Connection Center (Blog Assignment #5)

One of the communities that I am a part of is a small church community. The Connection Center is a quaint, Seventh-day Adventist Church located on the main street of Zimmerman, Minnesota. Some of leaders of this growing community are:

Reuben Roundtree – District Pastoral Supervisor

Gene Yocum, Jr. – Pastor

Janet Grentz – Home and School Leader

Orville Mickelson – Treasurer

Susie Lakoduk – Head Deaconess

I was able to catch up with Gene Yocum, Jr. to ask him a few questions about the thoughts and aspirations of the community members. Gene Yocum has been a part of the idea behind The Connection Center since it was a mere idea amongst members of the Anoka Adventist Church. In 2003, a handful of members from the Anoka Church thought of branching out and extending a helping hand in a different community—a community they resided in; a community in need of some extra support.

“The transition has been difficult,” Gene Yocum remarked. He stated there was a difference in vision between this core group of leaders and the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. But after working with the Central States Conference beginning in 2007, things have been going a little more smoothly. They are now capable of support from administrative leaders like Pastor Roundtree, and there is opportunity for more training.

“We are here to help the needs of the community,” Gene continued to say. “We are trying to help people who are unemployed, losing their homes, or those struggling with debt. We are here to provide hope, help and support by providing training to help people overcome their issues.”

The Connection Center has recently purchased a plot of land next to their current location. “We have received generous donations from people to make this happen,” Gene shared. They are planning to construct a sanctuary on part of the land. It would allow the current building to be used mainly for classrooms. They hope that this will allow them to incorporate more members of the community in and around Zimmerman.

The church has been able to provide various forms of outreach such as giving food once a month to people in need of extra food, transporting people who are in need of getting around, and visiting people who have are homebound. Bible studies are coordinated for people who are interested in religion to give hope and encouragement. The Connection Center has also been about to coordinate with local businesses to collect donations and clothing items to help people supplement their budget.

“We hope to expand some of our children’s programs, since there seems to be plenty of youth activities happening in the community.” The hope to continue providing clubs such as Adventures and Pathfinders that will offer children a safe place to spend time together. These clubs are similar to scouts clubs. However, Adventurers and Pathfinders provide the opportunity for people to develop both mentally and spiritually. Also, it provides kids the opportunity to adventure out of the community, and meet other kids from around the country and, potentially, the world.

HealthReform (Blog Assignment #4)

Trying to stay current with health care issues and the government’s desire for reform causes my head to spin around. Perhaps for some people more closely involved or influenced by the debates, it seems simple and necessary. From what I am feebly able to gather, this reform has more to do with medical insurers and coverage for the poor, lower-class citizens without insurance. Is this incorrect? I hear about the fluctuating costs of reform as well as the continuance of our deficit-spending budget.

I know that medical and dental services are costly. It causes a turning in my stomach just thinking about it. Fortunately, my family has been able to weather the storms. My mother worked at HealthEast for about 8 years. Her primary goal was to acquire benefits for the family. Currently, we have switched providers. I know little about the new coverage. The one thing that I do understand is that coverage is important. Not only for routine check-ups, but coverage is important for the unforeseen mishaps.

I hope health care coverage for all people. Of course, I am not sure how best to provide that. However, I do know that it is important to have help when you need it the most. I have been taken to an emergency room in 5 different states (at least one time). I am an insurance company’s worst nightmare. Whether I have had stitches in my hand, a surgery to remove a cyst the size of my head from out of my chest, or reattaching a piece of my ear after I accidentally ripped my earring out while playing hockey, without insurance it would have been impossible. Keep in my mind that those clumsy accolades are only a few of mine. It has no mention of the routine visits, and unscheduled appointments of my 3 siblings.

I sympathize with those people who struggle to pay their bills. It can be overwhelming, and it piles up quickly. In the United States it costs a large amount of money for health care services. Even for those with medical insurance, the yearly premium costs and co-pays can be unbearable. My mother’s parents are retired. Even in spite of there limited income, they have to pay a $250 deductible every January. This price does not include the cost of diabetes testing strips, or $100 prescription price. My father’s parents are also retired and struggling with similarly high prices of treatment. Being set on a fixed, low income how are they supposed to keep up their health?

The prevention of illness should be a person’s priority. The best health care is for people to care for themselves. Exercise and fresh foods go a long way to help a person deal with a lot of physical ailments. They are cheaper and can be more effective. Never underestimate the power of daily self-care.

Other People's Money (Blog Assignment #3)

Walking down the steep eastern slope of Andreevsky Spusk, a person is surrounded by the arts and crafts of many street venders. Old buildings and trees line the winding road. The bottom of the decent pours out into one of the oldest districts in Kiev. The Podol district is renowned for the unique ambiance that it holds. It is nestled tightly near the right bank of the Dnipro River and several touristic points of interest. People consider this place to have lived many lives. Over several centuries it has endured floods, fires and enemy invasions. There had been plans to tear it all down, but they have gone unfulfilled. It has never vanished.

After walking through Kontraktovaya Square in Podol there is Puzata Khata (Пузата Xата). The name Пузата Xата is translated as “house with a big belly.” It is a favorite restaurant of Ukrainian people. It is an inexpensive Ukrainian-kitchen restaurant. It specializes in home cooked food, made by grandmothers and mothers. The restaurant is laid out to look more like a cafeteria. The interior is designed to make you feel like you are still in the Square. Pillars inside the building are covered in advertisements to concerts, and theatrical shows. There is a fountain in the middle of the main level that people cast their spare change to make a wish.

The restaurant is typically filled with students and low-level business people. “What? You go school for free?” Michael, an American student, questions.

“Why not?” Valeria (a local University student) rebuttals, “We study really well and then we take our knowledge to help improve our country.”

“I just wish that they would do that for me,” Michael commented.

“We all do, Michael! I had to pay about $25,000 a year when I was attending Union College,” I interrupted.

“Plus, our stipend is becoming less and less!” Valeria inserted her voice again.

“You go to school for free, and they pay you a stipend every month?” Michael sat back in his seat in shock.

The area is filled with a mixture of university students and business people who come in the middle of their busy schedules. Many students talk about the stipend that they are receiving. It was recently raised to encourage students to vote. Although, the price is fixed despite Timoshenko caused the Ukrainian Grivna to become about 1/9 the cost of a dollar. What good is 500 Grivnas anymore? Many secretaries and office clerks have a similar concern as the students: the low wages they are receiving due to their economic crisis. However, added pressure comes to the business crowd because they are all at a risk of losing their jobs. People feel nervous, but are hopeful. They are pessimistic of the politician’s abilities to change. They are hopeful, however, that something good is on the horizon.