Sadly, not all the donations were able to be used because of their worn out condition. But for the ones that were still usable, we were able to form about 4 groups of major products to be handed out. Shampoos and body washes, conditioners, toothpastes, and soaps were found in endless amounts and organized into different boxes. After about an hour at that, the task was completed.

Now it was time to put everything back into the closet. The difference this time was that we were able to walk into the closet and everything was placed back in an organized fashion. What an amazing conversion! You wouldn't have realized how big the closet really was, until you were able to see all the walls and the floor. Cherie was absolutely shocked with the results, just as much if not more than we all were.


We knew we had made a difference. Not just for the clinic, but for every patient or person that walks through the Clinic's front doors.


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that every has."
- Margaret Mead.


Until next time.


- Cristina.

Alphabetical Test.

Feb. 13, 2010

So the day finally arrived to start at the clinic. Turns out the clinic is closed to patients on Fridays, so these next couple weeks will be dedicated to the organization and maintence of the clinic. The clinic just recently hired a new staff manager. She's a very nice lady with many goals for the clinic and is determined to make it her own - that gives us plenty of work to start off with.

We started yesterday with the storage files. There were hundreds of old Case Management Patient Charts that had been sent over from the Catherdral location. These charts needed to be alphabetically arranged and reboxed in order to send off to long term storage. That gave us quite a task. I didn't realize how rusty my alphabetical skills were until we started the process. Sorting through these boxes of dizorganized charts was a little hectic, but fortnately there were three of us working that day. Once a system was discussed between the three of us, things kicked off and wey started the organizing process. We had charts dated back from 2002 and had names from A-Z. You wouldn't think that organizing and boxing up these charts would make a difference, but after two long hours of looking at letters and charts we had finally completed the task. 7 boxes total full of charts! Mission Accomplished! You wouldn't believe the difference 7 new cleanly organized boxes made in a small storage closet in comparison to the scattered, ripped boxes thrown into the closet before hand.

It was a great feeling once we had completed the task. Knowing that the simple task of organizing the charts that was put off for months was finally completed in a matter of hours. The clinic is not only is able to send those boxes off, but they now have more storage space for new charts and donations that continue to arrive.


"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
-Henry Ford


Until next time,


-Cristina.

Pre-Clinic Complications.

Feb. 2, 2010.

So I have never blogged before, much less have been interested in blogging. I enjoy writing my experiences in journals so I can go back and reflect upon my entries, so this seems to be more or less the equivalent, just without a pen and paper.

I thought starting a blog would be a little bit more tough than the actual process was. I was very pleased with how simple the steps were to creating a blog. Rather than pulling at my hair when working with the computer, I found the experience quite steady for a change. On the other hand, I've struggled in finding a clinic to volunteer at. After several emails and phone calls to the first clinic, and no response, I started losing a bit of hope. I had anticipated starting this project this week and getting into the clinic and meeting new people - but I haven't had much luck. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear from the first clinic, so I contacted a second clinic. Again, not to my surprise, I was immediately greeted by the answering machine. I'm starting to see my weeks slim down to a minimum and I still have yet to hear any answer - that makes me a bit nervous when it comes down to actually starting the project.

All I can do now is wait. But how long will it be until I hear an answer? Or how soon will I need to contact another clinic? I see this project as a great learning experience and I was truly looking forward to reaching out and helping the community. I am still hopeful that I will hear an answer soon, but I'm not very satisfied with the level of communication between the clinics and interested volunteers or community members. Am I the only one having this much trouble, or is there a step in the process that I am skipping out on?

Well this leaves me at a blank until I hear a response.


Still Hopeful. Until next time.


- Cristina.