Experiences With C.E.

           Looking back at the first day of class, one of my biggest concerns in being successful in this course was the community engagement partner portion. This is just my second semester here at Notre Dame de Namur, as I transferred in Fall. Because I had never done anything even remotely close to this C.E., I was hesitant. I was used to a regular course, where we would just read the textbook, answer questions, and take tests. Adding to my burden was the amount of hours we needed to fulfill. At first, it seemed like it would be a near impossible task. However, looking back at it, I am glad I had this opportunity. This is because I would have never otherwise gone out of my way to become involved with such an organization.

           To say the least, the experiences that my group had at first were demoralizing. Our initial partner never got back to us. We learned that their numbers had changed, as well as their staff. We were ultimately unable to work with them. This got us off to a bad start since we had lost over two weeks, therefore we lost on hours as well. however, I was able to get in contact with an organization that I had heard of years earlier: the Day Workers Center of Mountain View. When I got in contact with Maria, the director of the organization, she was able to accommodate our group and provide us with a task. She told us how recently, there was a surplus of work, but there were not enough workers. So, out task was to recruit members to the organization. Together, our group generated flyers in both Spanish and English, and we distributed them to various locations. Such locations included college campuses, churches, small businesses, among others. As we went to the center multiple times, and as we generated and distributed the flyers, my hours quickly added up.

           While at the center, I did notice that the workers were not as talkative to one another. i noticed how the white members kept more to themselves than the Latino members. I attributed this to the fact that the vast majority of the people at the center were Spanish speakers. Because of this observation, I was able to come up with my question for my research paper. I hypothesized that language was the reason that there was a lack of community within the center. So, I generated a questionnaire to test my hypothesis and had the workers fill them out. Additionally, I also had impromptu conversations with some of the workers. This proved to be one of the most eye opening parts, and I must say memorable, of my experience with my C.E.

           As I spoke with the members, most had a common attitude: they were reluctant and fearful. Many members expressed their worry that they should not talk because they were afraid about their legal status (most were undocumented). Additionally, seeing how they were even fearful with me made me realize the lifestyle that they have to endure. For example, they live in constant fear of being separated from their families due to being deported. Having to live your life with this constant worry, having to always be on guard, was something that most of us would never have to imagine. However, for the vast majority of the members at my C.E., this is their reality. They live their lives knowing that any day might be the day that they are separated from their families and sent far away. Although this was definitely a depressing realization, it helped to remind me of things that I take for granted.

           Ultimately, I enjoyed my time working with my community partner. I learned new things as well and saw how some people have to live their lives. Looking back at it, it is something that I will constantly keep in mind. Being there makes you want to contribute and help those that are in need as much as you can.

Blog #5 Challenging State Statutes

           The case that I will analyze went before the United States Supreme Court in 1989. That case is Texas v Johnson. Johnson was convicted under a Texas statute which criminalized the desecration of the U.S. flag. However, he challenged the constitutionality, arguing that his actions were protected under the freedom of speech of the First Amendment. Once they Supreme Court reviewed the case, they ruled in favor of Johnson. They stated that the desecration of the flag was political speech, the very essence of which is protected by the First Amendment. With this ruling, the Court struck down the Texas statute. Because of this ruling, it is now unconstitutional for states to make laws that would criminalize the desecration of our flag.

Blog #6 Lawmaking Process

         I would characterize the lawmaking process as a political casino. That is, there will be winners and losers, but instead of the gamblers being regular citizens, the gamblers in this case are politicians and lawmakers. it is easy to wonder why it is extremely difficult for laws to pass, but one must remember that this was the way that the Founding Fathers intended our government to function. They wanted a system of checks and balances; this way, no one branch of government would become to powerful. This can be seen in the process, indeed circus, of how bills become laws.
   
           When Politicians create bills, they need sponsors to gain momentum. The first step for a bill to become law comes when bills are presented in house committees. In these committees, most of the bills will die. However, the chances of a bill being successful are decreased since they must pass through both houses of government. Should bills pass the committees, they go to the floor for debates. After debating, bills are often changed for compromising. Then both versions of the bills are revised, that is, the one from the Senate and one from the House, and any differences are ironed out. Then the bill goes to the floor again for a final round. If the bill is voted in, then it will go to the governor, or President, to be either signed into law, or vetoed.

Blog #7 CP And Local Units

       Throughout our time working with Maria, she did not specify certain government units that interfered with the center. What Maria did tell us were the various organizations that are involved with the organization. For example, such organizations include the Gardner Medical Clinic, Stanford Legal Clinic, East Palo Alto Legal Clinic, Santa Clara University and Notre Dame High School. Each of these organizations play very important roles in the center that contribute to their success and message. For example, the workers have weekly access to medical check ups. This is because the Gardner Medical Clinic sends a trailer with professional health care providers to check on the workers' health; all free of charge. Additionally, the Stanford Legal Clinic, assists workers when they encounter legal disputes. Although these agencies are from different sectors, they all contribute in maintaining the Workers Center healthy and operational. Therefore, these organizations are vital to the center's success.

Blog #8 Budget and Hallmarks

           When I spoke to Maria, whom is the director of the Day Workers Center at Mountain View, she explained to me the way that the center generates funds. The two main ways consist of private funds and government grants. The private funds come primarily from private families, as well as banks and Linkedin (the professional network). With respect to grants, Maria must apply each time that she needs to use them. Because the money that grants give the organization is spread out over months, they need to plan accordingly. This means that Maria needs to be very clever in how she creates the budget. A hallmark that is reflected is Hallmark #4. This is because the center relies enormously on volunteers. These volunteers offer the workers a variety of assistance; ranges from work training and even English courses. This also relates to Hallmark #7 because they put great value on education. For example, the workers that attend English classes regular get first dibs on work. Lastly, their budget reflects Hallmark #6. This is because they need to be careful in the way that they spend their funds. The organization makes great attempts to help their members as much as possible. Because of this, they need to make sure they use their resources as best they can.

Blog #9 Generating Funds

           After speaking with Maria Marroquin, the director of the Day Workers Center at Mountain View, she explained to me the way that the organization generates funds. because the organization is a nonprofit, they rely heavily on donations. Maria informed me that private donors are the ones that give a large part of the funds. Such donors include Linkedin (the Professional Network), Banks, and private families. She explained that these families were the biggest donors from this category. Additionally, Maria said that they generate money from grants. However, the issue with grants is the way that they receive the money. For example, they tell the organization the amount of money that they will receive, yet they do not give them the amount all at once. The process consists of the organization receiving a large part of he sum one month, then a few months go without any money, then other months the receive other portions. Although the money is not received in an orderly manner, they receive the money consistently. Because of this, Maria says that they need to be very careful with the way they plan the budget. Since they know that they will not receive money every month, they need to plan accordingly. Also, Maria needs to re-apply for each grant. No other organizations rely on the Day Workers Center for their funds, the center uses their funds on what they see fit.