Social Experiences
During this class, students will engage in social experiences (some call these experiments), but we are not doing research, and this does not require IRB approval. Students will co-design social experiences as 20% of their grade.
Students will design experiences during the first month of class. Examples might include volunteering at a local soup kitchen, working in a shelter, observing people and families who are struggling with health, income, and social status, and thinking about solutions. Other ideas could include creating a budget and living according to it based on the federal poverty level/guidelines and journaling about it later.
Reviewing local policies and identifying gaps in current local policies, presenting recommendations to local leaders or policymakers.
Post your reflections and ideas about this assignment here as a blog. This can happen before you begin the experience, during, or after. Use the Blog and Canvas to post your social experience reflection or product. This might be a journal reflection, poem, art/drawing, music/rap, dance, or anything that shows me you have completed the experience, and you know something because of it. Share what you know with us.
As my social experiment, I'm going to do some research on the budget for a family living below income. Then, later on I will journal what that experience was like for me and how it made me feel. Also, what the difference was between my normal budget and the new budget I created.
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful. I want to know what living below income means. Your position as a student, your socioeconomic position currently and in the past will impact your views about what this means. Will you be sharing your budgets with the class? Will you try to live below the federal poverty line for a week? For a family of 2 it's about $491 per week. https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
DeleteFo my social experiment, I decided to see what it would be like to budget for a family of two living in poverty. I decided to focus on the food aspect and pretend I was on Food Stamps and had a budget for the week. The Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, also known as Food Stamps) is a program that helps eligible people with limited incomes supplement their budgets so they can purchase food. The maxium amount of benefit I would get in a month for a family of two would be $536 dollars, so I divided that number by 4 and knew me and my partner would have to live on $134 dollars a week for food. We usually go to the grocery store once a week or every other week, so I knew this was going to be a challenge. We also like to go out to eat once a week or get take-out. Being on a very limited food budget, meant we couldn't go out to eat at all or even get take-out. We both like to drink coffee and I like to drink water, but my boyfriend likes sodas. We don't eat a lot of breakfast, or some days at all, but we both eat a good lunch and dinner. My boyfriend is a big and tall guy, so he likes to eat a lot. I usually buy him lots of snacks and food, since he eats more than I do, I knew this was going to be hard for him. I tried to come up with easy and cheap recipes to use, so when I cooked our meals or had food for lunch, it wasn't expensive. This is what I got with the $134 dollars.
Delete- 12 K-CUPS coffee $4.49
- 12 pack of organic eggs $3.69
- Sarah Lee Keto Bread $4.49
- 16oz package of organic beef $7.49
- 8 oz package of white american sliced cheese $3.99
- Deli ham one package $4.99
- 3lb bag of organic russet potatoes $5.99
- 16 oz land o lakes unsalted butter $6.29
- Smucker's uncrsutables $3.99
- 11oz bag of trail mix $3.59
- kettle cooked chips one bag $4.79
- 24 pack of water bottles $3.79
- 12 pack of Dr. Pepper $6.99
- Bag of organic carrots $1.39
- One large frozen pizza $8.49
- A package of chicken breast $6.00
-Package of rice $2.00
- 2 cans of green beans $1.56
- One 26 oz of frozen meatballs $5.99
- Family size bag of fresh tortilini $7.99
- Rao's marinara sauce $6.99
- One bag of parmesan cheese $2.99
- 2 packs of ramen noodles $1.58
- Bag of fresh romaine salad $2.49
- Seasoned croutons $1.39
- Bottle of caesar dressing $2.49
- Little Debbie oatmeal cookies one package $ 2.79
- Tyson grilled frozen chicken $8.79
- Jimmy Dean sausage egg and cheese sandwiches $6.59
- 3.49lb of pork chops $3.49
- 1 sweet potato for $1.00
- Birds eye frozen broccoli $2.00
-Just Bare chicken tenders $9.99
-Ore-ida tater tots $3.99
- Quaker oats instant oatmeal $3.00
In total at the store I spent $157.58 dollars. That was $23.58 over budget, which was not good. I picked items that could be used for lunch or dinner with a few breakfast items and snacks. I tried to do a mix organic foods and nonorganic foods, to show how much more most of the organic foods I bought were, compared to the nonorganic foods. I also bought foods that were healthy and some that were not healthy. I also, tried to incorporate foods I really liked and ones that would fit within budget. Being on a budget this low, was hard and really limited me on how much I could buy and made it hard to find dinner combinations that me and my boyfriend both life with few ingredients. I appreciate not normally having to be on food stamps and being able to make and buy what I want. This experience taught me how to save more in general and be thankful for what I do have. Now, I have a much better understanding of what it's like to be on Food Stamps and to be on a real tight budget. I will have this learning experience forward in life.
My social experiment is a very unique one, I work at high end restaurant in Florida. We see many lobbyist and state officials especially during session, special session and committee weeks which begin in October. I plan to see how these individuals interact, what dollar amount they spend on their dining experience when with family versus with lobbyists or state officials and the ways that they interact to influencing policy and law
ReplyDeleteOh this is going to be good. I cannot wait to see what comes from this observation. The cost of expensive wines, the dinners that cost thousands of dollars, how do people justify these things? And, who is paying? Are they in a powerful position? Do they want something from the people they are buying the meals for? This will be so interesting.
