The Sadie Stone Experience featuring Wolf 3

Apologies for not writing recently, these past weeks have been crazy busy. Last Wednesday we were sorted into our teams for the year. Although it might sound simple, the process for all of us was very nerve racking. NCCC Atlantic region is separated into 3 units, Wolves, Badgers, and Ravens. I am a Wolf along with 79 others. I knew a lot of people before that most of my street (4th street!) but didn't know most of 3rd street. We have had training in our unit, but with 80 people, it is hard to know everybody.

 I am getting a little ahead of myself because even before “team reveal” ( I called it sorting) we had a day long diversity training session and the day before that on Tuesday we had Red Cross shelter training. I can honestly say, those two days felt like some of the longest in my life. It was all important information, but very hard to sit through. AmeriCorps works with the Red Cross to respond to disasters. Setting up and running shelters for those who have been displaced is critical to disaster relief.  We had to learn how to set up, run, and take down Red Cross disaster shelters. That week we also had a representative from Save the Children speak to us about creating safe spaces for children in these shelters.

So back to Wednesday night… The team reveal FINALLY happened. I am very content with my team too. Sadie is my team leader. She was also my POD leader, so I was happy to find out I would be with her for the rest of the year. Two others, Matt and Maria were also in my POD. I also have some fellow Michiganders on my team, Caleb from Grand Rapids and John from Ann Arbor. I am also with Sara my roommate, another Jamie (not my roommate), Rene from CT, Meaghan from VA, and Zack from CA. We all get along really well, no big drama…yet.

This past Monday we had training called, “Corps Life.”  We were filled in on basically the who, what, where, when about our “spikes” which are also referred to as “rounds” here as well. At the end of the presentation they asked a person from every team to the front of the room, I was sitting close to Sadie so I volunteered. It turned out I was volunteering to play a game. The questions were about the presentation like what states does the Atlantic region go to? What were the names of the presenters? Etc…It wasn’t that hard… And I won… the whole game out of the whole campus.  It was very exciting especially since I had the whole Wolf unit cheering me on.

Tuesday we did CPR, AED, and First Aid Training… I can save lives now…good information but again a very long day. My roommate Beatriz also made enchiladas that night. Her mom sent her peppers and spices from California because she couldn’t find anything at the supermarket we go to. They were amazing…so much better than the turkey or PP&J sandwiches I eat everyday for lunch.

Wednesday we had some team building exercises and tool training. Since I have been on worksites before, none of the information was new, but it was fun to use some power tools again.

Thursday we had our Perry Point workday.  That basically means every NCCC member this whole week has been cleaning out houses that are not being used, hauling around furniture and washer dryers that are not being used etc…cheap labor. Half of my team was at driver training while the other half of us were working in the dorm hauling sets of lockers. I didn’t even count how many sets we had to move out of storage rooms on the 2^nd floor dolly to the other side of the building, and then take down 3 flights of stairs to the basement. It took most of the day, but it made me grateful for my teammates.

Today I did an ISP (Independent Service Project). Over the course of the year we have to do 80 hours. Some of my teammates went down to Baltimore to work at The Loading Dock. The Loading Dock is basically a non profit thrift/use again version of Home Depot. When buildings are condemned or demolished, appliances, cabinets, tiles, nails, screws, sinks, toilets etc wind up at The Loading dock, are sold at 1/3 the retail price at cost. They give tax breaks to anyone who donates and discounts to anyone that buys. My team leader Sadie had a spike there last year, and we could still see all the work previous NCCC teams have done there. We could even tell what signs and artwork Sadie had worked on.

I will try to be more faithful to my blogging. The time here is just flying by.