Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Julio Ramos
Description: What did you find was the most interesting part of the day of Service?
In 300 words please explain why. In your answer you must use one in-text citation from your
outreach activity at the Miami Rescue Mission, where we actively participated in preparing and
distribution of food to the homeless and the needy. This activity first required that we shop for
food items within budget, pack the food items and then coordinate the distribution with the
At the Miami Rescue Mission Center, we were greeted by Mr. Anthony Durden who
gave a brief tour of the facilities and a briefing on their community outreach services. Mr.
Durden prides himself in providing the humanitarian services to the community, as he was one of
the individuals that received assistance that eventually completed the programs that turned his
life around (A. Durden, personal communication, February 18, 2018). Mr. Durden pointed out
that the Miami Rescue Center has been operational since 1922 by proving meals, shelter, and
life-changing programs to the homeless, less fortunate and the needy (A Durden, February 18,
2018). Their success is mainly attributed to the Mission that is open twenty-four hour a day and
every day of the year to aid and assist individuals (A Durden, February 18, 2018).
walked many blocks distributing food to the many individuals that were lying in the streets and
also camping out under the overpass bridges. The displaced individuals were receptive to our
efforts and were courteous on their end by extending a word of gratitude. We eventually learned
that there were many families in the area that had accommodations but were also suffering
Community Outreach Activity – Miami Rescue Mission 3
difficulties regarding hunger and other social problems. To assist them Mr. Durden introduced
them to us by greeting them and telling them we were from the Cayman Islands. This then
opened up the way for a brief conversation and also to provide them with some food. Upon our
return to the Rescue Mission, we were greeted by the visitors and also the faculty and staff who
The Miami Rescue Mission experience opened up my eyes to the realities of the United
States of America, in that despite it being the most powerful nation in the west, it too had its
share of poverty. It was later understood that most individuals were displaced due to lack of
resources that could be made available by the US Government. I found it somewhat ironic that
while the US has been recovering from the economic downturn and it was evident that Miami
has now moved to a more business-oriented city, with all its prosperity, there was still some
imbalance on social works. This resonates with the theory that poverty is an offspring of
overpopulation that is created due to increased demand for resources (Easton, 2016). While there
has been increased wealth in nations, that does not mean that the wealth is shared equally and for
this means there will continue to be an imbalance concerning benefits for the indigent.
The Miami Rescue Mission plays a significant role in providing hope for unfortunate
individuals, but their effort can only take them by the generous donations and humanitarian
efforts from individuals that volunteer their services. My experience with this community
outreach activity was humbling and motivating as it opened up my eyes as to how people
Reference
Easton, T. (2016). Taking sides: clashing views in science, technology, and society. Columbus,