Where my Prayer Warriors at?

Okay, you were supposed to hear the title in Kirk Franklin’s voice followed by shouts of praise and much rejoicing. If the grammar of the title bothers you, pretend it says otherwise :-)

This week I began a month-long training to become a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), court-appointed child advocate. In South Carolina, this is a volunteer opportunity through the office of the governor. Though we’ve only had two lessons, I can’t wait to be assigned cases. I feel bizarre saying that I look forward discussing child abuse and neglect for 3 hours, but I think it just demonstrates my passion to help the victims of it.

It has been easy to focus on my job in Charleston and not be reminded of the many abused children I worked with last year, but this training keeps bringing them to mind. (For more about them, click here.)

I called one of the employees still at the boys’ home this week to serve as a reference for my GAL application and he filled me in with their current situation.

Last Friday, they celebrated the high school graduations of 3 of the boys. One had been there since he was little and another would be homeless if not for the home. As you can imagine it was an emotional affair. Little did they know that early that day the Executive Director had announced to staff that everyone was to be laid off and the boys sent to other facilities.

These are trying financial times and I will save you from my rant about the State’s stance on “Family Reunification.” Short version: Children in the system are not being placed at group homes anymore. The decline of referrals was drastically noticeable while I still worked there, hence why they diversified into accepting clients from the Dept. of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The hope is for the boys’ home to deal exclusively with DJJ clients in the future. Until then, they are seeking financial outlets to bring back laid off employees, including liquidating assets.

So here is the call for prayer:

Please pray for the 30+ staff members who will be without a job tomorrow. Several of them have been with the organization for 20 years. These people have a heart for the boys and I have had the pleasure of working with most of them. And pray for the administration and board as they make some tough decisions.

Please pray for the boys who will once again have to pack up their few belongings to move elsewhere. They will be scattered—away from each other and the place some of them have called home for years.

Please pray for the fate of this institution that has housed young men for over 40 years. Pray that when it emerges from this trial, it will rise better equipped to serve children so dear to God’s heart and that He would be glorified.

Thank you for letting me share something that’s been heavy on my heart this week.

I am almost at the 10 month mark and will post that update soon!

Last Christmas

As I sit here at home and with my family this Christmas, the one I spent at the boys’ home last year has been on my mind. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve those boys. I was so blessed by my encounters and hope that you too receive an opportunity to give of yourself during this new year. The following is the story I wrote last year for the VISTA blog.

Wishing you joy and peace this holiday season! –Nicole

Christmas at Glenn Springs Academy

Christmas at Glenn Springs Academy began back in October as volunteers had already started calling in to make sure our boys had gifts. We collected the boys’ sizes and wish lists to distribute to interested groups.

I knew I would be involved in this for the months leading up to the holidays and made the tough decision while at home for Thanksgiving that I would spend the Christmas holiday away from my family and working at Glenn Springs. My family was extremely supportive as they understood the unique opportunity I had to celebrate with boys who did not have family with whom to celebrate. After months of organizing their gifts, I wanted to see them open them.

The week before, the office staff and I had organized the gifts and made sure that every boy had a sufficient amount. The number of gifts donated astounded me. Volunteers from Spartanburg and surrounding areas made Christmas possible for our boys. Some groups threw the boys a Christmas party, some donated electronics and clothes, while others brought treats or donated trips to movies or the bowling alley.

Christmas Eve arrived and I headed to work. Most of the boys were beginning to settle down and get ready for bed. The Direct Care staff helped me bring the gifts to the two cabins and the dorm where I organized them under the Christmas trees. I don’t know how Santa does it. We didn’t get finished putting out 20 gifts until about 3am.

The next morning, the younger boys (youngest age 11) were ready to open gifts at 6:30am. As soon as I walked into the door with the camera, they scurried out of their rooms to find their gifts. What followed was a flurry of wrapping paper, tissue paper, jumping, and sounds of excitement. Most of the presents opened were clothes, but they also got Legos, basketballs, and electronics. If you would have told me that these boys would have been just as excited about socks and underwear as the aforementioned, I don’t think I would have believed you.  Ten minutes after I had arrived, all gifts had been opened and most of the candy consumed. Legos were starting to be built and PSPs played while we watched A Christmas Story to pass the time until the other cabins awoke. One of the boys was so excited about receiving a Snuggie that he ran around the cabin in it (most was trailing behind him). The boys kept thanking me and telling me how much they enjoyed their gifts.

