I was burned out. “I swear, if I have to look at this program one more time”.....these were the thoughts running thru my head last week as we prepared for our campaign celebration breakfast this past Friday.
In the middle of the preparations for this event, I scheduled a tour of CP Rochester. I’m glad I did – because it helped me remember why I love working at United Way so much – why we do what we do here. To be able to put a face on the people that we help every day is amazing. Just walking thru the halls of CP Rochester - full of bright murals and smiling faces - gave me an overwhelming “warm and fuzzy” feeling. Let me tell you a little bit about what I learned.
United Way funds a really cool program at CP Rochester - called the Assisted Technology program. It was actually featured in this year’s campaign film with Doug Lemke. CP Rochester helped Doug get the computer that he communicates with. Before he lost the ability to speak, he recorded several things in his own voice so that he could play them back to his family. In this years film- it shows how Doug is able to say “I Love You” to his family. Every time I watch that part it brings tears to my eyes. CP Rochester even has an apartment that they train people with disabilities to live independently and be self sufficient.
No matter how stressed and frustrated I get at work- I just think of all the people I have met at my agency visits, and it calms me right away. That is the lesson learned of the week: how does your job make a difference in the lives of others?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
The campaign may be over, but we can't stop now!
Thanks to your support, we made our 2007 campaign goal – and we are standing proud because of what your gift will do to help people in our community who need help the most.
It may seem a little trite, but I feel like I have grown up in this campaign. This is my second campaign with the United Way of Gr. Rochester - but now I feel like have arrived. I have been through it, and I did it. Thanks to wonderful United Way supporters like you.
You helped us accomplish so much – and while this campaign may officially be over, in many ways, we’ve only just begun.
Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes here at United Way:
As I write this, our finance department is working long and hard to get the numbers totaled - making sure every penny is accounted for.
Our Community Impact staffers are working with the agencies and the programs we support, and they’re looking at applications from agencies who would like our help.
Our leadership staff is doing an incredible job giving us direction and insight, and probably most importantly, there is our support staff. Their work is never done and they are truly the cog in all our wheels.
What I am trying to say is, campaign “crunch time” may be over, and while we all are looking forward to returning to a more “normal” pace – we are hard at work, year round, to make sure your donations are making the biggest difference in our community!
It may seem a little trite, but I feel like I have grown up in this campaign. This is my second campaign with the United Way of Gr. Rochester - but now I feel like have arrived. I have been through it, and I did it. Thanks to wonderful United Way supporters like you.
You helped us accomplish so much – and while this campaign may officially be over, in many ways, we’ve only just begun.
Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes here at United Way:
As I write this, our finance department is working long and hard to get the numbers totaled - making sure every penny is accounted for.
Our Community Impact staffers are working with the agencies and the programs we support, and they’re looking at applications from agencies who would like our help.
Our leadership staff is doing an incredible job giving us direction and insight, and probably most importantly, there is our support staff. Their work is never done and they are truly the cog in all our wheels.
What I am trying to say is, campaign “crunch time” may be over, and while we all are looking forward to returning to a more “normal” pace – we are hard at work, year round, to make sure your donations are making the biggest difference in our community!
Monday, June 18, 2007
What about prom, Blane? ... WHAT ABOUT PROM?!?
So this friend of mine who is a tenth grader at Jefferson High School went to the prom recently. I'll be honest- when she called me, all excited: "Guess what! I'm going to the prom!" Super United Way Girl's first reaction was to THINK: Hoo boy, who's paying for this. I know- I am. My friend- let's call her D for Drama- has a boyfriend who has been locked up in Industry for several months, so I asked her (somewhat grumpily, I'm sure) who was taking her. When she told me it was a friend who was a senior, graduating, and going to Syracuse University in the fall, I cooed, "Ohhhhhhhhhh! When do we go shopping?"
It's a bit tough for me to easily (or at least succinctly) describe my relationship with D. When I used to work at a human services agency (this was BEFORE I became Super United Way Girl), there was a family who lived a couple doors down, and their kids used to play in our parking lot. Some of them lived with grandma; others were dropped off for grandma to watch during the day. I remember having some random thoughts about signing up for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I was 31, no kids of my own, no nieces or nephews even. I'm sure my biological clock was somehow involved: "must... get... mommy/auntie...fix."
So anyway, D was 6 and decided that I was her best friend. To the best of my memory, she asked me one day whether I had any candy, I went to the drug store across the street to get her and the other kids some, and she told me I was her best friend ever. (This is how clueless I was about kids- I didn't even think about nut allergies or anything like that).
