Field Trip #2

During my “Field Trip” with my sponsor, Mrs. Hilinski, we discussed our visit to the Garden Project and the emotions that we experienced while we were there. The women there were all very friendly and if I didn’t know that they once committed a crime, which I’m sure we all did once or twice in our lives, I would have thought that they were all everyday women that I would see on a regular basis. This visit to the Garden Project enabled me to see the different personalities that were in the room and how the women expressed themselves in a number of ways. For example, some women were really open and willing to express their ideas and feelings about the program and how it is giving them an opportunity to feel like an actual human being. While, other people were quiet and expressed their feelings through a simple head nod or a modest smile. But, the most intriguing part of my experience at the Garden Program was the fact that at the Garret House, a halfway house in Camden, the people that run program and the people that live there don’t treat the women as if they are actual living breathing individuals. I found it unfortunate that the people who work at the halfway house believe that their version of “tough love” is best for the women that live in the Garret House. While, I believe that treating other human beings like dirt just to “treat them a lesson” is a blow below the belt. Terrible treatment doesn’t make people want to do better but it dehumanizes them causing them to shut down and not want to better the world or themselves for that matter. 

As my sponsor and I sat and listened to the women speak at the meeting we could tell that they were genuinely grateful for the treatment that they receive when they come to the Garden Project. And to be quite honest, my heart began to warm and in awe I sat and nearly cried listening to the different things that the women had to say to the people that run the Garden Project. I felt a sense of pride for Ms. Pricilla, the founder of the Garden Project, simply because she started something that other people wouldn’t have the courage to begin let alone keep going for five years strong. I have so much respect for Ms. Pricilla because she makes these women that I’m sure have gone through so much feel like they matter. If the truth be told that’s all everyone in this life wants today. People want to feel as if they are needed or at least thought of by someone else. Its one thing to just baby someone for doing something wrong, but it’s something completely different to show respect towards someone that committed a wrong and is doing everything in their power to right their wrongs. In the end, in order to build your character you must first help someone else build theirs. I believe that the Garden Project will enable me to help others and gain a sense of self-satisfaction, something that is much more valuable when you work for it.