Jesuit Week of Service Day Four, Theme: Attending to Those on the Margins

Our Theme for Day Four:

Attending to Those on the Margins

We are one human family and no one is excluded. In all of our partnerships we are invited to discover the beauty, dignity, and humanity in each and every person we encounter. Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. said, “When we stand at the margins, the margins are erased.” As we walk in solidarity with those on the margins, we are changed for the better.

We spend time with those in the prison system and in the juvenile correction center.

John Carroll students work with youth of the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility , one of three juvenile correctional facilities in Ohio. Service participants build relationships with residents by facilitating Power Source curriculum to develop socio-emotional skills. Power Source guides adolescents and young adults in discovering their own resilience, while building the skills associated with healthy social and emotional development.

JCU students participate in women's spirituality group at the Northeast Reintegration Center. Students deepen their faith in this prayerful activity, and work with the women from Northeast Reintegration Center who take part in Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s Chopping for Change program . JCU students volunteer with the Chopping for Change program which provides culinary training skills and work experience for women in the criminal justice system. Through the program, they are prepared to re-join the labor force upon release. Programs like these develop the gifts and talents of the participants and prevent recidivism.

Our partners are making a positive impact on so many, we have the honor to walk alongside and accompany them in this journey.

Daily Service Challenge

Chose ONE or more activities below:

1- Purchase a gift certificate or takeout meal from a locally-owned business

Order a takeout meal, purchase a gift certificate, or write an online review. Many small, locally owned businesses are cornerstones of the community. Our featured partner below, Edwins Restaurant, Butcher Shop, and Bakery, is open for takeout or delivery. Order HERE. Support their belief that every human being, regardless of their past, has a right to a fair and equal future.

There are many other wonderful local businesses that you can support right now. Find one in your neighborhood! If you are looking for suggestions in the greater Cleveland area, check out this list of locally owned restaurants that are still open for takeout or delivery,

HERE.

2- Participate in the Prison Postcard Project

Background:

Grafton Correctional Institution is located in Lorain County, Ohio
There are 1,600 men at Grafton which is a minimum and medium security facility
The men there have made more than 2,800 face masks to date for those in nursing homes, homeless shelters, and food programs, they, too wanted to be of service to others during this crisis.

Project Directions:

1- Create a 5 x 7 postcard for one of the men at Grafton with messages letting them know they are not forgotten during this time of isolation and uncertainty.

2 - Side one: Decorate with images, inspirational quotes, photos.

3 - Side two: Write a "Thinking of You" message. You can include your first name but omit other details.

4 - Mail completed postcards in an envelope and send to:

Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, SND
Diocese of Cleveland
1404 E. 9th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114

5 - Postcards can be received by prisoners and will be delivered to Grafton.

Don't forget to email service@jcu.edu or tag @jcu_cssa on Instagram with your completed postcard!

3. Record yourself reading an original or other favorite poem.

Social distancing is keeping many people safe right now, even as it limits our ability to visit with friends and loved ones in person. We value our relationships with all of our community partners, many of whom cannot receive any visitors at this time.

We will upload all videos to the CSSA YouTube Channel to share with our community partners, including individuals who are incarcerated, senior citizens, people with different abilities, and more.

Email your video to service@jcu.edu .

Dr. Philip Metres reads his poem "Zaitoon"

Watch Guggenheim Fellow and JCU Faculty Member Dr. Philip Metres read a poem from his new book, "Shrapnel Maps," which is being released tomorrow!

How to participate and share your actions:

• Take photographs or videos of each of the daily challenges you choose to participate in.

• You have three options for sharing your challenge with us:

On Instagram, make a post, tag @jcu_cssa and use the hashtags: #JWOS2020, #jcucssa, #servecle, and #servicechallenge. Your profile must be public for us to view your photos
Direct Message @jcu_cssa on Instagram with your photos
Email service@jcu.edu with your images and videos

• Look for your photos and videos in the "JWOS Showcase of Service" video on Saturday!

