Blog Post #1
Strength is at the core of the women
living at Sheffield Place. They sacrifice, take risks, and venture out of their
comfort zones to provide for their children. It has been moving and inspiring
to hear the perspectives and journeys of some of Sheffield Place’s current
clients. Their dedication and resilience is evident in the way they carry
themselves. Between attending classes, working full time or multiple part time
jobs, caring for their children, and striving toward obtaining permanent
housing, these women show they are extremely powerful and capable of anything
they put their hearts and minds to. As a woman, I am in awe of their drive. As
a student, I am humbled to be allowed into their home to learn and serve. As a
future healthcare professional, I am grateful to know there are organizations
like Sheffield place working to connect individuals to basic needs that are
absolutely essential to our ability to thrive and achieve stability.
Blog Post #2
From this past week of working with
Sheffield Place, I have learned so much that I can carry with me into my future
personal and professional life. This post is dedicated to sharing the five
things that I admire most about Sheffield Place. First, they focus on serving
homeless mothers with the highest needs and highest barriers. Very few
organizations are willing to dedicate the time and resources necessary to make
this possible. It is the perfect niche for Sheffield Place. Second, Sheffield
Place is constantly reevaluating the ways in which they can expand their
resources and meet the growing need in the surrounding community. Recently,
they bought a building that will be renovated into 7 new apartments! The third
thing I admire about Sheffield Place is that they commit to providing ongoing
services to their clients until they decide they are ready to discontinue. This
continued support and long-lasting relationship will undoubtedly make the
transition to permanent housing much smoother for these mothers. Next, I am in
awe at the amount of services that are even available at Sheffield Place - and
in the main residential building, nonetheless. This is not only convenient for
these busy mothers, but also necessary for their healing and recovery. Finally,
I admire Sheffield Place for the atmosphere of love, hope, and family that they
create for all of their clients. When you walk into the main building, you are
welcomed, respected, and valued.
Blog Post #3
Sheffield Place has taught me so much
about homelessness in regards to barriers women and their children face.
Speaking to families about their stories and how they ended up arriving here
has moved me in my personal life and career. Being given a new understanding
like this one is something that I believe every future healthcare provider
should experience. These are some of the most hardworking women I have ever
met; from morning until night they are working in classes, at a job, doing
chores, or taking care of their children and that is on top of personal
stressors, trauma, and other barriers. This facility is phenomenal.
Blog Post #4
The week I visited Sheffield Place, so many emotions were felt,
so many different perspectives were gained, but so many people were helped. At
first I felt anxious because I didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived at
Sheffield Place (SP), I noticed gates, a clean yard, and a sign with a profound
statement: “Safe today, Strong tomorrow”. I was curious as to what was inside.
When we walked in, well wait. First we got to the door and realized we had to
buzz in to get inside. I guess that’s a part of their “double barrier”. David
greets us on in with a smile and I see inside all of these colorful posters,
beautiful dark wooden furniture and architectural details, but most of all,
staff with warm and friendly smiles. I think what Sheffield Place does really well
is that they act more like a family and less like a charitable business. Here,
people are treated like people, not cases, who need a home with a welcoming
family environment. SP takes strong moms without judgement, without
victimization and with more empathy and less sympathy. SP actively tries to
understand and accept their residents as they seek structure and
self-sufficiency, done thru teachings on empowerment. Though SP does a lot for
these women. I’d like to say that the women living in SP are already very
strong due to the adversity in life they’ve faced, ranging from each unique
individual to the next. Nothing made me happier than seeing new women come into
the house with their children, with pure excitement of a new chapter. It seemed
like there’s always another one coming in needing a little lending hand, left
and right someone had boxes to be moved. Sometimes that’s all someone needs. SP
inspires me and whoever is reading this hopefully, to extend this gratitude
toward others, and to remember that all it takes sometimes is one saving grace.
I hope to be there for someone just one time, to change their life completely;
the whole trajectory… Just as SP has done for so many, and continues to do more
of every year. I guess blood is thicker than water in KC, and everyone just
needs to find a family to lean on.
More empathy, less sympathy
More constructive help, less fabricated help
More family, less business profit
More consideration, less assumption
More hope, less dwelling
Future, not the past
Focusing on more of the access, and less of the barriers.
Hope over dreams, which eventually become reality.
Blog Post #5
My experience at Sheffield Place
Being at Sheffield Place this week has taught me a lot to be
grateful for. A roof over my head, an amazing support system, and food on the
table are some to list. Sheffield Place gives these women the tools for success
and self-sufficiency to thrive in the world. They give these women a support
system so they do not have to feel discouraged or broken. Sheffield Place is a
place for education, growth, and revamping on life. The world could use more
centers like this one to give more women in the world stepping stones to a
sustainable life. Women are the ones who bring new life into the world thus,
women deserve a little more help and guidance along the way in their life if
they need it. I will carry this experience throughout my healthcare profession
and remaining adult life.
Blog Post #6
I wasn’t sure what the tenants of Sheffield Place would be
like before meeting them. I thought maybe they would be timid and closed off
and generally ignore volunteers such as myself. After one week of working with
the individuals of Sheffield Place, I’ve found the tenants to be very kind and friendly
and with a demeanor that displays strength and gratitude. I am very grateful to
have had the opportunity to meet the women and children of Sheffield Place and
the chance to hear some of the valuable life advice/wisdom these women have.
Blog Post #7
Sheffield Place provides so many resources for women and
their children that I was unaware of until I came to volunteer here. We helped
clean houses, apartments in Sheffield Place, and moved clients. I enjoyed
seeing these women transfer out of Sheffield Place and into their “forever
homes”. The classes and structure that Sheffield Place provides, inspires a road
to recovery and healing for these families. Sheffield Place is slowly expanding
and will be able to serve even more women in the future. They are breaking down
barriers to homelessness in their community.
Blog Post #8
This week at Sheffield Place has been the most rewarding
experience volunteering I have ever had. These mothers have gone through so
much and still keep going. They inspire me to keep going in hard times and made
me realize how fortunate I am for the things I have. Before coming to Sheffield
Place, I assumed all the women would have substance abuse issues but when I got
here, I realized that many of the women are normal people that had multiple
barriers that caused them to be homeless. This experience has opened my eyes to
all the different barriers and challenges with homelessness.