D's grandma had custody of her and some of her cousins. D's mom has struggled with drug addiction, and D was born with drugs in her system. The family doesn't have a lot of money for "extras", so I started to take her (usually with her sister and/or a cousin... or two) to different places (the Strong Museum was a huge favorite) and hook them up with activities such as Baden Street's summer camp. And D's and my relationship evolved so that I became her informal mentor. Now, I'll be honest- if I could do this all over again, I would DEFINITELY do it- but I would have formalized this relationship through Big Brothers Big Sisters or another mentoring program. Why? Because I was 31 with no kids of my own and really pretty clueless in a lot of ways. I actually had worked as a mentor/advocate for a couple of years, but with older kids, and in some ways, my paid work experience was more of a hindrance than a help. With D, my role was somewhat muddled- sometimes I ended up acting like the typical mentor (let's do this fun thing, let me help you with your homework) and other times I acted more like a social worker (not a very good one, because I didn't have the objectivity I needed to deal effectively with different situations. There probably is truth to that old adage that a doctor should never treat his/her own relatives.)
D was an extremely cute, sweet kid who is now developing into quite the lovely young lady, but she has had different behavioral issues that have been really difficult for me to deal with and understand. It's always a roller coaster ride- we'll have one marking period where she is a high honor roll student where every comment on her report card is "Is a pleasure to have in class", and the next one, she gets a long-term suspension for fighting. So if I could go back in time, I would have signed us up with a mentoring organization for access to training and support. Personally, I think it would have been good for both of us.There are a lot of ways D has had a positive impact on ME. One can (and people often do) look at kids like D in terms of negative categories. She lives in a home where none of her immediate family has graduated with a high school diploma. Many members have struggled with addiction and mental illness, and have lived in many poor, high crime neighborhoods where the issues her family deals with are not the exception, but the rule.
But D is more than a list of problems or "risk factors". She is smart, exasperating, funny, loving, flirty, mature beyond her years one moment and a little girl the next- not that different from my teenage niece-by-marriage in a lot of ways.
The big difference - D's environment has a LOT more negative influences and not as many of the positive ones that my niece can just take for granted. I worry that D's boyfriend from Industry- or the kids who sell drugs in her neighborhood- will pull her toward illegal or unhealthy behavior. And I inwardly cheer every time she makes a friend who is doing well in school (i.e. Mr. Syracuse University prom date!) or a teacher takes a special interest in her. Hopefully, D has enough positive influences going to enable her to "break the curve" and achieve her goal of becoming a teacher. (She certainly has the brains to do so.)
My experience with D, as well as my professional experience in human services, has convinced me that it is not realistic to expect one short-term program to be the silver bullet for life long success for kids like D. But our friendship has also convinced me that it is important NOT to write these kids off, and the combined efforts of different persons in the community can make a big difference in helping underprivileged youth develop their talents and achieve in school. This is one reason why I'm so glad that United Way funds programs like Community Place of Greater Rochester's Beacons Youth Development Program (which is strives to create a "culture of opportunity" for youth like D as an antidote to the streets) and participates in cross sector collaborative efforts like the Rochester Children's Zone.
Prior to the prom, D told me at least three times: "I'm going to be the first in my family to go to the prom and the first to graduate from high school." (I asked her which she thought was more important to ME, and she rolled her eyes and said "graduation"). I plan to be up there in the front row at graduation with enough tissues for me, her mom, and her grandma, and to hopefully, embarrass the hell out of her with cheering and screaming.
(PS - If you want to learn more about becoming a mentor, visit Big Brothers, Big Sisters web site at http://www.bbbsr.org/)
It's a bit tough for me to easily (or at least succinctly) describe my relationship with D. When I used to work at a human services agency (this was BEFORE I became Super United Way Girl), there was a family who lived a couple doors down, and their kids used to play in our parking lot. Some of them lived with grandma; others were dropped off for grandma to watch during the day. I remember having some random thoughts about signing up for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I was 31, no kids of my own, no nieces or nephews even. I'm sure my biological clock was somehow involved: "must... get... mommy/auntie...fix."
So anyway, D was 6 and decided that I was her best friend. To the best of my memory, she asked me one day whether I had any candy, I went to the drug store across the street to get her and the other kids some, and she told me I was her best friend ever. (This is how clueless I was about kids- I didn't even think about nut allergies or anything like that).