DeleteHow will you determine family vs lobbyists vs state officials? What kinds of policy and law are you talking about? Tell me more!
My experiences observing politicians has been rather grim, I always had an idealized view of the way the politics worked. I have watched lobbyist firms spend thousands of dollars on wine with politicians at the table, but only before the election or session because that is when they are “allowed to spend their money”. I watch honest, black women who are politicians get treated like “less than” the white men in suits. It honestly disgusts me. Through this experience and this job I have come to understand the way that money influences politicians. I have time and time again been handed a credit card with white powder on the rims, or seen them leave with women much younger than them. I think it's important to recognize these social experiences, so that I can better appreciate my own experience and learn that I should probably stay out of policy and politics. I deal with mainly senators and representatives in Florida and typically, they are republican representing. often, the lobbyists are having private meetings and fund the meals. It honestly feels really ass-backwards to have this insider view of politics and politicians when studying public health! P.s. As an informed wine enthusiast, I will never understand how people justify spending thousands on a bottle of wine, specifically politicians.
DeleteHi Maddie. Your social experience observing the inner workings of politics is eye-opening and honestly, deeply troubling. It’s disheartening to hear that the reality behind the scenes doesn’t align with the ideals of public service and integrity that many of us hope our politicians hold. The influence of money in politics is one of those issues that everyone talks about, yet seeing it firsthand—lobbyists’ tactics, financial sway, and sometimes even disturbing personal behavior. Your observation about lobbyists having private meetings and funding meals is especially concerning, as it blurs the line between public interest and private gain, undermining trust in policy-making processes. It’s understandable why this might make you feel wary of getting too involved in policy and politics, but it’s also possible that voices like yours—grounded in health, ethics, and a true care for communities—are what politics needs most.
DeleteAnd as for the wine, it's definitely baffling. Spending thousands on a bottle seems especially hard to justify when so many people struggle to make ends meet. Thank you for sharing this experience. It’s a perspective that needs to be out there, especially for those of us who want to see a political landscape that truly reflects fairness, integrity, and service to the public good.
Hi, Maddie,
DeleteI can totally get your frustration with this. I appreciate you taking on this observation and how expressively you put it!
Honest. Thanks for writing an honest review of what politics, race, wine, and women look like in your world. What is the solution now that you notice this?
DeleteHi Maddie,
DeleteI am not shocked by what your experience and the things that you observed, although I am a bit surprised that they were so blatant about it. Money and power can corrupt people, and in my opinion many influential people, such as politicians or CEO's of major companies behave as if they are untouchable or that the rules do not apply to them. They are the people that are supposed to advocate for and help their constituents and make promises about creating greater equality in public, while spending thousands of dollars on wine in private.
For my social experiment I would like to create a budget based on the federal poverty line. I am curious to see how it is possible to survive.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea! Will you live on this budget? How will this engage other people?
DeleteYes, I will for me and my family of 5
DeleteFor the social experience assignment, I chose to live at the poverty line for my family of five. To figure out what the poverty line was in North Carolina, I looked at the Department of Health and Human Services. I found out that the poverty line is in North Carolina for a family of 5 is $36,580 per year. I set my “hourly pay”at $17.58 per hour. I used a take-home pay calculator, and this told me that my take-home pay at this rate biweekly, after taxes would be $625. We are already living on one income in this household, so that does not change. My grocery budget every two weeks typically is $400, for this experiment I bumped my grocery budget down to $150 every two weeks. With rent, lights, and water this totals $965 a month, this does not include gas. Entertainment is not going to fit in this budget, so Netflix and paramount are on pause. Our cell phone bill is $115 a month, I could not pause that, so that leaves $210 for “extras.” Extras in this case are gas and activities for the kids. All right, so for this budget, I chose to shop at Aldi because I figured I could get a nice amount for the price, which helps me stick to the budget. I had to be very mindful of the meals that I made, so to keep things low, I chose to do a lot of baking instead of buying things like bread. I would make two loaves for the week. For breakfast I stuck to oatmeal and biscuits with egg and cheese. For lunches we stuck to peanut butter and jelly with fruit. Dinner was our largest meal of the day; I did a lot of crockpot meals. I stuck to buying fresh ingredients so for example, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and sweet potato things that I could buy in bulk for cheap. With a budget of $150 every two weeks, you cut it close towards the end of the week because you are getting down to the bare minimum in the pantry. I love coffee so I did have to keep that, found that I could go to Dunkin for a treat and stay on budget, I had to stick to regular coffee, nothing special. worked out, but it was tough! My kids were not the biggest fans either. I am nursing as well, so I had to ensure that I kept my calorie count was high enough. I can see how trying to survive below the poverty line can be extremely difficult. Trying to factor in extracurricular activities was near impossible unless you can find free activities. We did do a lot of free things during the experiment; I took the kids to the park we went to some of the free local events around town. I thought that shopping at the farmers market would be cheaper, but quickly found out that was not the case. Having SNAP is almost necessary for the families who are living in poverty. I am thankful for this experience. It was very eye-opening. I think it opened my children’s eyes as well to see how some people have to survive.
