Week of Service Program
A REFLECTION ON GOOD WORKS by Nicole Johnson
Good Works, Inc. is a non-profit Christian organization that helps the homeless in Athens, Ohio. I was here in 2005 with my church youth group and just loved it! When I was in Ohio three years ago, I did not have as much of an intimate relation with the workers and the people in the homeless shelter, but I still enjoyed it. This time, I journeyed back to Ohio to discover God and get to know new people. I really like the idea behind the organization and definitely the religious aspect that backs all of their beliefs. Even if someone is not Christian, they have to agree that this organization’s root in the love that the Bible teaches is very helpful to those in need. The love and acceptance that the workers and volunteers at Good Works show has really touched me in these past two weeks. This experience has really opened my eyes to all the different types of people out there and especially to God.
Good Works, Inc. runs several “programs” that reach out to the community of Athens. One of these programs includes Samaritan Projects. These projects help mainly the elderly, who are usually widowed or disabled. Volunteers go out and talk with the elderly, help them around the yard (mow the lawn or plant), and help around the house. These people really do appreciate the help and the company because they are usually lonely and really need help around the house. I got to visit two women, who have lost almost their whole families. They are pretty alone, but they have each other and they really like talking to the Good Works volunteers. We went to these houses to mow their lawns and they really appreciated it because they are just not healthy enough to do it for themselves. I enjoyed the hard work and I really enjoyed hearing what these women had to say. They told us about their families and the things they like to do, such as gardening. The one woman showed me her dog and all the clothes that she makes for the dog. It was very cute. Another woman that we helped had a huge yard that was in desperate need of a trim. She lived on a hill so it was hard, but we got the job done. This woman was also a widow, but she still had her other family. Also, her house was a bit out of the way, so there were not that many neighbors. She was so nice and welcoming. She really enjoyed our company and I really enjoyed talking to her as well.
All of these women made me think about the world today. There are a lot of people in this world, but so many are so focused on themselves that they do not give any time to their neighbors or even family. I learned a lot from the people I have encountered on Samaritan Projects. The older women have a lot to say and a lot to teach because of their experience and I really enjoyed learning from them. This program is not all about just doing some physical labor to help someone, but there is more to it when you get to interact with the people you help.
Along with Samaritan Projects, there is Senior Care. This is a program for volunteers to go out and visit the elderly regularly. This program is great because there are a lot of elderly and shut-ins that just need someone to talk to. I only went on one official Senior Care visit, but it was great! I actually remember this woman from the last time I visited and she remembers me, which is amazing because she is 94 years old! She told the worker, Amanda, and me all about her family, the places that she has been to, and all the arts and crafts that she does. She even fed us a wonderful dinner. I watched Amanda cut her hair and we talked some more about her large family. I felt bad for leaving because all she wanted to do was talk and I love to talk and listen.
I learned just how important this program is because it allows volunteers to connect with the elderly and possibly learn something. Also, the people that we visit really appreciate the company. I also learned that interacting with other people is very important because you will always learn a lot. The woman that I visited with definitely showed me a lot even though she was very old and somewhat lonely she still enjoyed life and nature because she visited her friends and worked in her garden. I will keep in mind that connections are always important, and that maybe God has so many people on this Earth to help each other find Him.
Another program that Good Works runs is the Transformation Station. This is a resource center for the locals who are struggling with poverty. These people can volunteer in the community and in turn learn about themselves, learn about others that they serve, and they earn participation points. With these points, they can work for a “thank you” gift of a car, furniture, appliances, or food. I worked with a couple people taking part in this. Both people were working for cars. They went out to mow lawns with me and one of the Good Works staff members. I enjoyed getting to know these workers along with the people that we were helping. These people were willing to work very hard for their cars, but they were also willing to reach out to the people that they were helping. I even got to see the one woman earn her car. She was so happy and she worked so hard for it. She is truly blessed that there is a program like this that can help her in her time of need. I am very happy for her and I hope that everything works out for the other woman.