Just as I was about to head to the dorm, we got a call from the other cabin saying they were ready to open gifts. As I came in the door, several came barreling down the stairs while others groggily made their way toward tree. These boys were slower to open their gifts, but 7:30 was early for them. One of the boys who had been at GSA for Christmas before remarked that in addition to his gifts, he enjoyed all of the activities that had been  planned and donated for the boys while they are out of school. Next, the same groggy state of gift opening occurred at the dorm. However, some of the boys new to GSA were meticulous in opening their gifts, saying that they wanted to savor every moment as they did not think they would get anything (one of these boys arrived on Thursday).

The Direct Care staff members that night expressed the same concern; however I assured them that the new kids would be taken care of. Spending time with staff members with whom I don’t normally interact was one of the serendipitous occasions of the evening. Our staff has such a heart for our boys and even in the difficult times, wants to do what’s best for them.

One of the best times for me was seeing the joy on the boys’ faces as they opened their gifts Christmas morning. Thank you to all who donated to make that possible. I wish everyone could have seen it. The other serendipitous event occurred throughout the morning when the boys realized that I was spending Christmas with them instead of my family. They were concerned about my receiving gifts and they sincerely thanked me for spending the holiday with them. Even boys with whom I do not regularly interact said that it meant a lot to have me there. I definitely did not expect that.

This was one of the most tiring, sleep-deprived, and best Christmases ever. I am so blessed to work with such amazing people and to have such exciting experiences. I know I will never forget how I spent this holiday.  I hope that you find a way help others this holiday season and always.

The Journey continues...

I have spent a lot of time thinking about this crazy VISTA journey, especially since it has been over a year since it began. If it were a soundtrack (which is in the works, by the way), I think it would be called the “Majestically Mystery Tour.” I know that God has directed the route because I’ve met some really awesome people along the way and because I never knew where I was headed. Regardless of how long people were in my life, I have been blessed by each encounter. And the journey continues…

I finished up last week as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member in the first week of August and my vote for “Best Parents Ever” came to Spartanburg to help me move. (This might not mean anything to you, but we also had a mini Nascar tour by visiting the site of Bud Moore’s old garage and the headquarters of Phoenix Racing. My dad was elated.)

My cute little house (because it is a house, not a dorm or apartmentJ) is in North Charleston in a cute little neighborhood within walking distance of the library. My roommates could not have been better. Both ladies are attending/did attend Charleston Southern University very close to the house (the Samford of Charleston). Though both are busy, I have been able to hang out with them some and look forward to more. And we have a black lab/great dane mix, Bella, who has quickly become my adopted dog (and Criminal Minds snuggle buddy). I am also blessed to be a part of an amazing staff. My supervisor is cool, my co-leader super sweet, and the Vista for our office is from Alabama!

My co-leader and I started work one week before our Vistas did. We prepared for their On-Site Orientation and finally got a chance to meet all 24 a week ago. They are from all over the country, range in age from 20-65, and will be working in the areas of literacy, education, volunteer development, and veteran’s services. I look forward to serving them this year as they work to alleviate poverty all over Charleston County.

Honestly, though I was working at the boys’ home four weeks ago, it feels like a different life. Perhaps because I feel like I disengaged three months ago when I anticipated that the end was near. I don’t miss Spartanburg like I had thought but do miss the people with whom I associated there. Saying goodbye was bittersweet, but when isn't it though, really?

Please include your comments and questions below.

One Year Later

Some of the boys and staff watching an Olympic Swimming event

The bulletin board I made for the Olympics complete with TV schedule and local athlete bios (I really like the Olympics; can you tell? )

I hope that everyone is having a lovely summer!