DeleteI have some photos from our baking and activities, but I do not see a place to post.
DeleteMy social experiences will involve people watching in the workplace. I will take notes of the kind of foods they are eating and what department they belong to. There are some people in the work place who eat out daily and others who do not eat at all. I am looking to see if there is any correlation along with a roundabout estimate of their income based of department.
ReplyDeleteWow this is fascinating. What do you think will happen? What do you mean by department. Meaning that people with higher paying jobs/departments will be eating with others? Healthier foods?
DeleteMy goal would be to see if those that are higher paid (salesman ranging from salaried to millionaires) eat more expensive or healthier foods compared to those in other departments that are paid a more average wage depending on skill from warehouse to billing to IT.
DeleteI have noticed that those who are in higher earing departments tend to bring in homemade healthier foods like salads or meats with vegetables while those in other departments frequently ate snacks as a meal or had fast food. This makes sense as those with higher income has greater accessibility to fresh ingredients and more time to make healthy meals. Those in lower earning departments are mostly single parents or grandparents and are frequently out and about with little time to prep a whole meal. Most report only grocery shopping every few weeks where we know fruits and vegetables do not last long so they must be shopped for about once weekly.
DeleteThe more I observe the more frustrated I feel. I hear my coworkers speak about how they are stretching to make ends meet. I asked to use one coworkers Sams Club membership to purchase a bulk drink that is what I have for lunch and she said that if I use her card, the $25 purchase will not go through. She was very welcoming to me using her account but I need to add my own card instead of pay her back. This is fine with me, however we all work very hard and she should not be struggling in that way. In my department and others alike that get paid hourly, we are all the bones of making sure our vendors get paid and our salesman get paid. Without us, there would be no company as no money would be coming in or paid out yet we are the ones skipping meals or eating poor quality foods.
DeleteI have been inspired by some of the posts above, and for my social experience I will be maintaining my own food budget to meet the food stamp budget. I spent years working for the social services office in my county, and saw the very small amount that household were given to provide food for their families for a month. It’s never quite enough. I want to see if I can manage to budget my own food out for a week, in accordance with the budget allotted by the Department of Agriculture for food benefit recipients.
ReplyDeleteI will need to research what the monthly allotment is at this time, and will record my experiences and keeping myself fed adequately on that particular budget. Having seen what it’s been in the past, I don’t believe it’s going to go very well. I am the primary food purchaser and cook for my family, so I will not be subjecting them to this experiment, but I think it will be interesting to see their responses to it as well.
Brilliant idea!
DeleteThis is brilliant. Will you document what this process feels and looks like. If you had to guess how much your food budget is now, what is it? And how much will it b e with the current DA food benefit?
ReplyDeleteIf I had to estimate my food budget every month, it would be around $1800. This is embarrassing, but we tend to eat out, drive through coffee spaces, and celebrate with food. I am so glad you are doing this.
AK
Noticing People, Money, and How We Live
ReplyDeleteWhite backpack girl
Red hearts on the pack
A matching lunch bag sways
From her hands
Walking from the low-income apartments
To the middle school .
Hope is her name
Attacked by dogs at the bus stop
Waiting for the bus to take her to school
Blood. Tears. Walking to the school nurse for help
Nobody was worried about her or the dog
Hope’s grandmother raising her
Grandmother died a few months ago
Who will Take Grace to the doctor?
No Water - in the USA
We don’t even have any water
Oh, it’s been years since we could drink some water here
It’s the leadership
I don’t know if we need new pipes or what, but we don’t have any water that’s safe.
No Heat
She doesn’t have heat in her house
It’s below freezing tonight
She sits on the couch under a heating blanket
We got at a Costco for $20
The pair of dogs lying on the floor, breath visible in the air.
This is life without heat.
Crown
I stare at the crown tattoo across his neck
Maybe a gang symbol ... he’s not from here.
Philadelphia
I work two full time jobs
Pumping gas here and C and D nursery
Yeah I don’t sleep a lot
I still don’t make the $35 an hour that flagger makes
I don’t feel sorry for him at all, just standing there with the flag
Curving on Glucose
$498 that is the cost
For the glucose curve study, some blood work, and syringes
You’ll come back in two weeks, for another glucose curve… and keep coming back until it’s stabilized
I look at the cat
That came with my house
And tell the cashier, I guess I will need to find another job.
Infection
Emergency root canal surgery
That will be $2,100
How would you like to pay
Thinking of all the people who live with constant pain
From roots that span the gums to the eyes
They don’t have $2100 laying around.. at least nobody that I know does.
$500
That’s what it will cost to design a 10-page report about the Good Road of Life Training
If you want these numbers designed, it will be more
$1000 for a report
A report that no one might read.