The main focus of this whole project was working with the homeless at the homeless shelter, known as the Timothy House. This place is truly amazing! I went to the Timothy House almost every day and got to know the residents and hear some of their stories. However, I mainly played with the two little kids because they really had no one else to play with and the adults needed some time to themselves. Not only did the adults and staff appreciate me playing with the kids, but I really enjoyed it, too, because I am just as much a kid as them. I played mostly with the one little girl and we pretended to be mermaids and animals and it was great! We also played outside a lot on her bike or with chalk.
The other people at the Timothy House came from all different backgrounds. I really enjoyed hearing their stories. The one man was really funny and seemed to see the bright side of things. Another man who could play the guitar very well and I really enjoyed listening to him play. There was also a woman who was really smart and into physics. All of these people were a lot of fun and very grateful for receiving help from such a great place. I never once thought of these people as bums or anything of that sort. They were just dealing with some issues, but they all had great personalities and were very helpful and supportive of each other. I really enjoyed this environment because it seemed very safe and not once did I feel uncomfortable because we all came together as friends.
Since I was a Two Weeks of Service volunteer, I took part in the Appalachian Immersion meetings. Appalachian Immersion is a year-long paid internship where interns get to take part in many different ministries at Good Works. In the meetings that I took part in, we had to read articles about local coal mining communities and the destruction that has been taking place because of mountain top removal. This is a very interesting topic because I never really paid attention to the great destruction that has been happening just to get coal. Surprisingly, the news does not do very many reports with this, but they occasionally mention mining disasters that kill miners. Mountain top removal, though, also causes just as bad accidents because it ruins the environment, ruins water supplies, causes floods of water and sludge, etc. This topic is very important because it shows that people really do have to save energy and protect the environment. What is really touching was that there is a Christian group that is working to stop mountain top removal and protect God’s Earth. I hope to keep up with these stories and work even harder at saving energy now that I have learned a few things about what sustaining energy does to the environment.
One of the key events that Good Works hosts is Friday Night Life. This is a community picnic for the homeless, recovering homeless, people struggling with poverty, and friends and family. I only got to attend one of these picnics this time because I was at Junior Classical League. However, I enjoyed it either way. There were a lot of people and many kids. The kids were playing various games led by Kids Club volunteers while everyone else talked and enjoyed each other’s company. I got to meet some new people, see some old, and play with the kids. I was very worn out, but I really enjoyed it. Also, the Singing Men of Ohio (SMO) came to sing a capella for us. It was wonderful and they were actually the ones who provided for the dinner. This was a great event and a great celebration of life, especially since this was my last day.
Going to Good Works has really changed my life. I truly learned a lot from the workers, the volunteers, the ones in need, the friends, the kids, the strangers, and especially God. Everyone has something to teach and I have discovered that I am definitely not done learning. So hopefully my story about this project will teach others to care and love as much as I have learned and been shown.Nicole Johnson first visited Good Works as a 9th grader in 2005 with Samson Mills Presbyterian Church and returned in the spring of 2008 to do WEEK OF SERVICE to complete a project for her senior year in high school. She is from Pittsburgh PA.
A letter from Linda Harris, who reminds us that it is never too late to follow your dreams:
A Trip To Good-Works
I had never been on a missions trip--the way churches define them nowadays--although my sister, her family and my own daughter had been on several, mainly in other countries. I never felt the urge to go overseas but have always had a great desire to spend time in Appalachia amongst the 'American' rural poor. I briefly lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia when I was just beginning my college experience. Since then I have been drawn to the people of that region; their culture, food, music, crafts and simple, hardworking lifestyle. The difficult circumstances of life in pockets of God-touched panoramas--drugs, alcoholism, incest, the tragic results of the coal-mining industry, and the generational curse of poverty (what I call 'lack of imagination')--has for as long as I can remember captured my interest and tugged at my heartstrings.
