Post-Trip | Katie Deutsch

“Alternative Spring Break challenges students to step outside their comfort zone to selflessly serve others.This year, I hope to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone, serving other individuals that have been disadvantaged by complex social, cultural, and economic issues. I hope to learn from the varying perspectives of these individuals while on Alternative Spring Break, in addition to those I am serving alongside.”

Above is an excerpt from a blog post I wrote at the beginning of this semester in anticipation of this year’s Alternative Spring Break Trip. After spending the week in Washington D.C. serving alongside fellow Wichita State students in organizations focusing on alleviating homelessness and hunger within the District, I can confidently say I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone to learn from the various individuals we served, both directly and indirectly. In reflecting on our week long service-learning trip, what strikes me the most is how similar I felt to the individuals we served. Typically, hunger and homelessness is stereotyped to the degree where those impacted are viewed as the “other” within society. I think back to Tuesday night’s fellowship dinner, for example however, and note that those I dined and played Uno with so passionately were just like me in many respects. These people, often viewed as the “other” held the title of student, sister, daughter, etc. We sat at the table and shared our love for music, movies, books, and more.

The commonalities shared between those disadvantaged by systematic barriers and those that benefit from greater levels of privileges are far more than most people think. Anyone could find themselves facing homelessness– even the most privileged are not immune. Especially when looking at the cost of living within D.C., I am humbled in thinking how I would manage to sustain myself with an entry level job if I didn’t have a strong support system in my family. Without a strong support system, health, a livable wage, etc., anyone could find themselves without a roof over their head and food on the table. Humanizing homelessness and further understanding the systematic barriers surrounding it emphasize the the dire need for policy intervention and institutional support to combat homelessness, elevating those that are disproportionately susceptible to its grip.

Back to Wichita | Li Wang

During the week of ASB, we get to volunteering at several volunteer service sites in Washington D.C. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to learn about property and homeless issue in Washington D.C. During the week I have meet people who inspire others to read; who provide in dietary need patients healthy food; who gives  furnitures to family needs; and who helping seniors have a better living conditions.  Compare Wichita and Washington DC I think we have less visible homeless populations, but it doesn’t means it is not exist. I often see people live on the streets and think what can I do to help them out. I think after my experience in Washington DC I know what I can do to make them feel more like anyone else. Just treat them like everyone else. There was many organizations in Wichita that provides service to homeless people and the people who live in poverty. What I can do to help is go volunteer at the organizations, and tell the people who needs the service that their was a place they can go. Last year I get to go to New York City. We have an service pitch in ASB class. The project that we worked all summer was WACK project. I want to continue work with Stephanie to help wherever I can, to raise awareness about food waste in the Wichita community.  I want to put my hard work into this issue. I believe it will inspire someone to do something about it. This blog it’s a reminder to myself that continue work on the issue, don’t quit or put it back about the things that I want to do.

Post Trip | Hayden Schrag

We all finally made it back to Wichita late Friday night, and it sure feels nice to be home! While our group was reflecting in D.C. we decided that we as students and volunteers needed to spread the word about our experiences, sharing what we learned from our past week.Since being back I was able to see my family and tell them all about my trip. The Sunflower also wrote up an article about our trip to publish, and Baylee and I had the honor of sharing what we had learned in our nation’s capitol. In class this past Tuesday we also spoke about future service events we will be participating in, which is exciting knowing that our service doesn’t have to stop when our trip does. I am very eager to see what my schedule looks like next spring, because I am all for going on the ASB trip at least one more time! Thank you to all that have been keeping up with our blogs as well!

Post Trip | Kellie Deutsch

Let me start off by saying this: I experienced more than I can write, and I learned and grew more than I can express. Ever since I got back from D.C., people have been asking me how the trip was. It has been hard for me to sort out everything that I experienced while on the trip. I can’t fully put into words everything that I experienced and learned, but I will share some final thoughts and lessons that I learned.

1. Homelessness can happen to anyone. Situations can change and events can occur that may take away the things you thought could never be taken away from you. Maybe a natural disaster. Maybe an injury. Maybe the loss of a job. Maybe a divorce. Maybe the death of a loved one. Homelessness can happen to anyone.
2. People who are homeless and experience food insecurity are human beings with stories. Stereotypes don’t tell their stories. Stereotypes are damaging, so research and actually learn the primary causes of homelessness and food insecurity. While on the trip, I learned that the top cause of homelessness in D.C. is affordable house. Read, listen, and learn!
3. People who are homeless and/or hungry are more similar to us than we realize and more different from us than we always acknowledge. Similarities? They are human. They have hobbies, dreams, families, friends, stories, talents, beliefs, etc. that might be the same as ours. I met a man named Harold at the YSOP service dinner who was also a Christian and who also like the outdoors. We had many other things in common, but I would have never known our similarities had we not talked. Differences? Their sleeping situation might be on a concrete sidewalk with nothing but a thin blanket to shelter them from the cold. They might have been born with different privileges. They may not have the luxuries that we take for granted.
4. The golden rule: treat other as you would like to be treated. Many of the organizations we volunteered at valued dignity. I like to be treated with dignity, so I should treat people who are homeless and food insecure with dignity. This means giving clothes and items that don’t have stains or rips on them. This means giving serving a delicious, nutritious meal rather than a gross, unhealthy one. This means engaging in conversation and being kind. Treat people who are homeless and hungry with dignity.
5. When we want to help, we should ask the people, organizations, and communities we want to serve how we can best help. If we fail ask how we can help, we are assuming we know the problems and solutions. Just because we see a need does not mean that we automatically know what the person, organization, or community most needs. If we simply ask, we can get a better idea of how to serve and help.
6. At the end of the day, it is about love and being kind to one another. Love those who you know. Love those who you don’t know. Love those who are different from you. Love those who are similar to you. Love those who look like they don’t need help. Love those who look like they need help. Above all, love.