 

Wow! It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since I was at PSO. It only feels like it when I think about the clients at the boys’ home who are no longer here and how I was before this whole experience. I feel as though I have grown in more ways than I even know and I am excited about what other growth opportunities lie ahead in Charleston! 

My last day at Glenn Springs Academy is Friday August 10^th. Next I head to Charleston for a meeting on the 13^th and then with all of my belongings on the 17^th. The Vistas in Charleston will arrive on the 27^th with gives me and my co-leader a good week of prep. 

Whew! I’m exhausted just thinking about it J

 

I would like to provide you with a wrap-up of my experience in Spartanburg but am going to wait and debrief next week before the move. As far as the other details, God has provided me with an encouraging group of ladies with whom I will share a house in North Charleston close to Charleston Southern (I hear it’s the Samford of the area). 

I know the next few days are going to be difficult as there are too many goodbyes (especially to the boys). But just this week, there have been so many blessings sent my way. Please say a little prayer for me as I endure this transition while preparing for the excitement yet to come. 

Sending you lots of love and hugs from Spartanburg! <3

Month Ten Update

My parents and I at a Spartanburg landmark

I feel like a ton has happened since I last wrote.

To see what's been happening at the boys' home, check out it out on Facebook.

For those of you following this plot line: there has been a change in the plans for next year. To make an incredibly frustrating story short (think my Food Stamps experience), I’ll just say that I will not be attending grad school next year. I was not rejected, it was much worse—I never heard anything at all. As exasperating as it was, I know that it just means that God has something better planned for me. I have applied to a few VISTA Leader positions in SC (because there aren’t any in AL, TN, GA, or MS) and have a few more “real jobs” in the works in the Spartanburg area for August. At this point, I am not opposed to staying in the Spartanburg area because I have enjoyed it, though I am also not opposed to moving back to the Homewood area, or anywhere else for that matter.

Onto the fun stuff—my parents came and visited! They made the journey to the Sparkle City for only the second time, the first being when they dropped me off in August (which doesn’t really count because we both knew nothing of the area and didn’t know downtown existed). In addition to going to a few places I wanted to go, they were able to see where I work and spend some time with boys I have come to love. Seeing them interact w/ the boys and giving so much to boys they had just met, I know that I get this desire to do whatever for the boys’ home from my parents. I’m not sure if it’s because my Dad made them huge batches of banana pudding or the fact that he let them walk our dog, but he instantly connected with even some of the boys that can be difficult.

Harbor in Charleston, SC

Being this close to the Atlantic Coast, it was only a matter of time before I went. During Memorial Day weekend, one of the other VISTAs went apartment shopping in Charleston and invited me to come along. This was the weekend of the tropical storm Beryl but it did not stop me from getting ankle deep in the treacherous waves, battle the desert-like blowing sand, and of course, get sunburned. Each restaurant we went to, the food only seemed to get better as though I could’ve been on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

After returning to work on Tuesday, I left that evening for Atlanta. My parents were dropping my sister off at the airport for her trip studying abroad. In addition to hanging out with them, I enjoyed our trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Even after just returning from the beach, it was amazing how rejuvenated I felt after spending time with my family. Then it was back to Spartanburg and work on Thursday.

Now I am anticipating returning to AL for a few days to celebrate the wedding of a dear friend from high school and to see friends from college whom I haven’t seen in 10 months. I am very excited about the time off.

ATL

Honestly, I have found it difficult to write a new blog post the past few weeks. Perhaps it is because I am down to two more months left. I think at this point, it is easy to focus on what hasn’t gotten done yet and become discouraged. Personally, I thought I would have been farther along by now. Like I would be a marketing-and-mentor-recruiting-machine or something. But I also have this renewed sense of commitment—like I still have one last good push yet in me.

In those moments when it is so easy to become frustrated, all I have to do is look out the window. Unlike many working to alleviate poverty, I am blessed to know exactly who all of my hard work is benefiting—the boys outside right now playing baseball. I have enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them and will miss them very much. I may or may not have considered taking one or two with me… Everyday working for them and having the privilege of serving an amazing God who continues to reveal new things—that’s Why I’m still smiling <3