Having just moved to Florida from Kansas and being a new 'empty-nester' I decided now was the time to start doing instead of merely fantasizing about serving the Lord in the one area I had always been drawn to. I also have a wonderful husband who allows me the freedom to follow my dreams (as long as I make some sort of provision for his meals while I'm away). I had heard about Father Beiting and read several of his books regarding his work in rural Kentucky with Christian Appalachian Project. However, when I contacted CAP I was told that volunteers had to spend a minimum of 2 weeks with their program. I had only budgeted my time for one week. So to the internet I went--my first hit being Good-Works--a perfect match for everything I thought I wanted for my first missions experience. And one week was an acceptable time frame. I would be classified as a temporary summer intern. I didn't really know what that meant until I was actually there awhile!
Being 48, I didn't exactly fit in with the college kids, but that's what I attempted to do for one week. I don't know if I ever succeeded or not, but the experience (for me) was priceless. I met some of the most incredible young people during that time. They truly renewed my faith in the younger generation which is more loosely referred to as the "Me" generation. These kids were not about themselves but instead they were about the Lord's work. They were true servants in every sense. Giving up a care-free summer of their precious youth to tend to the needs of the poor speaks volumes about true Christianity and the changes it brings in our selfish, greedy hearts.
I met a young man who was legally blind but felt compelled to minister to people who just needed an ear to tell their woes to. To pray with. To be company to.
Another young man blew me away. The only African American in the group, he told me about his recent conversion to Christianity and how he gave up everything, friends, music, his whole former lifestyle to serve God. I watched him mow an old lady's lawn--the temperature was over 100 degrees--and then, with such a sweet and humble Spirit, ask her what else she would have him to do. He was a shining star that I will never forget. There were many others.
Once I accompanied two young women to a church where they were ministering to kids through games and creative activities. They were so dedicated and took their work so seriously. At night the group would talk wonderful talk about God, their future aspirations, ministry and their perspectives on the world as a whole. When I was their age I would be ashamed to tell you what I talked and thought about.
The youth group that came from some small town in central Ohio were also a delight. They ministered to the college kids by preparing meals and cheerfully went out each morning to participate in whatever project needed to be tackled.
I have many great memories from what I call my first mission's trip. Some people might not call something so close to home a mission's trip, but I believe that whenever we serve the Lord-- in whatever capacity--if our hearts are right we are certainly missionaries. And that is what God calls us all to be. That is the Great Commission. All around us are opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission. Of course it's fun to say I went on a mission's trip but in actuality everyday is a mission's trip for me. In my neighborhood, at the grocery store, at the nursing homes nearby, at the county jail, at my church, wherever there are people there are needs.
Good Works inspired me. The young people inspired me. The old people inspired me. God definitely sent me to the right place. He knew that we all need that spark of inspiration to keep us on the right track. To rekindle our first love. To see our daily lives from a new and fresh perspective.
Thanks, Good Works, for reminding me of what I need to be everyday of my life!
Linda Harris
Jessica Kauffman spent most of her time in Kid's Club and at the Timothy House.
When I started my week of internship I was expecting a busy schedule. I was very blessed by God with a week of service and time spent with Him that was emotionally restful. It was what I was needing.
He also used this week to show me even more in depth what He is teaching me. On the Spain trip a few weeks before, He was working on me being okay with standing out and being stared at by the world and with my brother. I was dealing with the fact that he is handicapped probably for life. I had always told myself he isn't and dosen't look too different. The main theme for the Kid's Clubs lessons during my week at Good Works was people with handicaps and disabilities. It was amazing to see that I knew something and could help the kids learn about kids with handicaps because I had a handicapped brother. It
really helped.
Also, God really used this week to show me and make me long even more for the dream He has put in my heart to work with street kids, gangs and prostitutes when I get older. It is amazing to see how He uses different things to teach and grow all of His children.
I think another big thing God taught me this week was how to relate to the homeless and that they aren't as different from us as we tend to think. It was amazing to see how different I felt after being at the Timothy House. I think that if I hadn't gone to the Timothy House before Friday Night Life I would have had a harder time but because I had already met some people at the Timothy House, I didn't feel as out of place and was able to set aside
my feelings and just show love and be able to listen. The whole Good Works staff was amazing. I couldn't have asked for better. Also, I had always pictured the homeless as dirty and not very nice people. I was shown during my internship that I had had a very bad picture that wasn't really true. They are more like us than any of us want to imagine and that we could be in that same circumstance. I feel very blessed that my family isn't in that kind of circumstance. God has been showing me that it is only by His grace that I have been kept safe from many things and blessed.
