Catalyst Alternative Breaks

Today, we switched hostels, and this was made difficult, due to the fact we couldn’t check in until 3pm, and it was very rainy today. The rain raised the question about how someone experiencing homelessness and food insecurity would access both housing and affordable access to food during less-than-ideal weather conditions.We had our last day of volunteer service yesterday, so today we explored the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and how the material there connects to our Catalyst trip’s topic - hunger and homelessness. This museum had six floors worth of significant information, but unfortunately we couldn’t get through the entire museum. Some of us were moved to tears in the museum--it put into perspective how exhausting it is to exist in a black body and we have seen that over the course of our trip, both in service and as observers walking through DC.

Next, we visited the National Museum of Natural History, and there, they had many exhibits dedicated to various elements of the environment and ecological systems.

Today we left Milwaukee and headed to Chicago! We arrived in Chicago and checked into our hostel and went to the Chicago Cultural Center. We got to see artwork pertaining to the history of the city, as well as see art from local artists. It was interesting to see the history of Chicago through art.

We spent our last morning in Milwaukee volunteering at the Washington Park Urban Ecology Center. We learned about how invasive plant species impact the environment, specifically species native to Wisconsin, like honeysuckle and buckthorn. We cut down buckthorn and made bundles of it to line a path to a natural playground. This setting will be where kids learn about decomposition in the environment. Washington Park is free and accessable to everyone in the community.

After lunch, we ventured over to the Milwaukee City Hall. It was an open and welcoming atmosphere. The staff members were invested in the people of Milwaukee, and wanted to ensure that their voices were heard. During the tour, we met Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee. He greeted us with a warm welcome to the city. All in all, City Hall and the Ecology Center were positive experiences, and a great way to end our time in Milwaukee.

Today our group headed back to SOME to complete more work in the warehouse packing emergency food bags and sorting through donated clothing that will be given back to the community. Following this, we hopped on the Metro to visit Capital Area Food bank, where we learned a lot about the distribution of food to many different organizations throughout the DC area that provide food services to those in need. Through gardening and many other programs, this group focuses on ending poverty related diseases with healthy, locally-grown food. 

We raked and weeded, composted and mulched, all while learning about the sustainable practices implemented throughout their organization. 

#CapitalAreaFoodBank

Today we volunteered at So Others Might Eat (SOME). SOME helps individuals get back on their feet and into the real world, while restoring dignity into their lives when they’re guests at SOME. They provide services such as healthcare, housing, and social services. We were divided into three groups--warehouse sorting and hygiene kit making, clothing donation sorting, and organize a clothing store. 

We are excited to say that we will be volunteering there for the next two days!

In addition to volunteering at our last location, we also had a family dinner at Pho 14 where we spend a lot of time laughing, talking, and simply being happy for the fact that we all met one another and were able to educate ourselves around the issue of homelessness over the past week. While the week has come to end, the memories will last a lifetime and we can use this experience to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness wherever we may travel to.

Today was our last day of the trip and it has been a very fun and challenging adventure. We started our day at D.C. Central Kitchen where all of us did various things such as packing lunches, chopping up vegetables, and cutting meat. All of the food that we prepared would be going to provide food to those who need it. D.C. Central Kitchen focuses on preventing the waste of food and expanding the accessibility of food to homeless shelters, nonprofits, and schools. Overall it was a wonderful place to volunteer and spend our last day in D.C.!

Sadly, today was our last day in Chicago. We spent the morning at the beautiful Chicago Cultural Center; it was located right across the street from Millenium Park and the Bean. The center had many exhibits on display throughout the building. Two main exhibits on show this month was about Keith Haring: A Chicago Mural and Nina Chanel Abney: Royal Flush. These two were significant because the Keith Haring’s mural brought together the youth and students of Chicago to create a peice of art for their community. Haring made the outline, but each student was able to add their own unique flavor to the final piece. Many students included personal messages, their initials, and social messages. Abney’s art work touched on social issues such as gender equality, police brutality, and corporate greed. 

One of our breakers favorite pieces was “The Boardroom” (2008) by Nina Chanel Abney. In the painting there are yellow gloves that represents “dirty work”, the artist suggests this represents that everyone is guilty of wrongdoing at some point in their lives. 

Today we spent time at Focus Hope packaging dry food for delivery and pick-up for seniors. We thought it was cool how they utilize all of the community partners in the surrounding neighborhood to provide better services as an organization. The staff we met was very welcoming. They provide meal supplies to over 14,000 people monthly.