$3896
That’s the cost of 18 Patagonia jackets for the team
This doesn’t include
The $1000 logos
The $250 on shipping
Is it worth it
To remember people?
This is a few days of noticing money, people, and inequities.
I have loved reading everyone’s plans for social experiences. I am excited to see the results. For my experiment I am going to attempt to live on a food budget to meet the food stamp budget. I chose this because I have a family of 3, my family is much bigger but there is 3 adults in my household. Unfortunately, I don’t make budgets so to speak. I know what I have to pay and that’s that. My grocery shopping adventures are never mindful, planned, or budgeted. Todd and myself generally take care of our own food, as he eats at his work mostly and will always make sure to bring me dinner home. My 23 year old son that lives with me, well let’s just say he is still a picky eater and if its not pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, or fast food he wants no part of it. So my grocery shopping consists of breakfast foods, on the go snacks, vegetables and fruit for myself. I end up spending $300-$400 every time I go to the grocery store and it never seems like a lot. I was always told in order to shop for healthy foods stay on the outside aisles, the stuff down the aisles are not good for you. That may have been a tactic to keep me from buying stuff like chips, cookies and candy.
ReplyDeleteExcited to see how this process goes for you and your family. What is the food stamp budget you will be working with?
DeleteI have considered your thoughts to choose something that I am able to stick to and complete. With my sparatic trips to the grocery store and my househould makeup I do not think that my choice was the best one. I currently do volunteer work at Residential Treatment Services of Alamance and I am in the midst of witnessing policy changes within this organization. This is a non-profit organization and has received a sufficient amount of money from the opioid settlement funds and has also been awared grants from one of the local Wal-Mart locations. I have a very personal connection with this facility and I have been awed by the transformations this facility is making for Alamance County and those with substance use disorders as well as mental health challenges. I am also going to provide a little insight on their food budget. The majority of the food cooked is donated by local food banks, local churches, and community members. The facility still has to purchase the necessitites such as milk and meat because what they are donated is not sufficient to feed the residents there. RTSA houses approximately 10-15 inpatient male residents a month, an average of 20 males and females come through detox a month (that is on the rise) and has nursing staff on duty around the clock. This facility has been under great pressure to do something different or it won't last another year in business. I am excited to share these social experiences from my own perspective and how it relates to policy changes and the healthcare these residents can obtain.
DeleteThis is important work. I am surprised that most food is donated by foodbanks- this must save the facility a lot of money. Some of the issues we have encountered with federal funding is that we cannot buy food or meals to support events/programs. The cost of treatment is significant. Many do not have funds to pay- treatment centers often lack resources and or quality foods/conditions. People wanting to be on the healing path deserve the best of the best- well everyone does. But when we are in safe, clean, comfortable places it's a bit easier to get on the healing path. Empathy is the goal.
DeleteMy social experience will be volunteering at the Durham Rescue Mission. I will be volunteering at the mission next month and want to talk to staff and volunteers about which programs are effective and which aren't meeting their needs. Discuss any frustrations with current policies or funding limitations that impact their work.
ReplyDeleteHere's a poem that I wanted to share.
DeleteAlthough I wish....By: Jacob Folger
All I got is this bag
Tattered and so frayed
One pair of socks to call my own
No place for my head to lay.
Beg for money to buy my food
No fork or knife, man this is crude
I wish I knew what I could do
I should slam a six of booze.
People passing in fine business suits
As if I am not here
“I am a man!” I want to shout
This life is hard to bare.
There is no job to be had
So I sit and hope for better things
I organize my tattered bag
Whatever it takes to not feel sad.
The sun is setting it is night
My fight has just begun
I pray I won’t freeze before it’s through
Although I wish my life was done.
This is powerful. Belinda I am proud of you for volunteering at the Mission! There are at on of videos on poverty/social experiments, this is just one,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14npG9l4FRA
DeleteI completed my social experience this weekend at the Durham Rescue Mission (DRM). I arrived and met with my leader for assignment. I began with cleaning tables and putting chairs at tables. Firstly, I didn't know DRM offered in addition to feeding people in need, they also offer: shelter, clothing, vocational training and GED/education, counseling, financial planning and job placement. My curiosity grew stronger; so many programs how can they all be effective? As I talked with the staff and volunteers, it made sense that food, shelter, and clothing were the most utilized services, largely because these meet the most immediate needs. These essentials are well-known to everyone who comes to DRM, and when people are hungry or need warmth and shelter, these resources are their first priority and took precedence.
