Location: Ruth Shriman Christopher House
Date: Friday, October 4, 2013; 4:00-7:00 pm
I had already shadowed two ‘Youth In Services’ projects and so was
well versed in what it took to lead one of these. However Joyce from Chicago Cares sent me an
opportunity to shadow a project this afternoon, at the same place where I had
done my first one. Later I received an
email from one of her associates, Kevin, who mentioned that my leader for this
project would be Wilson, and said that he had extensive experience leading
Senior Projects and could be a great resource for me. I replied saying that I had heard about
Wilson from other volunteers and looked forward to working with him. I had copied Wilson on the message and he
responded to me saying that he denied everything being said about him!
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| The dining area |
Wilson picked me up from my
office and said that unlike last time, when we served hot dogs, today would be
something a bit more complicated – tacos!
He also said that he would take a backseat today and let me lead. He wasn’t kidding on this, as he dropped me
off at the site and went off to get some supplies for his other project. I went inside and met Bruce, who is the site
representative for this facility. I told him that I was going to be in charge
till Wilson got there. He showed me to
the dining area where all of the supplies had been gathered and the food was in
the refrigerator. However, what were
missing were the volunteers. I started
taking inventory based on the list that Wilson had given me, and started
organizing in groups as per the menu. Wilson arrived and even though it was 15
minutes past the scheduled start of the project, there were still no volunteers. But that was not our only concern. We were missing the Bingo prizes. We went and looked everywhere and even called
Kevin at Chicago Cares. He told me that the prizes had been dropped off, but we
couldn't find them. Wilson said that he
would go and get some from a nearby store and I should get started on the
cooking, especially the meat for the taco’s. I saw that based on the size of the pot that we had, I would
have to cook it in 3 batches. I put the
pot over 2 burners, and added a third of the meat into it. I seasoned with
salt and pepper, and after browning for a bit, added a pack of taco
seasoning. Halfway through that batch,
the youth finally arrived.
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| Taco supplies! |
I took a pause from the cooking
and asked them to sign in and for any newcomer, asked them to fill out a waiver form. As an ice breaker game, I asked everyone to introduce themselves and state what was their favorite thing to do in Fall. I said that for me it was the leaves. Many went for “eating”, whereas one even said “Black Friday!” I then divided the group into three, sending
one team for taco prep, the second one to make ‘Mexican Rice’ and the third for fruit salad. Since I had just one set of instructions, I
tore the pages into three parts and handed to each team. The rice team needed to occupy a burner as
well, meaning we would have to adjust with the meat station. The taco team was comprised of two
sub-groups, one warming the tortillas and chopping vegetables, and a girl who had joined me for cooking the meat. She was
a very thoughtful person with a mature head on her shoulders for someone so
young. She looked like a chef in the
making and took over the cooking completely.
She tasted constantly and kept saying that we needed more flavor. Unfortunately, all we had were a few packs of
taco seasoning and while they did not go a long way, it was still better than just salt and pepper. We were on our way and that’s when it
happened.
The first batch of meat had been
cooked and we needed to take the pot off the stove to empty it, so as to start
the second batch. However, we did not
have any oven mitts and so I bundled up a few paper towels and lifted up the
pot. But in those brief seconds, the
paper towels caught fire, and by the time I had turned around to put this on
the table behind, my knuckles were on fire as well. I stamped out the paper fire by foot, but the
damage to my fingers had been done.
Wilson had returned with the Bingo prizes and said that his perfect
record of no accidents had been tarnished because of me. Despite my mishap, the cooking had to go on
and the aspiring chef started with the next batch as Wilson found her some
mitts. The fruit salad team was done and
the salad had been placed inside the refrigerator to chill. So I asked that group to start placing bowls
of 'Salsa' and 'Sour Cream' for each table.
The meat was still cooking, but the residents had already gathered in
the room. We decided to flip the usual
schedule by playing Bingo before the meal, and some of the youth moved to
calling the numbers and socializing with the seniors as they played.