A letter from J. Patrick Roberson.
I recently completed a Week of Service Internship at the Hannah House and wanted to let you know how I benefited from the internship and how I will put what I've learned into action.
Probably the most important lesson that I learned was how to listen to people and let them pour out their stories, problems, or whatever, and just sincerely listen. This was especially the case when it came to interacting with the elderly Samaritan Project clients. I had this false view that the elderly were of lesser value. Obviously, I didn't think that overtly, it was more subversive, but became visible through my actions. Thanks to talking to the mowing clients I have had a serious change of perception. It was like an epiphany. I realized that I had been harboring this false view and at that same moment I realized how wrong it was. This "epiphany" was brought about because I was listening. I began to listen to people in a new way; not just nodding and waiting for a point when I would be able to interject, but just listening. I think this will be extremely helpful in my dealings with other people and help me learn from others more effectively.
Another experience that stuck out was the visit to Timothy House. The feeling of community between the residents and the staff members was phenomenal. I was apprehensive when I first arrived because I thought the residents would be tired of random volunteers coming into talk to the all the time. I was also afraid that I wouldn't have anything in common with them. But I was very wrong. The atmosphere was not what I expected at all. The residents were not reluctant to share their life stories with us volunteers. Hopefully, their sharing helped them as much as it helped me. This was a completely different vibe than I am used to when interacting with homeless persons.
I volunteer with a couple guests at a much larger shelter in Dayton and I've always been afraid to ask them questions about their lives for various reasons. Now, however, because of my experience at Timothy House, I won't be afraid to try to make connections with them.
Lastly, because of my interaction with the work group from Jackson, MI. I feel like I can be more active in my church community. There was a young man in the work group who is already a Sunday school teacher and a member of a church committee. I also noted how the group members tried to involve every age level in church life. These two factors have inspired me to get more involved in the life of my own church and campus ministry at Wright State. Previously, I was afraid that maybe my newness to the Faith and my youth would be count against me, but now I'm not afraid to give it a go.
I didn't think much could change in a week, but I feel very energized and ready to use lessons learned at Good Works in my own community. I came to help others and I was helped instead. I cannot thank you enough for just doing what you do. I thank the staff and interns for their patience, good humor, and ready ear. I know that Good Works is going through a difficult time right now, but your work is so necessary. Please persevere. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Peace,
J. Patrick Roberson
Fraley Coles is a young woman who spent one week with us, involving herself in every aspect of the Summer Service Program.
I spent one week with Good Works and it was amazing! With the help of the interns, the administration and the community of Athens I experienced what it feels like to work with the community to help the community. I also was given the opportunity to see how people can bring religion into their daily life to help make their life how they want it. And I learned that by giving a little you can receive much more.
I arrived at the Hannah House on a Saturday night in late June and had no idea of what to expect. I had made the journey from my home state of Virginia. My high school graduation had left me wanting to experience something that would be different for me. A friend who had done a week of volunteering with Good Works pointed me to Athens. So as my car pulled into the driveway of the faith-based organization I was prepared for shell-shock, all I could do was close my eyes and wonder if I would survive a week of religion. I have not been raised to be religious, therefore I am apt to become nervous when surrounded by it. But I had put myself in this situation because the Good Works community had not seemed intimidating, instead they were welcoming to my difference of not being very religious. They gave me the impression of being an open-minded organization that was proud of their beliefs but not willing to pressure individuals with them. As the week progressed I found myself excited about being involved in a religious organization. By experiencing things like devotionals and prayers throughout the day I was given a chance to learn that religion gives an opportunity for constant reflection, room for growth, a process that is not self-oriented, a way to form community and being inviting to everyone, principles for grace, love, forgiveness and the message that giving without ‘receiving’ is okay.