DeleteAfter wrapping up with that group I moved to the kitchen to prepare for lunch service. The Durham Rescue Mission receives food by way of donations, gifted canned and non-perishable foods and also food drives. I wore an apron and hair covering and moved to a place in the serving line. This location where I was specifically catered to mothers and children. As they began to arrive, I felt a deep emotional response; seeing mothers of all ages with their children lined up for a meal was heart - wrenching. It was clear to me how much we take for granted the simplest of things like a hot meal. The line remained steady for what seemed like an hour but it wasn't more than thirty minutes. As my time at the mission was coming to an end I asked, on average what is the cost of a meal? The cost of one meal is around $2.50. I quickly thought, that means that a donation of less than $10 could feed a person for a day. We spend more than that on lunch alone. Before I left I touched base with the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss any frustrations or things that could be done better. I explained to him beforehand that I was "snooping" around for an assignment I was doing - definitely not trying to shut them down :) His response was probably as we all would expect: "during the holidays they receive numerous monetary donations, clothing from drives and so many volunteer requests that they don't have the space for but by late spring early summer our cupboards are almost bare and the cash flow has slowed. Many of the people that work there have three or four different jobs but still find themselves cleaning, feeding and sorting because half way through the year we don't have volunteers to do it. There is a lot of work to be done on a daily basis but until we can get consistent resources we can only do what we can do. That goal is to never turn anyone away."
On my drive home, I felt a range of emotions as I did throughout this experience. I felt compassion and empathy for those that were relying on the mission for support and the dedication by the staff and volunteers were humbling. I also felt frustrated. Frustrated about the limitations for assistance and funding and volunteers. Its true during the holidays its like we all want to "do something" to say, I volunteered but just coming for the holidays does not help the cause. Having these conversations really opened my eyes to the complexities of addressing homelessness and the need for some change. One thing I did, during that conversation with the Volunteer Coordinator I asked when he needed help again. I signed up my church for November 30; a group of twelve of us will be going to serve at the same location. He has my contact information and I asked him, throughout the year when he is short on volunteers to reach out to me. No, we will not be able to help every time but I'd rather us help when there is a need rather than "fitting us in". He on the other hand was delighted to sign us up and said, "that's awesome, I really appreciate that." This experience has inspired me to advocate for the Durham Rescue Mission which could better serve the community.
This is picture from the volunteer sign-in area that was on the bulletin board:
I couldn't get the photo to post but what it says: Your Donation Saves Lives
DeleteThis is and was the goal of social experiences. I am proud of you and this work.
DeleteMy social experience will be about myself. In spring of last yar I lost my full time job, I will tell you how I survive managing paying my bill with a part time job.
ReplyDeleteNadia- this is important. How will you communicate this experience with the class. What can other people in the class/life learn from this reflection?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy social experiment will be budgeting for the remainder of the semester, as I will be cutting back on work tremendously to devote more time to studying. Me and my partner currently live off two incomes and will be dropping down to only his income starting this coming week. I normally use my paycheck to buy groceries, essentials, anything home-related as well as care insurance. It will be interesting to see how we manage our budget with only one income.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be really valuable. I am looking forward reading how you do this and what it feels like!
DeleteI want to do my social experiment on living within the limits of SNAP benefits for myself and my daughter, but finding meals and ways to cook that will allow me to maximize our nutritional intake.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea. Keep track of your meals, see what has been published on this previously, write how this was similar to or different from your life without hypothetical SNAP benefits.
DeleteI would like to do my social experience on how my family of seven would live off of my income alone. I will account for cost of living, groceries, and mortgage payments. I am interested to see if it is possible to stay above water without two incomes.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is going to be epic. What is the income you will live off of? How much more or less is that than the federal poverty line for your family in your county/state? What will you cut out of your budget, how will that make you feel?
DeleteMy social experience is to see if it would be possible for my family of seven to live off of my income alone. Currently my husband and I both have incomes, and my husband brings home VA disability. We live comfortably with what we bring in, and often wonder how people can get by with a single income. I am a dental hygienist and I make $38.69 an hour and typically work a 32 hour work week, therefore my monthly income on my salary alone is around $4,952.32 or around $59,400 a year. After taxes and retirement, I believe I take home roughly $4000 a month. The 2024 federal poverty line at 100% for a family of seven before taxes is $47,340 and for 150% is $71,010, therefore my family would fall into the 150%.
DeleteSo to see how this would work for my family, I will first list our estimated bills for the month.
Mortgage- $980
Insurance- $200
Car Payment- $200
Electric- $250
Water- $40
Trash- $40
Internet-$70
Cell phone-$200
Gas-$150
Groceries- $1200
Pet care- $100
Therefore, off of the bare necessities in my household the cost would be $3,430. After taking home $4000 would leave my household of seven with less than $600 leftover. Although that means it would be possible it would definitely mean penny pinching for sure. $600 can go really fast when you factor in field trips, outings, sports, birthdays and holidays. That is not even accounting for the cost of home and car repairs. We own three cars, only one of which we are paying for. It is great to be down to one car payment, but that also means our vehicles are on the older side now and are in constant need of minor repairs which may even turn to larger repairs.
I did look up the SNAP income limits for 2024 and determined that if I was on a single income, my family would qualify for up to $1500 a month in benefits. That was very surprising for me and would make all the difference in the world for my family if we were on one income. The maximum gross income for a family of 7 is actually $7,890. I honestly had no idea that if you bring in around $90,000 a year, you could qualify for SNAP benefits. I am sure it is not the full amount of monthly benefits, but would help either way how prices in the grocery market continue to climb. If my family was down to one income, it is good to know that a program like SNAP would help us keep our heads above water.
