Our Trip to NORCOR and More!

In January, for our Health and Human Services day, we started out with a trip to NORCOR - Northern Oregon Correctional Facility in The Dalles! WOW! What an experience! We got to be treated like "inmates"... no fancy hair styles, no hats/caps, hands at sides, "Excuse me, sir/ma'am", etc. It was pretty intense! We all learned a lot -- "it ain't no picnic"... but of course, it's not supposed to be... it's jail!!!

Back home, in Hood River, we went to La Clinica del Carino Family Health Center to learn about a non-profit community health facility. We had presentations from various staff members discussing their roles at the clinic. They offer a number of programs to educate clients with a focus on prevention. Nutrition, exercise, self examination, etc. all contribute to better overall health, lower health care costs and early diagnoses. It's a great resource for everyone in our community especially lower income and/or uninsured members of our community.

Our last stop of the day was Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. They fed us a wonderful lunch and talked about the variety of jobs in health care. We went on an amazing tour through the lab, surgery, and radiology. Everybody's favorite part was putting on the surgical caps/gowns/booties to do a quick walk through the O.R. (There was some disappointment that we didn't get to see any blood... but, I guess that's to be expected??!?)

Entrepreneurial Spirit is alive and well in Hood River!

December is one of MY favorite class days. We go into downtown Hood River and meet with small business owners! Everything from Summit Projects (webdesign) to Made in the Gorge Artists' Cooperative (ceramic, watercolor and metal artisits), G. Williker's Toy Shoppe (yes, it's a toy shop) to Andrew's Pizza (lunch!) and Lucy's Informal Flowers (my personal favorite)! The owners of these fine establishments talked about where they came from, why they went into business for themselves and how important it is to be actively involved in the community. The kids LOVED it. The last stop of the day was at Sage's Cafe and Coffeehouse where we signed holiday cards and sipped delicious hot chocolate!
A great time was had by all... and they learned something about how much work it is to be in business for yourself... but, the work is always outweighed by the rewards!

I've got to do better!

I'm not sure how many people are actually looking at this but, if you're wondering where I've been... I've been here but, apparently too busy to keep up with the blog! So let's recap!
In November the Leaders for Tomorrow class invited a number of local non-profit organizations to talk about the work they do in the community and provide some ways for the students to get involved. United Way of Hood River County, American Red Cross, The Next Door, Inc. Helping Hands against Violence, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Hood River Elks, Hood River Lions, Gorge Ecology Institute, Housing for People, FISH Food Bank each sent representatives to share their respective roles in the community. They provided valuable insight to the students and presented opportunities for them to get involved. Many of the kids actually signed up to help out with various programs. All the kids were impressed at the number of organizations run strictly by volunteers!