This trip was a blast. I enjoyed serving people and organizations, exploring D.C., bonding with the team, and learning more about homelessness and food insecurity. I hope to continue to reflect on this trip and the lessons that I learned. I am motivated to support and serve organizations in Wichita that promote values such as dignity, love, and selflessness through giving my time, talents, and treasures. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve, learn, and grow through the Alternative Spring Break trip and class.

Post-trip thoughts | Nibras Karim

After coming back from D.C., I have a lot of mixed feelings.

Half of me wants to go back and continue the work that we were doing there. Doing service in D.C. felt impactful. Compared to Wichita, D.C. nonprofits were more developed and well connected. I work at a nonprofit and here in Wichita funding is such an issue that programs are more competitive than collaborative, which causes the service to be less effective and efficient.  Also, in D.C. there seemed to be a stronger culture of understanding and open-mindedness where they were able to be more accepting of the community and circumstances.

The other half of me knows that there needs to be work done in Wichita. This half of me is ready to take on the challenge of helping the Wichita community to progress. I know that seeing the organizations in D.C. that have developed and improved over many years makes it seem like that there is less work to do. Having it nicely packaged like that is tempting, but I can’t just be lazy like that or else nothing would change. I know that I don’t have to end hunger and homelessness by myself or even at all, but I really want things to change and for me it’s a challenge that I cannot ignore.

So I guess I am encouraged but scared….

Absorption | Ari Kopycinski

Waking up yesterday and today has been both difficult and surreal. Being in D.C. made everything so real from our class that I could see myself in that routine of service every day. To me, coming back home has made that need in the homeless and food insecure community more invisible. I live in a middle-upper-class neighborhood and I work retail that serves suburban moms and retired grandparents, mostly all white. It’s like I’m going into reverse culture shock. 

I still need time to absorb and process all of the experiences that I have gone through, but one thing has been hammered into my brain this past week: dignity. Dignity is where it began at Martha’s Table, and that message has carried itself with me throughout the week in D.C. Whether someone is a person that is food insecure or a person that is homeless or a person that  needs a new pair of shoes, everyone is a person that deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. I knew this subconsciously before going on this trip, but to see otherwise by people that are privileged reinforces the standard that needs to be upheld. Serving someone in a way that allows them to keep their dignity is the only way to serve someone, and serving them according to their standards and needs, not your own wants, is the only way to serve someone. This trip reinforced those ideals in my service life, and I desire to and will continue to practice them. 

I will miss Washington, D.C., and I know that I will return there both to participate in service and to visit it as a tourist, but I am so excited to bring back the principles that I have learned to my own community in Wichita and beyond. 

The aftermath- Bri Williams

I still havent caught up om sleep. Im not quite back in yhe swing of things, but I’m keeping extremely busy. I have told everyone who has asked about my trip how i felt amd how great of an experince it was.

 Some personal things happened and I was almost not able to go, but there is always a way out of no way. Im really glad I got to make this trip, because ot tught me something about my heart. I have a care for everyone. This trip also helped me understand the small privileges I have cam easily be taken from me. Although my circumstances are different, I am no different than a homeless person. 

One thing I got from this trip was, although life is hard find time to smile and appreciate everything you have.

Farewell D.C.

Bri Williams 

Van Gogh’s Sore Ankles | Ari Kopycinski

On our last day in Washington, D.C. we were able to explore the city and do a bit more sight seeing before our flight. Our day began before the sun had even risen, and a group of us were able to make it to the Washington Monument to see the sun rise behind the Capitol Building. Then, splitting up, my friend Sandy and I took the metro to the other side of the Capitol Building to go to the Library of Congress, which was breathtaking. 

Aside from the amazing architecture, the Library of Congress also had a few exhibits for us to look through. We went through both in their entirety, and they were an exhibit on Early Americas and an exhibit on Thomas Jefferson’s Library. 

We also perused through the amazing gift shop and met up with our other friend Nibras to go to lunch at Cafe Kimchi. Finally, we took a bus to the National Gallery of Art, and I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful it was there. We were only able to go through one wing of art, but we did manage to bask in the magnificence of both Monet and Van Gogh (my personal favorite artist). 

We took a quick spin around the gift shop and then trekked back to YSOP, where we deflated our air mattresses and shuttled to the airport and onto a plane bound for Wichita. My time in Washington, D.C. has changed me, and it has made me think differently about both service and service-learning. It has also given me extremely sore feet and ankles! 

Next blog will be coming at you from home!

Day Five Explore Washington DC | Li Wang

Conclusion of ASB trip

This was such a great learning experience and I loved helping the DC community. It was such a blessing to work with so many people and getting to know many more. The first day was an eye opener on what would be happening the following days and I enjoyed each day. I spent time cleaning furniture to feeding the home less to helping the elderly to reading to children. It was an amazing experience getting to know a portion of the DC community and I hope I can use what I learned from there over here in Kansas. I’m very appreciative that I got to do this kind of service and I hope I can do it again in the future.