In all, if my family had to survive off of one income, we could definitely do it. It would not be fun and a lot would be cut out, but we could make it work. I think the biggest thing that having two incomes has afforded my family is peace of mind and the ability to spend without having to worry all the time, which is the opposite way I grew up. By no means are we rich, and have to plan out bigger purchases and expenses, but my children ask for something or need me to cash app them some money. It is not something I have to think about, it is something I can just do for them.
I remember when I was 14 I quit sports and after school activities so I could get a job and bring in my own income, because my parents just did not have money to give to me. I knew I wanted a car and my own financial freedom, and I knew I had to do it on my own. My children are not spoiled and know the value of a dollar, but I love that I have been able to provide my children with what I did not have so they can focus on school and sports and their futures. With that being said, after writing down my income alone, I can see that there are ways we can budget better and spend the extra income in better ways. I would love moving forward to first actually look at where our money is going and cut back on unnecessary expenses. In all I feel really blessed to have a career that helps contribute a great deal to my household, and could even support us if the need ever arises.
After careful consideration I have finally narrowed down my social experience. At first I wanted to volunteer but finding the time was a but difficult. Because I am a very observant person, observing people and families who are struggling with health, income, and social status- and thinking about solutions seemed to fit best. My career goal is to work within my community, working and educating mental health/low income families. Because I have a variety of environments I can observe individuals within whether it be healthcare, school, everyday activities. Finding solutions to these struggles is the portion I am most interested, as this is when critical thinking and innovation comes in play.
ReplyDeleteYes! How can we find solutions to these social experiences we are observing, knowing, and feeling. I appreciate your career goal. The video I posted a while back about giving people the fishing hook not teaching them to fish seems to be so important, but our mainstream society is generally against this approach.
DeleteMy social experience was observing people from different income, education, and social status.
DeleteThe person I observed was a patient I took care of for three weeks. Working in healthcare, you witness a variety of individuals with different backgrounds. When caring for patients, you must attend to their physical and mental needs. The reason I say this is that listening to patients and simply being there for them can often make the largest difference. When observing patients many times their body language will tell you more than they do. Upon admission to the hospital, all patients go through the admission process that includes questions concerning the patient. Their history, current living situations, and level of care required. We can only go off what the patient tells us.
My observation was of an elderly individual living alone in unfair conditions. The patient was admitted for an unwitnessed fall. The patient has no previous history, as they state, “I don’t like the hospital and have no reason to come.” When interviewing patients on their history, not only are you asking questions, but it’s your job to read the room, look at body language, and listen to what the patient is telling you without words. As far as the patient's appearance is concerned, they appear frail, have bruised skin, and have dirty, odorous feet and clothing. It is obvious that this patient is not able to provide self-care. Many times when the elderly live alone, they convince themselves they are capable of caring for themselves. Upon questioning the patient about their daily routine, it seems no one checks on them. The patient receives phone calls twice weekly for check-in, but no one physically sees the patient. Upon further communication with the patient, she admits that the ambulance came to check on her after she was unable to answer the phone. Within the ambulance note, the patients' living conditions had no running water and no heat. The patient must have been on the ground for an extended period because there was evidence of incontinence around the patient, which seemed to have been there for a good amount of time. The patient is unsure how long they were on the ground but felt that she was okay because her TV show kept playing over and over. This patient was more concerned about not being a bother to anyone.
After communicating and working closely with the case manager and social worker, we were able to set up home health care for the patient, including physical therapy. We were also able to contact Meals on Wheels and the local church to add her to the volunteer list. She now has a personal aid that comes a couple hours each day, PT comes three times a week. Meals on Wheels deliveries meals five times a week, and the church volunteers visit on the weekends. The patient was also signed up for Life Alert.
This issue is too common within the elderly population. Anyone can tell you on the phone that they are okay, but when you put eyes on the individual, you can see things like hygiene, weight loss, even signs of confusion and delirium. At times, the individuals have family, but they are either located long distance from the patient, or they don’t communicate, and not on good terms. This is a change that needs to be made. How do we care for individuals if we don’t know they need care? As the baby boomer population ages, we are bound to see an increase in the number of elderly people. According to the NC Department of Human Services, “81% of individuals age 65 and older live with one or more chronic diseases. In 2020, North Carolina had the 14th-highest rate of older adult food insecurity in the United States; nearly 7.7% of older adults aged 60 and older were food insecure. 27% of adults aged 65 and older lived alone, placing them at risk of social isolation and associated poor health outcomes” (NCDHHS, 2024).
Reference
2024 Insights Into Aging in NC | NCDHHS. (2024, June 10). Ncdhhs.gov. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/2024-insights-aging-nc
I usually do not like to spend too much of my time observing others, but I find this assignment to be very intriguing. The industry which I work does not give me a lot of insight on the struggles of average households and how income would directly affect their health, however, I do travel across the United States weekly for work and there is so much to observe. Different areas of the United States bring so much diversity and separate struggles, it has been very interesting taking the extra time to learn. I have been talking to restaurant owners, several grocery store managers and 1 soup kitchen in downtown Los Angeles and their different insights to todays poverty crisis has been really fascinating. I look forward to diving deeper into some of these topics and putting what I have observed, learned and my own perspective into words.