D's grandma had custody of her and some of her cousins. D's mom has struggled with drug addiction, and D was born with drugs in her system. The family doesn't have a lot of money for "extras", so I started to take her (usually with her sister and/or a cousin... or two) to different places (the Strong Museum was a huge favorite) and hook them up with activities such as Baden Street's summer camp. And D's and my relationship evolved so that I became her informal mentor. Now, I'll be honest- if I could do this all over again, I would DEFINITELY do it- but I would have formalized this relationship through Big Brothers Big Sisters or another mentoring program. Why? Because I was 31 with no kids of my own and really pretty clueless in a lot of ways. I actually had worked as a mentor/advocate for a couple of years, but with older kids, and in some ways, my paid work experience was more of a hindrance than a help. With D, my role was somewhat muddled- sometimes I ended up acting like the typical mentor (let's do this fun thing, let me help you with your homework) and other times I acted more like a social worker (not a very good one, because I didn't have the objectivity I needed to deal effectively with different situations. There probably is truth to that old adage that a doctor should never treat his/her own relatives.)
D was an extremely cute, sweet kid who is now developing into quite the lovely young lady, but she has had different behavioral issues that have been really difficult for me to deal with and understand. It's always a roller coaster ride- we'll have one marking period where she is a high honor roll student where every comment on her report card is "Is a pleasure to have in class", and the next one, she gets a long-term suspension for fighting. So if I could go back in time, I would have signed us up with a mentoring organization for access to training and support. Personally, I think it would have been good for both of us.There are a lot of ways D has had a positive impact on ME. One can (and people often do) look at kids like D in terms of negative categories. She lives in a home where none of her immediate family has graduated with a high school diploma. Many members have struggled with addiction and mental illness, and have lived in many poor, high crime neighborhoods where the issues her family deals with are not the exception, but the rule.
But D is more than a list of problems or "risk factors". She is smart, exasperating, funny, loving, flirty, mature beyond her years one moment and a little girl the next- not that different from my teenage niece-by-marriage in a lot of ways.
The big difference - D's environment has a LOT more negative influences and not as many of the positive ones that my niece can just take for granted. I worry that D's boyfriend from Industry- or the kids who sell drugs in her neighborhood- will pull her toward illegal or unhealthy behavior. And I inwardly cheer every time she makes a friend who is doing well in school (i.e. Mr. Syracuse University prom date!) or a teacher takes a special interest in her. Hopefully, D has enough positive influences going to enable her to "break the curve" and achieve her goal of becoming a teacher. (She certainly has the brains to do so.)
My experience with D, as well as my professional experience in human services, has convinced me that it is not realistic to expect one short-term program to be the silver bullet for life long success for kids like D. But our friendship has also convinced me that it is important NOT to write these kids off, and the combined efforts of different persons in the community can make a big difference in helping underprivileged youth develop their talents and achieve in school. This is one reason why I'm so glad that United Way funds programs like Community Place of Greater Rochester's Beacons Youth Development Program (which is strives to create a "culture of opportunity" for youth like D as an antidote to the streets) and participates in cross sector collaborative efforts like the Rochester Children's Zone.
Prior to the prom, D told me at least three times: "I'm going to be the first in my family to go to the prom and the first to graduate from high school." (I asked her which she thought was more important to ME, and she rolled her eyes and said "graduation"). I plan to be up there in the front row at graduation with enough tissues for me, her mom, and her grandma, and to hopefully, embarrass the hell out of her with cheering and screaming.
(PS - If you want to learn more about becoming a mentor, visit Big Brothers, Big Sisters web site at http://www.bbbsr.org/)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
New Job Brings New Experiences
Let me first tell you a little bit about what I do here at United Way. I recently moved from the resource development department to the Community Investment division as Program Officer. So essentially, my job is to work with some of the agencies that fall under the “Strengthening People and Families” area.
As a way to become more familiar with my new responsibilities, I’ve been visiting the different agencies– to get a sense of how the programs we support work. One of the first programs I went to was the ARC of Monroe County, Arc Works Program. This is a sheltered work program - and although I knew what a sheltered work program was - I have never visited one. For those of you who don’t know, a sheltered work program is a place where someone who has a disability who wishes to work can go receive training and employment.
As I pulled into the large parking lot of Arc Works on Lyell Avenue, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I first met with Kathy, the Sr. Administrator of Transition Services to learn more about the program. She explained that the ARC Works Program provides specialized employment for adults with developmental disabilities. People who participate in the program receive paid work opportunities, support, as well as paid holiday and vacation time.
