a few years ago i adopted my "do one new thing each month" policy. i declared 2008 my year of doing things i'd never done before. that carried over into 2009. what i find really neat is that by 2010 doing new things became part of what i do. i no longer need to think up new things that i've never done before, but i naturally seek new opportunities. i'm really happy about that.
yesterday, for the first time, i participated in the united way bus tour. it takes people to visit 4 different organizations within downtown kingston who benefit from donations thru the united way. it was really great! we all met up at the memorial centre, which was really convenient for me because the m centre is practically my front lawn. to be honest, i felt rather uncomfortable joining 45 strangers for the tour, i felt awkward and invisible. regardless, i really tried to participate to my fullest because i was pretty excited about the opportunity to learn more about our community. at one point while on the bus i had to listen to two women sitting around me about how "it's so stupid that they're doing so much work to the arena. no one uses it anymore". i really pissed me off and i wanted to interrupt them and say "actually, i live across the street from the memorial centre, and people use it all the time. there's a whole community that lives around it, and the improvements are being made for THOSE people, not for people from the west-end". it really made me feel hurt that they would completely discount the whole downtown population like that. i really regretted not speaking up, but i didn't want to seem like i was eavesdropping. anyways, on the tour we visited the CNIB (which was really neat. it made me feel like if i was a young person going to college i would totally be interested in working at the CNIB), the elizabeth fry (e-fry) society, the youth shelter, the boys and girls club, joe's mill music lending library, and the youth diversion program. as i reflected on the tour i felt disappointed that we didn't visit anywhere that provides services to regular men in need of support. we visited places for the disabled, women, teens, and children, but there wasn't a place for men to go for help. it made me wonder if it was just a coincidence or if services for men are really lacking. i totally believe that the needs of women, kids+teens, and the disabled are important FOR SURE, but a lot of the time the brokenness of women and children is caused by the brokenness of men. i really hope that they are not being ignored or expected to fend for themselves, there needs to be support for men if we are going to change our entire community. the most prominent service for men in this town are the prisons, and sadly those individuals are being TAKEN FROM these days because of the closing of the prison farms. this is NOT the way it should be.
while i was on the city bus for the tour i happened to see a poster for the terry fox run. last year i decided i wanted to participate in the "run" (on my bike) but missed the event by a few days. so now i know that it's the 19th of september. i'm going to look into it and see how to join, etc. i'd have to collect pledges right? :S i'll feel a bit awkward about that, but at least it's an organization that's well known and respected. would any of you want to sponsor my ride?? i don't really know how it works. do i just show up on the day? i registered, and received fundraising info, but will i receive anything telling me what the route is and other information necessary?? i'm kind of nervous. just like i was on the bus tour yesterday. fear of the unknown i guess. this is why i started my "do something new every month" initiative - so i would push has the hard emotional hurdles that i erect myself.
when mail comes from a place like cambodia it tends to take a long time. it's not a reflection on canada post, or even the other countries mail system, that's just how it is.
my mind is open wide,
yesterday, for the first time, i participated in the united way bus tour. it takes people to visit 4 different organizations within downtown kingston who benefit from donations thru the united way. it was really great! we all met up at the memorial centre, which was really convenient for me because the m centre is practically my front lawn. to be honest, i felt rather uncomfortable joining 45 strangers for the tour, i felt awkward and invisible. regardless, i really tried to participate to my fullest because i was pretty excited about the opportunity to learn more about our community. at one point while on the bus i had to listen to two women sitting around me about how "it's so stupid that they're doing so much work to the arena. no one uses it anymore". i really pissed me off and i wanted to interrupt them and say "actually, i live across the street from the memorial centre, and people use it all the time. there's a whole community that lives around it, and the improvements are being made for THOSE people, not for people from the west-end". it really made me feel hurt that they would completely discount the whole downtown population like that. i really regretted not speaking up, but i didn't want to seem like i was eavesdropping. anyways, on the tour we visited the CNIB (which was really neat. it made me feel like if i was a young person going to college i would totally be interested in working at the CNIB), the elizabeth fry (e-fry) society, the youth shelter, the boys and girls club, joe's mill music lending library, and the youth diversion program. as i reflected on the tour i felt disappointed that we didn't visit anywhere that provides services to regular men in need of support. we visited places for the disabled, women, teens, and children, but there wasn't a place for men to go for help. it made me wonder if it was just a coincidence or if services for men are really lacking. i totally believe that the needs of women, kids+teens, and the disabled are important FOR SURE, but a lot of the time the brokenness of women and children is caused by the brokenness of men. i really hope that they are not being ignored or expected to fend for themselves, there needs to be support for men if we are going to change our entire community. the most prominent service for men in this town are the prisons, and sadly those individuals are being TAKEN FROM these days because of the closing of the prison farms. this is NOT the way it should be.
while i was on the city bus for the tour i happened to see a poster for the terry fox run. last year i decided i wanted to participate in the "run" (on my bike) but missed the event by a few days. so now i know that it's the 19th of september. i'm going to look into it and see how to join, etc. i'd have to collect pledges right? :S i'll feel a bit awkward about that, but at least it's an organization that's well known and respected. would any of you want to sponsor my ride?? i don't really know how it works. do i just show up on the day? i registered, and received fundraising info, but will i receive anything telling me what the route is and other information necessary?? i'm kind of nervous. just like i was on the bus tour yesterday. fear of the unknown i guess. this is why i started my "do something new every month" initiative - so i would push has the hard emotional hurdles that i erect myself.
when mail comes from a place like cambodia it tends to take a long time. it's not a reflection on canada post, or even the other countries mail system, that's just how it is.
my mind is open wide,
now i'm ready to start.
1 comment:
It is a shame that you didnt speak up! there are communities downtown that are losing out because of the population boom in the 'township". Look at the recreation centre that they built! from what i understand, they are looking to close the Wally Elmer arena, and the one at between Bagot and Montreal streets. Infuriating!
I will sponsor you for the TFR!
The mail system is lacking here in Owen Sound. My mom STILL hasnt received her Christmas card.
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