OCT 11-15

OCT 11 Monday
So data entry isn't really exciting stuff.  I'll admit it, but it's crunch time so we're all busy doing this lackluster type of thing.
Specifically, I spent the better part of the 11th and 12th writing this half year's report for Project: EXCEL.
Basically, I took the format from the last report.  Then, I took new data, analyzed it, and then input it into the new report.  I did this for most of two days.
I even had the responsibility to take part of another file and incorporate that report's format in the EXCEL report.


OCT 12  It was a Tuesday...
Like I said above, Tuesday was pretty much the same as Monday, except I had a better understanding of what exactly I was doing.


Oct 13 Wed
YES, IT WAS AWESOME.  In reality, it was not, but you have to try and liven it up some how.  What I am referring to is me having to sit in NEW EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION.  Now why a returner (granted I only served over the summer, but I sat through the same training in JUNE) has to sit with most of the new members is beside me, because I was the only returner, but that is life.
It's a long day.  Granted, it's only 3.5 hrs, but try telling those who sit through it that it's helpful.
BTW, AmeriCorps took up a majority of the seats at the training.  That was kind of exciting.
If and when you go to trainings such as these, dress comfortably/appropriately, as in layers, but also DO NOT ASSUME HUMAN RELATIONS WILL PROVIDE FOOD OR COFFEE in the AM.
VCE/CFE trainings typically do, but DON'T ASSUME there will be such things, so plan ahead and bring stuff to munch on or drink.

I also had the fun experience of going to the River Rouge Board of Education meeting that night.  Now, this isn't really work-related (well let's say it's not related to this position, but it is related to my summer position in Prevention, part of School-Based.).
GO TO EVENTS LIKE THIS.  Now, I'm not saying they're a free movie or anything, but the BOE meeting was pretty much a soap opera.
QUICK TIP:  If you are involved in a community, say at Walter White Community Resource Center or serve at an Ecourse Latchkey program, go to their community events.  School board meetings or city council meetings could be very informative and possible networking events.
So, four of us were present from TGC and tension is in the air.  Suffice it to say, a new member was brought onto the BOE, the BOE announced the closing of Sabbath Middle School, and the overall horrible position River Rouge schools are in, both financially and academically.  If the scores do not raise in RR, the State of Michigan Department of Education will come in and take over the district.
Let that sink in and realize how sad that is to think about, along with the impact on the community.


OCT 14  THURSDAY
Throughout Wednesday afternoon and all of Thursday, I touched up reports and reviewed them.  Specifically, the reports I reviewed were the Project EXCEL, Prevention, Parenting Program, & YAP reports.  I even helped to review Project SUCCESS.
In case you were curious, those are all of programs School-Based has within it's realm.  Basically, I did grammatical editing, spell checking, fact checking, figure checking, and even more data entry.  After a while, you find you do not want to even look at the numbers anymore, but one thing it has shown me is that all of the School-Based programs require more participation to make their statistics stand out more than what they currently do.
Matt and I left Thursday knowing Jess and Heidi would have the reports finished for the due date and time on Friday.

FRIDAY THE 15TH OF OCTOBER
Habitat for Humanity in Monroe
We set aside time from 8-4 for this event, but we were there till about 130pm or 2pm.
Yes this was an early morning kids, so needless to say most of the group was behind schedule.
The site we worked on was a rehabilitation of a foreclosed house.  We even got to meet Michelle, the new homeowner.
We did some priming, wallpaper removal, taping to prime, yard work, and even some demolition work in the kitchen.
If you're not familiar with HFH, you should have been there.  The general contractor met us there and explained the basic format of how one does a reformat and how what we were doing today would benefit the homeowner.
At this point, 80% of the houses the HFH-Monroe chapter are currently working on are actually rehabs.