The team has been divided into smaller groups, and assigned to different jobs around town. There is a group at the Thrift Store, sorting goods and changing out the summer/fall inventory to the winter goods. There is a group at the community center, where they work with kids after school, planning events and fun activities for the kids. Both of those groups also may work in the public schools around town whenever needed. That schedule is still being worked on. Then there is my group, at the EpiCenter. My group consists of Zak, Kate, and myself. We are the group who gets dirty, does manual labor, and has a lot of fun doing it! The EpiCenter is a non-profit started by a group of former AmeriCorps VISTA's, who came back (or never left) to better the community and it's citizens. The EpiCenter is crucial to the survivability and sustainability of life in Green River, where most of the townspeople are living under the poverty line. Currently, the EpiCenter is working with many families and townsfolk getting them HEAT assistance, for the upcoming cold months (and it gets cold here!).
My group's job at the EpiCenter is somewhat random, doing things that need to be done to better the building, and make it last. The first few days we were working in the basement, cleaning it, organizing it, and mortaring the walls to prevent leaking and deterioration of the walls. Then we did some demolition of walls, to open it up a little more. So, history of this building is somewhat mysterious.. being that it is really old! It is known to have been a speakeasy, and a bar later on. Butch Cassidy (I think) is said to have been in it. It's really old and really cool!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2097470&id=45404814&l=fcfa6f2ada
Other jobs we have done include making a bocci ball court in the backyard! I've never actually played an entire game before, but I think the EpiCenter crew is going to challenge NCCC to a game before we depart Green River! Should be fun!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2097472&id=45404814&l=418a8f8a15
Veteran's Day we went on a hike to Black Dragon Wash, in the San Rafael Swell. Dad, look up this swell online! Recognize it from the new Star Trek movie? It is where Planet Vulcan was filmed!!! Anyway, the hike was really cool! We explored a cave, and saw some really old Native American drawings on the rock walls!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2097473&id=45404814&l=bb8b27e55b
Just yesterday, we worked on a farm down the road from the center of town. A 55 acre farm, the owner organically raises cattle, horses, chickens, ducks, and goats, along with growing hay for feed, and a large garden my grandfather would be envious of! Our job there was to clear a pasture of all sticks, logs, and this pricker bush type plant, that was EVERYWHERE! We finished our tasks by lunch and after a quick walk around the land, we were made lunch consisting of fresh veggies, and Elk burgers! YUM!!!!
Ok, off to Moab to go grocery shopping!! Talk to you all soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment