ARLINGTON LIFE SHELTER
The Arlington Life Shelter is not just a place to stay and get a meal. It is a place to begin removing the roadblocks and rebuilding the confidence and skills required to return to self-sufficiency. The Board of Directors, volunteers and staff have high expectations for the homeless men, women and children served by the agency, giving them constant support to meet those expectations.
Developing an effective, therapeutic relationship with each individual or family member is the most essential component of the services provided at the Arlington Life Shelter. Staff members partner with each resident to develop a measurable service plan focusing on their strengths, their abilities to grow and their capacities to take control of their lives. A coordinated, team approach is used to identify and address all of the needs of residents in a flexible, holistic manner.
Developing an effective, therapeutic relationship with each individual or family member is the most essential component of the services provided at the Arlington Life Shelter. Staff members partner with each resident to develop a measurable service plan focusing on their strengths, their abilities to grow and their capacities to take control of their lives. A coordinated, team approach is used to identify and address all of the needs of residents in a flexible, holistic manner.
During my time at Arlington Life Shelter I was able to meet a few young kids who were less fortunate but it did not keep their spirits down. I was able to join them for a Halloween night where I handed out candy and was able to judge a costume contest. I had so much fun with the kids. I loved their attitude; they were so appreciative and very respectful when it came to their manners. They were even able to "bob" for apples; I have not seen that since I was a kid.
The program also has an after school program that I was to help out with a couple of times. I was able to work with a couple 10 year old kids who working on math problems. I told the kids that I was a math teacher so they thought I knew everything. It was very gratifying to be able to help the kids with their school work. The program was an hour and a half which consisted of homework time, play time, a mini lesson, and best of all snack time! They have a gym at the facility but it was a nice fall day so we were able to go outside and play basketball. It was fun just interacting with the kids. The snacks that the kids get were fruit snack or crackers and a juice box; the snacks are donated from local businesses.
The program also has an after school program that I was to help out with a couple of times. I was able to work with a couple 10 year old kids who working on math problems. I told the kids that I was a math teacher so they thought I knew everything. It was very gratifying to be able to help the kids with their school work. The program was an hour and a half which consisted of homework time, play time, a mini lesson, and best of all snack time! They have a gym at the facility but it was a nice fall day so we were able to go outside and play basketball. It was fun just interacting with the kids. The snacks that the kids get were fruit snack or crackers and a juice box; the snacks are donated from local businesses.
A few Saturdays during the year they have a picnic in the park. I was luckily able to join them on a Saturday in October. The kids from the shelter were bused over to the park in 15 passenger vans. I was very surprised how many kids were there but what really got me was how many volunteers were there for the kids. I was able to help serve food to the kids and play games with them. It was nice to meet some of the staff that works full time at the shelter as well. You can tell just talking to them that they love their job and all of the kids that come through the program. I was able to talk with a couple of the staff members and realized that they had an adult career program where they bring in volunteers to teach classes to help the adults work on job readiness skills. This is a program that I would really like to get involved with. Unfortunately they run a lot of the programs during the day so I would have to take time off work to participate. I think I will take a day off if they can find a place for me and I would be a help.
Over all I have really enjoyed my time at the Arlington Life Shelter and I look forward to continue volunteering at the shelter even after my DBU classes are complete. This experience has really touched my heart and I thank God that there are so many Christian loving people out there that will be there for these kids. They all have lived rough lives and they need people to show them that they mean something. Arlington Life Shelter does a wonderful job at doing this.
Over all I have really enjoyed my time at the Arlington Life Shelter and I look forward to continue volunteering at the shelter even after my DBU classes are complete. This experience has really touched my heart and I thank God that there are so many Christian loving people out there that will be there for these kids. They all have lived rough lives and they need people to show them that they mean something. Arlington Life Shelter does a wonderful job at doing this.