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| My savior |
By this time my fingers were
turning sore and I was in reasonable amount of pain. Wilson got me some aloe cream from his car
and I slathered it on. It also meant
that I could not participate any further in the cooking. But that was fine since the girl on the meat
station was already underway with the third batch and had it
covered. Since the seasoning was not to
her liking, Wilson added some leftover 'Mexican Rice' mix and other vegetables
into it and she was happy with the outcome.
We announced that the meal was ready, which meant that the taco assembly
line was now operational. I told the
group to not put cheese on the taco’s but serve it separately in bowls, since
some may not want to have any dairy. I
looked around the room and saw some of the folks I had met during my previous
visit, including Jerry, the sketch artist.
It had been just a few months, but he looked like he had aged in years
since I had seen him last. I mentioned
that to Wilson and he said that it usually happens and age catches up with
seniors faster than others, especially ones in a home like this one. But Jerry was still as sharp as ever and
sketching a man who was sitting across him.
His girlfriend was sitting next to him and said that even with a notepad
on him; Jerry still prefers to sketch on a tissue paper. Whatever the medium, he was doing a fantastic
job.
The service was over soon and
seniors started to head back to their residences. Our biggest problem as we started the clean-up
was lack of garbage bags. While we
looked for that, I told the youth that they had to clean the dishes. Many were not enthusiastic about it but I
told them that it wasn’t an option and they just had to do it. The girl who had helped cook the meat was
now at the sink cleaning, displaying a truly committed effort. However, during the washing session, the sink
had gotten clogged and now it was impossible to use this one. If the youth thought that it let them off the
hook, they were wrong since we moved them to another sink. Wilson found some garbage bags and I got some
boys to help fill them up. Some of the
residents were still around and Wilson asked them all to take the leftovers
with them. They were more than willing
and so we packed it in Aluminum foil.
Things were moving along.
While there was lot of work yet
to be done, it was also time for the group to leave. Their youth chaperon Shanna asked for a
reflection session, which is one of the highlights of this program. Wilson stood back as I assembled everyone in
a circle and asked the newcomers what they had liked about tonight. Some said that it was the seniors and the
interactions that they had with them. One guy
said that he liked the tattoos on a resident! I guess it showed him that seniors are not some strange species. I asked for suggested improvements and almost
everyone had something to say. Some said that we should try a different game, other than Bingo; more time to cook; more
decorations etc. It was encouraging to
hear that they were involved and wanted to make this program a better
experience for the seniors. They wanted
to do well. I told them that they had
been fantastic and that they should not underestimate their contributions
today.
Everyone left as Wilson and I
cleaned the remaining dishes. Jerry’s girlfriend
was still around and she stayed back to chat with us. She said that the food was spicy and had
really liked the fruit salad. Wilson
asked if there was anything in particular that we should make next time, and
she said that maybe a different cuisine.
She then asked if I had a wife! Whoa,
from different cuisines to this? Wilson
said that I did not have a wife, but I had many girlfriends – definitely news
to me! He then said no, I was single. She asked what kind of girl I was looking for and once
again Wilson responded, saying she should be kind and have empathy. Well, those are certainly desirable
qualities, but isn't the right girl one with whom you have a connection? Why does it need to be complicated?
Wilson and I then went for
dinner, but not before stopping over at ‘CVS’
for some more aloe cream. Wilson had
kept his tube on the table next to the exit and it had disappeared, our
suspicion being that one of the seniors had picked it up on their way out. This led to us discussing what may have
happened to the Bingo prizes. Kevin from
Chicago Cares was adamant that he had dropped them off. We wondered if someone had seen a bunch of
stuff lying around and taken it home. In
any case, Wilson said that he would file a report like missing Bingo prizes, no
garbage bags, no oven mitts etc. And
perhaps also an accident report with my burnt fingers. But despite all of this, it had been a
productive session, and a difference making one at that.
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