ReplyDeletePowerful. I am excited to learn what you capture from your travels/experiences.
DeleteWhat do you think you will notice and learn about the poverty crisis? Is it different by region or is poverty poverty?
For my social experience I will be reflecting on the past two years of my practice as an abortion doula. While I have been an abortion doula for half a decade now the landscape has shifted drastically since the Dobbs vs Jackson Whole Woman's Health case was decided. With the permission of several clients I will walk you through their stories, the circumstances of their abortions and the impacts abortion restrictions had on their lives and families.
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful and could literally change the world- what we know and think about poverty, income, opportunity, and conditions as they relate to reproductive health options. The current climate in the US caters to people with material resources. This makes it unfair and unjust for issues like reproductive health options because they are not equitable across regions, groups, and states.
DeleteCan we share this with the world? Write this up? How could what you learn be used to impact/change what we know and think we know?
That is the question of my life, how can the insights I have gained being in these spaces be used to upend the socitial conception of abortion and reproductive health? I have to get permission from my clients before sharing their stories more broadly but I have often thought about writing short stories.
DeleteI have chosen as my social experience to go with a team from my church to Spruce Pine, NC to assist residents that has been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, providing supplies, food, and emotional support. I plan to listen and engage directly with the residents, paying close attention to their immediate needs, health challenges, and any visible impacts of income and social status. I will document my observations and potential solutions, highlighting ways the community and local policy makers can continue supporting these victims by larger-scale solutions to address their current social challenges.
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful and I am glad your church is serving residents impacted by the hurricane. Serving people, reaching them, supporting them, listening to them- and ultimately loving people is one of the greatest gives we can give other humans. I am really excited to see what you find. How are the impacts different based on SES?
DeleteHi Ms. Summer, I saw that your church collected donations to carry to Spruce Pine, NC to assist with those affected by Hurricane Helene. I was able to connect with a church that was delivering to Spruce Pines as well. I received pictures from the church of how many things were collected and how the monetary donations bought extra supplies. What a phenomenal reflection of how our communities truly do rally together to help others in need. The act itself was horrendous and my heart goes out to all of those affected but my heart grew a little bigger when I saw what these donations were doing for others. I gained a little bit of hope in mankind. In a world full of anger and hate the love that has poured out of the hearts of our fellow citizens leaves me speechless.
DeleteDuring my time today volunteering with the team from my church in Spruce Pine, NC assisting residents that was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, I experienced a mixture of emotions that were both humbling and eye-opening. I felt compassion and a deep desire to offer as much help as I could; seeing their losses firsthand brought an immediate sense of urgency. The sheer level of need in front of me left me with a feeling of helplessness, realizing that our supplies and time there were only temporary solutions to what felt like overwhelming, life-altering problems for this community. I could see how urgently they needed long-term support and stability, not just the immediate relief we were able to provide.
DeleteAs I listened to their stories, a profound sense of sadness surfaced. It was heartbreaking to witness children’s confusion and the parents’ visible stress as they tried to reassure their kids despite their own uncertainties. I felt a shared frustration, knowing that if they had access to greater resources, their recovery might have looked vastly different. They deserved more than what was available to them, and that was a difficult truth to reconcile.
Our team met and served over 75 families in Spruce Pine today who has been displaced by Hurricane Helene. It became clear that the storm’s impacts were not distributed evenly and socioeconomic status (SES) played a significant role in the resources families had to navigate recovery. The disparities between low-income and higher-income families' recovery outcomes had a profound impact.The storm wiped out the limited resources of lower-income families which were already stretched thin before the disaster. Many shared that they lived paycheck-to-paycheck, with few savings or fallback options. This made it almost impossible for them to handle sudden losses of income, possessions, or stable housing. They are currently facing prolonged instability without the financial cushion to secure temporary shelter, access to rental assistance, or even replacing essential items. Health concerns were also a large concern for many, as some had lost access to the medications and ongoing care they depended on, and transportation challenges made it difficult to access nearby clinics.
A particular family of four that I encountered had lost their home and vehicles, leaving them without shelter and transportation tugged at my heart more profoundly. During my time with this family, the disparities caused by their socioeconomic status became very clear. They shared that they were already on a tight budget before the storm and has now lost what little stability they had managed to create with no immediate access to savings or insurance. The father explained that their financial situation limited their ability to secure temporary shelter in nearby towns or to rent vehicles, which meant they were left solely dependent on local aid and the generosity of volunteers. They were placed in a shelter, but it was crowded and didn’t meet the health needs of one of their children, who required medication and consistent care. The mother which was visibly exhausted, shared about the emotional strain on their family dynamic and how their children struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability. It was clear that both parents were anxious about their ability to rebuild their life.