I was an individual volunteer, I was asked to fill out an application like an intern, I was given a room with an intern named Candace (the best roommate ever!) and I attended intern meetings. In essence, I was treated like an intern without their full responsibility. I was given the opportunity to apply what I was learning through religion to actual life. I worked with others to make Kids' Club run smoothly. We collaborated ideas and reflected on the matters at hand to make the best of every situation. In return the children gave us so much love. I will never forget hugging them goodbye, especially one specific boy named Robert, who became comfortable telling me his feelings. The mores of religion made living at Hannah house a happy experience. Residing with many other people without a guideline to live by would definitely have proven disasterous. Getting to know the residents of Timothy House, Keith Wasserman--the founder of Good Works, and the people in the community of Athens, through things like the Friday Night Supper, was a highlight of my week and I am convinced it would not have happened had it not been for the roots of religion striving for everyone to be a part of the community.
I would recommend volunteering for a week at Good Works to anyone, whether they are religious or not. I give my gratitude to every one who is involved in Good Works for giving me such a wonderful experience.
This is a letter from Kelsey Suzanne Hofer, a Week of Service volunteer who came with her parents to serve with us.
This past trip was not my first trip to Good Works. I had previously visited during the fall on a weekend mission trip and helped to build the Transformation Station. However, it was my first ever summer trip to Good Works. Therefore, I had many first-time experiences.
One of those new experiences was Kid’s Club. I quickly discovered that it was similar to Clubhouse, a ministry near my house where I volunteer, with a few startling differences.
The first day, I noticed that the kids were amazingly well-behaved. The next day, during the bible study, I made another astounding discovery: most of the kids were willing, and even eager, to hear about Jesus, and some even asked in-depth questions like, “Does that mean that even if a man killed someone he could still go to heaven?” to which Coral and Kiriam answered that yes, he could, but only if he was really sorry for what he did and asked God to forgive him.
I began to question why these kids were so different from those near Dayton. I concluded that the Appalachian culture was probably the greatest factor. While the Dayton kids are all so deeply rooted into their mindset of what’s cool versus what’s not, the Appalachian culture allows you to express your thoughts and ask questions without being given a “you’re-not-cool-anymore” glare.
Another new experience was an evening at the Timothy House. I had been there on my last visit to learn about its origin and purpose, but had never actually seen a normal evening there. The main thing that sticks out in my head concerning the Timothy House is the relationship between the Good Works staff/interns and the residents. I had heard that the residents, rather than the Good Works staff, cooked the meals and did the chores, but only on this trip did I see that the Good Works staff/interns were there to provide accountability for all the residents, even the new ones. The mental picture I have of this was taken when Derek asked a woman who had arrived only two hours earlier, “Where are your kids?” instead of letting her rest and finding out where her kids were for himself. I think that his act showed the woman that she couldn’t just sit back, relax, and let the Good Works staff/interns baby sit for her, but that she’d have to put some effort into living there.
For me, the greatest difference between fall and summer at Good Works was, without a doubt, the summer interns. I was privileged to be able to “shadow” them and soon realized what a commitment they had made.
The first thing I discovered was how busy they were. They worked hard seventeen to eighteen hours daily — not going to bed before 11:30 or 12:00 at night and waking up about 7:00 each morning to be ready for their 8:00 meeting.
Something I began to wonder about a few days after we arrived was why two of the interns shared a room, and why I shared a room with another one of the interns, when there were spare rooms close by. I asked why this was, and was told that it was to build community. That was surprising, because sharing a house with thirty other people would have been hard enough for me, let alone sharing my room with someone I’d never met before.
I’d have to say that the hardest part of my trip was definitely saying good bye to the other worship team that was there with my family, and with the interns whom I had gotten to know fairly well. And I only had to do it once. I began to think that, as an interns, building relationships with all the worship teams and then having them leave after one week, nine or ten weeks in a row, would be pretty hard. I posed that issue to Angi one afternoon on the way back from Kid’s Camp. She agreed with me, adding that it would, however, be a lot harder at the end of the summer when all of the interns dispersed after having become so close in the previous ten weeks living together.
The abundant joy I felt during my week at Good Works; the reluctance to return to regular life; and, above all, the great people I got to know, causes me to want to go back again. And, perhaps, even be an intern during some future summer.
