By Erin O’Sullivan
For the fourth consecutive year, the NIRSA Foundation has continued enacting NIRSA’s Strategic Value of Service by allowing members an opportunity to take time before Annual Conference begins to partner with a local non-profit, connect with the community our NIRSA family is gathering in, and do some hands-on good.
“Community service and NIRSA are a perfect match,” says Brendan Beilman of Temple University. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of an organization so heavily involved in giving back.”
NIRSA 2014 was no exception! The Foundation partnered with Open Table Nashville, a non-profit, interfaith organization that works to disrupt the cycle of poverty and provides education about issues on homelessness. Their inspiring work, which began after the devastation of the city’s May 2010 flooding, was even featured on a February segment of 60 Minutes.
NIRSA partnered with Open Table Nashville to give back to our 2014 host city.From 60 Minutes-famed reporter Anderson Cooper to NIRSA professionals and students, involvement with Open Table Nashville has been cited as a transformational and motivating experience. Jacquelyne Chantry, Fitness Coordinator at American University and first time NIRSA attendee, speaks for many of her fellow volunteers when she says, “Giving back before ‘getting’ at NIRSA was such a rewarding experience…[and laying] the groundwork for new friendships and relationships will be one of my favorite conference experiences.”
Unique this year was the wide variety of projects NIRSA members were able to assist with. The over 120 participants were broken into 14 small groups and each group assisted Open Table Nashville with a different aspect of its work and mission, simultaneously creating a more intimate and shared experience for the participants and an extended reach and effect for the project as a whole.
The projects ran the gamut of ways to be involved and make a difference in a community. From moving formerly homeless individuals into their new residences to delivering food to planting gardens to educating themselves on social justice—the Foundation Community Service Project proved there was no one way to serve. Below is just a sample of the participants’ experiences.
The Nashville Rescue Mission
One group toured the Nashville Rescue Mission, which houses homeless men in the community and helps them get back on their feet, and cleaned several of the dorms. “During our tour, we met several men who had gone through the career counseling program and now work for mission,” recalls Emily Abrams, Outdoor Recreation GA at the University of Texas at Austin. “It was amazing to hear their stories of perseverance and lifestyle change. They were so thankful!”
And it wasn’t only the individuals who had turned their lives around that inspired NIRSA members. “Housing up to 500 individuals a night with no public monies is something we can all learn from,” remarked another attendee. “It’s amazing to see how a community can come together.”
Social justice education
Another group partook in “mental community service…doing and learning,” as one member explained. This group toured downtown Nashville and learned about many critical aspects of homelessness and social justice from both a current and historical perspective.
“We learned so much about the Civil Rights Movement, people in poverty, and the history that brought us here today… it was an eye-opening experience,” says Chad Zimmerman of the University of Texas at Austin.
The reflective conversation and dialogue about striving for social justice imparted upon members a “feeling of responsibility to continue helping.” One member noted she planned “to bring this awareness back to my school to educate and consider additional ways that we can help and continue to pay it forward.”
NIRSA members got out and got active with the NIRSA 2014 Community Service Project.Hands on Nashville
This group got outside and got active, planting gardens and learning what accessible, fresh food can do for a community. One student sums the experience up saying, “It was great to be outside planting, knowing we were helping feed the Nashville community wholesome, nutritious food.”
Fallon Hartig, of Northern Illinois University, was a part of this effort and felt it really connected with many students in particular, saying, “I think the idea of helping people eat healthy [who otherwise] can’t afford it is amazing. Even as a college student, I struggle with affording healthy options. It’s great to see people who devote their lives to this.”
Foot clinic
Yes, you read that right! Another incredible gesture of service one group completed was washing the feet and clipping the toenails of the homeless. Participants were moved by how something that seemed so small could make such a difference to someone.
“It was just shocking,” one participant recalls, “to see how big of a difference clean feet and fresh shocks can make. I know our help truly made an impact. They appreciated our service and help—but they helped us appreciate what we have and our ability to help even more.”
Of course, they had fun too! Another participant says, “It was awesome to solicit folks in creative ways, such as “Want a free pedicure?” and then spend time having a conversation with and learning about each individual. As many feet as I washed, I think I gave even more hugs!”
Moving residents into their new homes
Many participants were especially excited to help move Nashville residents from the streets to their new homes. Like Anderson Cooper when he partook in this project during his 60 Minutes segment, participants felt awed by the amazing stories of perseverance and spirit they heard. “The experience,” one participant says, “really showed us how complicated some people’s lives have been, and still are, and yet how they are still going.”
“You could see their faces light up when we pulled up with trailer filled with beds and furniture,” another participant says. The most impactful moment for her? When the first resident they saw looked at her and said, “There are still great people in this world.”
Thanks to the NIRSA Foundation and all of the members who participated in the 2014 Community Service Project. Keep being the great people in this world!