Next I got to tour the facility. I originally thought this program would be done in several office rooms throughout the building – but, to my surprise, it was a huge warehouse filled with people working diligently at their task at hand. At the different work areas, I learned about the jobs people were doing – like sorting, packaging, counting, moving, and testing various objects for different companies.
It was incredible to see how certain machines were adapted so that people with various abilities could use them. For example, one person was using a machine – making a certain part for an automobile - by folding levers over. Another person was making the exact same part by pressing a button. In another area, I saw someone putting 6 objects into a bag, then into a package. I noticed the worker was first placing the objects over a sheet that was taped to the table - with the outline of the object - and then began bagging them. When I asked about this process, Kathy explained that the sheet served as an aid for the person who had difficulty counting - to be sure that they were putting the right amount of objects in the bag.
It was really great to see first hand how the Arc Works Program worked, and to see a United Way supported program in action – helping people who otherwise may have been overlooked, work to their full potential. If you want to learn more about Arc Works, visit http://www.arcmonroe.org.
As a way to become more familiar with my new responsibilities, I’ve been visiting the different agencies– to get a sense of how the programs we support work. One of the first programs I went to was the ARC of Monroe County, Arc Works Program. This is a sheltered work program - and although I knew what a sheltered work program was - I have never visited one. For those of you who don’t know, a sheltered work program is a place where someone who has a disability who wishes to work can go receive training and employment.
As I pulled into the large parking lot of Arc Works on Lyell Avenue, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I first met with Kathy, the Sr. Administrator of Transition Services to learn more about the program. She explained that the ARC Works Program provides specialized employment for adults with developmental disabilities. People who participate in the program receive paid work opportunities, support, as well as paid holiday and vacation time.
Next I got to tour the facility. I originally thought this program would be done in several office rooms throughout the building – but, to my surprise, it was a huge warehouse filled with people working diligently at their task at hand. At the different work areas, I learned about the jobs people were doing – like sorting, packaging, counting, moving, and testing various objects for different companies.
It was incredible to see how certain machines were adapted so that people with various abilities could use them. For example, one person was using a machine – making a certain part for an automobile - by folding levers over. Another person was making the exact same part by pressing a button. In another area, I saw someone putting 6 objects into a bag, then into a package. I noticed the worker was first placing the objects over a sheet that was taped to the table - with the outline of the object - and then began bagging them. When I asked about this process, Kathy explained that the sheet served as an aid for the person who had difficulty counting - to be sure that they were putting the right amount of objects in the bag.
It was really great to see first hand how the Arc Works Program worked, and to see a United Way supported program in action – helping people who otherwise may have been overlooked, work to their full potential. If you want to learn more about Arc Works, visit http://www.arcmonroe.org.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Stamp Out Hunger
This morning United Way received a very important package – a big envelope full of thank you letters written by the first grade class at School #33. They were thanking us for having them be a part of our Stamp Out Hunger kickoff on Monday.
In case you didn’t know - Stamp Out Hunger is a yearly event put on by our local letter carriers and United Way. This year, we kicked off the week long food drive at Freshlink Farms in Penfield. The first grade class learned about healthy eating choices, and got to see how vegetables are grown using hydroponics (the really cool science of growing plants indoors using nutrient solutions instead of soil). The kids toured the whole farm and even were able to try a fresh cucumber and edible flowers. (Some of the kids didn’t care too much for the flowers!) At the end of the tour, the kids also go to plant their very own basil to bring home.
During the summer there are few subsidized meal programs and the food pantries are stretched to their limits. That’s why Stamp Out Hunger is so important to families in our community, and the food pantries. (By the way, hunger isn’t just a city issue. Some of your friends and neighbors in the suburbs might be having trouble making ends meet too – you never know!). The good news is - you still have time to make a difference. Leave your non perishable foods by your mailbox through Saturday – things like cereal, mac and cheese, peanut butter – that kind of stuff. It’s that simple, and you can feel good about helping our community.
In case you didn’t know - Stamp Out Hunger is a yearly event put on by our local letter carriers and United Way. This year, we kicked off the week long food drive at Freshlink Farms in Penfield. The first grade class learned about healthy eating choices, and got to see how vegetables are grown using hydroponics (the really cool science of growing plants indoors using nutrient solutions instead of soil). The kids toured the whole farm and even were able to try a fresh cucumber and edible flowers. (Some of the kids didn’t care too much for the flowers!) At the end of the tour, the kids also go to plant their very own basil to bring home.
