Renata Luzny Professor Tricia Bishop HLTH 1110 Social Health and Diversity Reflection paper #1 Sexual minorities

Is volunteer work or helping people in need really that important? Without the help of volunteers, there would be some groups that might not get the help that they need and there are groups out there that are desperate for the caring concern of others, even if its just a kind word or a little extra money here or there. Without volunteers, certain organizations might not be able to help support the groups that they are trying to help it takes a lot of time and resources to make a difference. The great part about the project for my Social Health and Diversity class is the volunteer work that we did for certain oppressed minorities. I chose a group of people who represent a sexual minority, such as homosexuals or those affected with AIDS. These groups of people are oppressed in many ways according to the five faces of oppression. This part of volunteer work is something really new to me. Not that I didnt know that it existed, but I always considered myself too busy to have extra time for helping others. To my surprise, in order to volunteer at the AIDS Foundation and AIDS coalition two places that are related to our project topic we needed to attend an orientation in order to start to actually do any work. The first place I went to for orientation was a store called Our Store, which is a part of the AIDs Coalition. As I mentioned before, this was my first experience, so I wasnt sure what to expect. The whole concept of the store is quite exceptional. Using the idea of donation, low prices and profit for the needy is very clever. This store accepts donations of all kinds of usable, still in good condition merchandise.

Profit from sold donations is dedicated to help people with HIV or AIDS (clients). This is also a great opportunity for people to donate their unwanted clothing, shoes, dishes, home appliances and other necessary goods that is the donors part of help. Another positive outcome for society from this store by doing so is giving opportunity to people with low income to select from a wide range of goods for a fair price. Since there are many people who are willing to do volunteer work, the store has only few employees. A huge part of the work is done by volunteer workers; the store is profiting and uses that money to help their clients in need. As a part of helping people, the store is organizing social events for their clients in a special room dedicated to such activities. I was overwhelmed with emotion with a strong urge to help. I left the store with a great admiration for the founder of such a great idea and ability to put the concept to a realization. So far I helped in Our Store for two hours and I decided that I would definitely come back. Unfortunately, my second experience with volunteer work at Our Store wasnt very pleasant. I came to the store and clocked in, but to my surprise the clock printed 15:56 when it was really 15:30. When I tried to explain the situation with the clock to the lady at the desk, she repeated to me several times that this is military time. Even if I told her that I understand and Im talking about minutes not about hours, she was still saying the same thing as before It is military time. It sounded to me like she was saying, I already told you it is military time, you dumb lady. I tried to be positive at the time; I thought that my purpose here is higher, to help people, so it is no need to be offended. Still, I felt a little disappointed and I thought that if you come to help someone for free you should be treated a little differently. At least I hoped the clock would work the same way in two or something hours later, to show my real time spent in the store. Later, when I was told from the same

women to bring some goods to the front of the store, I asked her to repeat herself to make sure I understood her command properly; she rolled her eyes at me, again as if Im dumb. English is my second language and sometimes I dont understand very well, so Id rather ask to make sure that I understand right. It was a great paradox; I felt so oppressed for being treated dumb and working for the same people in order to help another oppressed group. My final surprise was that at 6:00pm the clock was working right. Fortunately, not everybody at the store is the same as that incriminating woman, so I went home with the right amount of hours signed. Next time, I will evaluate very carefully if my time dedicated to others under these conditions is worth it. The orientation at the Utah AIDS Foundation, the second place I volunteered at, was very interesting and informative. Our volunteer coordinator, Brianne, was likeable and, more importantly, very knowledgeable. The mission of UAF is to educate, help to prevent people from getting sick, and to help affected individuals to live more effective lives. This organization is empowering people by knowledge. HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) could be transmitted only by sharing needles or by human contact. HIV is not the same as AIDS. AIDS syndrome is diagnosed on a few bases: 1) a person must be HIV positive, 2) their T (white blood) cells have to be lower than 200 (for a healthy person, this white blood cell count is between 15002000), and 3) they must have one or more diagnoses of opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia or Kaposi sarcoma. With proper use of medications, a person affected by HIV is able to live a decent life and never get AIDS. But I didnt have a clue about the side effects of these medications and how it could be difficult to stay on the right track. It is really important for people to know that by taking medication properly, they have less probability to affect another person. Another reason why is

important to take medications properly is that today there are about four types of medication to help with HIV on the market and by improper usage of it, one can create immunity towards such medication. The UAF only has a few staff members; they rely on volunteers. This organization is organizing foundation events to support and help their clients; they organize prevention programs and direct services. The UAF depends on private donations. There are a few events organized by UAF worth mentioning. AIDs walk for life in September, development Aqua Aids (party hosted by nice house with the pool), Pride festival (free testing, about 600 people testing in a day), and Oscar are a few of these events. As a prevention program, UAF provides free testing every Monday and Thursday. They test about 3,000 people a year. Part of the prevention program is also counseling, mens yoga, gays and geeks and much more. In my opinion, there is more opportunity for gay men then for lesbian women or other sexual minorities provided; is there any reason? UAF is providing direct services as well, such as food bank, personal items, hot meal delivery, and help with case management (help with taxes, or housing, or legal issues, etc.) At the Orientation for UAF, not only did I find out how many people are interested in helping others, but I also realized how important it is to educate the community in order to prevent further affection and to help affected individuals to live decent lives. I didnt spent much time volunteering yet at UAF, but Im really excited to do so as soon as they need my help. Volunteering may not be the most fun a person could have, especially when you have to deal with disgruntled employees, but knowing that you are making a difference just makes the whole experience worthwhile. It really makes you feel good inside to know that what you are doing is helping someone in need.

During my time helping the UAF and Our Store, I realized that there are others out there who really need a lot of help. When I have the time, money, and resources why shouldnt I be the one the help out? It was a great experience and I cannot wait to continue my work with these organizations.