• See what others are doing LIVE by scrolling to the bottom of our homepage at https://www.cssaengagecle.org/ and by following our hashtags on Instagram !

*Please note that CSSA may choose to share your photographs or videos and use your content for marketing purposes unless you specify you would not like your photographs or videos to be used*

Community Partner Spotlight:

Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute

Presented by Calvin Chmura '20 and Benjamin DeSabato '21

Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute is a re-entry program that gives formerly incarcerated adults an education in the culinary and hospitality industry while providing a support network for long term success. Graduating about 100 students per year, Edwins provides students with culinary skills as well as assistance in finding employment upon graduation, free housing, legal services, literacy programs, and more.

Located in Shaker Square, Edwins initially started as a program in Grafton Correctional Institution, but has gradually grown into an award winning French restaurant, butcher shop, bakery, and Life Skills Center. Edwins has a 95% employment rate after graduation. Edwins focus is to solve the problem of re-entry through food.

I had the pleasure of visiting Edwins during Jesuit Day of Service last year and had an incredible experience serving and learning more about the organization! We were able to help them take care of their facilities like their animal pen at the Life Skills Center and help them prepare the area that is now their bakery! We also helped organize the clothing and items they receive through donations. Because they offer basic free housing, medical care and clothing, Edwins accepts donations! You can support them HERE!

Edwins continues to do so much for people looking for a second chance, all while making delicious food at their restaurant, butcher shop, and bakery. Because Edwins is food based, they are still open for takeout and their bakery and butcher shop are available for delivery through Door Dash and Uber Eats! If you plan on ordering food while staying in, consider Edwins!

Watch "Knife Skills" documentary

"Knife Skills" is a 2018 Academy Award nominated short documentary about the launch of Edwins Restaurant in Cleveland.

Knife Skills | 2018 Oscar Nominee | The Screening Room | The New Yorker

Student Voices: Jillian Schaefer '20 on Edwins Restaurant and Leadership Institute

Jillian, who has interned at Edwins during her time at JCU, tells us about Edwins Restaurant and Leadership Institute, a regular partner for Jesuit Week of Service. She also speaks about her path at JCU working with a variety of correctional facilities and re-entry programs.

Edwins Restaurant and Leadership Institute Partner Spotlight

Sustainability Suggestion: Community Plastic Reduction

Since the 1950s and through today, only 9% of plastic waste produced ends up being recycled. In addition to changing habits at home, you can also change simple habits while being out in your community. Even the smallest actions can make such a difference! As the scrutiny of the environmental toll of plastic increases, you can make a significant difference in your community.

Simple Switches you can make:

Next time you visit the grocery store, opt to bring a reusable bag rather than use the plastic ones provided.
Try to visit restaurants that use compostable to-go packaging or bring your own.
Request “no straw” when at a restaurant to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics.
The largest proportion of microplastics residing in our oceans comes from textiles, so try to buy clothing items used or from natural fibers.
Bring your own reusable silverware to a fast food restaurant.

Facts:

Each reusable shopping bag has the potential to eliminate the use of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.
The takeaway box that was in your hands for 10 minutes on Friday night could be in the ocean forever, as they break down into macroplastics, mesoplastics, and microplastics.
Many coffee places will give discounts for bringing your own cup or mug so save the Earth and your money!

Don't forget to check out CSSA's Instagram Story ( @jcu_cssa ) to see the Sustainability Interns' daily video!

Reflection: 8:00 pm on Instagram

Tune in tonight to our Instagram @jcu_cssa

for a reflection by Michael!

Invite your family and friends to join in JWOS, they can register HERE to take part in the rest of the week's activities (and catch up on the days they've missed)!

How it works:

Register now with your name and email HERE
From Thursday, April 22 through Saturday, April 25, you will receive daily emails containing activities and challenges
Participate in as many or as few activities and challenges as you want. Share your activities with us on social media and online
On Saturday, April 25, we will celebrate our communities and our collective service