During the summer there are few subsidized meal programs and the food pantries are stretched to their limits. That’s why Stamp Out Hunger is so important to families in our community, and the food pantries. (By the way, hunger isn’t just a city issue. Some of your friends and neighbors in the suburbs might be having trouble making ends meet too – you never know!). The good news is - you still have time to make a difference. Leave your non perishable foods by your mailbox through Saturday – things like cereal, mac and cheese, peanut butter – that kind of stuff. It’s that simple, and you can feel good about helping our community.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Can I Brag?
Have you ever had a job where your mentality was, “I come in. I do my work. I go home.” Maybe you are there now?
I was there. I was there even a year ago! I have been at United Way for over 3 years. I used to think of my finance job as JUST that - A job.
I am not sure what changed for me this past year – But can I brag about what those changes look like? It hit me one day. I love my job. I love who I work with.
I love what United Way stands for. And I LOVE that I am a part of it.
I took a long, hard look around me & came to some realizations. I feel as though I am a part of a family. I am different, yes. My fashion sense may be a little ………unique & I have different views & opinions (everyone does!) & my sense of humor may be a little ……dry – and yet, I feel accepted.
I realized that I respect my co-workers and they respect me. If there is ever a problem or concern, it seems to work itself out. I am given the freedom to be honest & voice those concerns.
I am given opportunities to expand my horizons – to learn & grow.
We are all a part of a very important task. An important goal. I am a part of it.
How can I even blog this into words how proud I am of being right here. Right now?
My last blog, I wrote about our internal campaign & how good it feels to be able to be yourself at your job. Can I say it again? It feels really good.
Would I be considered a nerd if I said that I actually look forward to coming into work and working??
It took me awhile to get to this exact spot of feeling like, “I get it. I get that my role is important.” Trust me, I’ve had my days of where I have SO NOT wanted to come to work. Some mornings, I would even get a pang of anxiety. It was because I didn’t open myself up to realizing things.
Realizing that my role is important & that people respect me just for being me.
So – I challenge you. Today. Right now. If you are in that spot of “just coming in & doing my job” – challenge yourself to change your outlook. It doesn’t matter where you are. Somehow, some way YOU ARE making a difference. Your role DOES matter.
Believe it.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Every Dollar Counts
This week I was able to tag along with a couple of our Campaign staffers to receive a check from kids who go to the Crestwood Children’s Center. The kids had raised $11.13 for the United Way and wanted to present a check to us.
They presented their gift to us at their weekly Success Assembly. Let me tell you - it was the coolest thing to witness! It was a mini-auditorium full of bright colors and murals on the walls. The excitement in the air was awesome!
These kids are part of the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) program. They are anywhere from 3-12 years old, and are enrolled in the day program there. Day Treatment serves kids who are experiencing school-related and/or family problems. Day Treatment provides a stable, consistent environment where emotional and educational needs can be met.
I think that the most amazing thing about this whole experience was that the kids at the school were the ones that decided to raise the money. One of the core ideas behind the PBIS program is helping yourself and others. The UW campaign posters were up around the building for the staff and the kids decided that they could also help others in need.
This is probably my favorite part of my job - dealing with the kids who our donors help through their gifts. Just last week we had a kindergarten class from School #12 enrolled in the Strong Start program come in to help announce how much we raised in this year’s campaign.
We are proudly displaying the check for $11.13 by the employee entrance. Every dollar counts—and is so meaningful.
They presented their gift to us at their weekly Success Assembly. Let me tell you - it was the coolest thing to witness! It was a mini-auditorium full of bright colors and murals on the walls. The excitement in the air was awesome!
These kids are part of the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) program. They are anywhere from 3-12 years old, and are enrolled in the day program there. Day Treatment serves kids who are experiencing school-related and/or family problems. Day Treatment provides a stable, consistent environment where emotional and educational needs can be met.
I think that the most amazing thing about this whole experience was that the kids at the school were the ones that decided to raise the money. One of the core ideas behind the PBIS program is helping yourself and others. The UW campaign posters were up around the building for the staff and the kids decided that they could also help others in need.
This is probably my favorite part of my job - dealing with the kids who our donors help through their gifts. Just last week we had a kindergarten class from School #12 enrolled in the Strong Start program come in to help announce how much we raised in this year’s campaign.
We are proudly displaying the check for $11.13 by the employee entrance. Every dollar counts—and is so meaningful.
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