*Continuation from my post above
DeleteI realized that immediate relief is only the first step. Sustainable, long-term solutions are needed to support families facing similar losses. The experience of this family made clear the broader pattern I noticed, which was that low-SES families experienced greater impact by catastrophes like Hurricane Helene, shifting what may have been temporary disruptions into extensive hardships. Additional resources targeted to low-income, displaced families should be taken into account by state and local assistance programs for families such as theirs. Accessible shelters with healthcare facilities, streamlined transportation options, and expedited processes for emergency aid would offer families a chance not only to recover but to regain the stability needed to rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.
My social experiment was to volunteer at the Holly Springs food bank, for a month now I've done it three times and I'm still unsure how I'm going to express my thoughts on my time there.
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you for volunteering, Michael!!
DeleteI was in Dallas, Texas, for a few weeks and decided to volunteer at a soup kitchen on Saturday, October 26th from 9am-3pm out of curiosity, as this is not my usual community. Beyond my initial expectations, volunteering at the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) in Plano, Texas, had a profoundly transforming impact. Despite not being a conventional soup kitchen, NTFB has a significant impact on the area's efforts to ensure food security because of its vital role in delivering food to shelters, pantries, and other groups throughout Dallas. I gained a deep understanding of the scope and cooperation needed to combat food insecurity after witnessing the behind-the-scenes labor that helps so many individuals who are malnourished.
ReplyDeleteThe physical demands of the task—packing boxes, arranging food, distributing supplies, and cleaning—were exhausting during my nearly seven hours there, but they helped me better appreciate the dedication and fortitude of those who regularly work here. Collaborating with committed volunteers, each of whom contributed a distinct background and skill set, strengthened a feeling of unity. Our efforts were clearly united, as if everyone of us were a little but crucial component of a bigger fabric of communal solidarity. The volunteers' varied backgrounds served as a miniature representation of the Dallas region, serving as a reminder to me that individuals from different backgrounds can unite to effect change.
One aspect of the event that had the biggest impact was interacting with food bank visitors. Hearing intimate stories from people and families shed light on the diverse situations that contribute to food insecurity, which is frequently depicted in general terms. Many guests shared stories of life circumstances that had put them in unexpected difficulties, such as illness, a family emergency, or losing their jobs. These stories altered my perspective on resilience by demonstrating to me that adversity may affect anyone and that assistance from others is frequently necessary for resilience. It became evident that food banks and similar institutions are vital lifelines for those going through challenging times rather than just locations for short-term assistance.
I am inspired to keep helping people who are homeless and living in poverty as a result of this experience. My conviction that community support, empathy, and direct action can forge real relationships and spur positive change was reinforced by seeing the commitment of the volunteers and the people in need of help. I now have a greater sense of appreciation and obligation to support laws and procedures that address the underlying causes of food insecurity and poverty.
I am proud of you for stepping out of your normal activities and volunteering at a food bank!
DeleteFor my social experience, I put myself on a food budget in line with North Carolina's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. I decided to do this for one week, so I divided the full monthly amount by 4 to get my budget.
ReplyDelete$292 a month. That’s $73 a week.
I usually only eat twice a day. I drink a lot of coffee though. So much coffee, but I drink it black so that’s a few extra dollars saved... and the coffee shop next door gives me a free cup a day because my dog is the neighborhood emotional support animal.
1 12-ounce bag of coffee: $8.46.
2 dozen eggs: $2.16 each. $4.32 total.
1 8-ounce block of cheddar cheese. $1.97.
3 cans of black beans: $1.72 each. $2.58 total.
1 8-pack burrito size tortillas: $2.08.
1 16-ounce box of spaghetti: $0.98
2 apples: $1.38
1 16-ounce package frozen blueberries: $2.47
2 bananas: $0.58
1 32-ounce container vanilla yogurt: $2.56
1 wedge parmesan: $2.88
1 1-pound box of butter: $4.26
1 5-pound bag of flour: $2.38
1 3-pack of yeast: $1.88
1 can baking powder: $1.98
1 1-pound box of sugar: $1.72
1 large container salt: $0.67
1 small container pepper: $2.08
1 half-gallon of milk: $1.62
1 16-ounce jar of salsa: $1.92
Total, with room to spare: $48.71 for the week, and space for extra as needed.
Honestly- for a short time, this is doable. But it’s just me, not me and my family. And I don't work; I am absolutely blessed with time. I don’t need to worry about waiting for bread dough to rise, I could wait it out. I’m not too tired after work to make something from scratch, or to plan careful meals and make sure I get nutrition, which is a luxury so many people don’t have.
If this money had to stretch for me and my child, it would be more difficult. She requires and deserves a lot more variety, and I know I would cut down what I eat to make sure she has her needs met.
Also – this is horribly boring. Food is fuel, but it can also be such a joy. Not having the income and support to have a simple joy on an ongoing basis would absolutely break me. I express love through creating and serving comforting, delicious food to those I care about, and I struggle to find the room to do that on subsistence funds. I advocate for UBI in general, to allow people the ability to pay basic bills and provide simple things; I also believe that UBI should not count toward income for food assistance benefit calculation. People deserve to find joy in sustenance, and without time and money, they miss out.
Thank you Nicole for putting yourself in these shoes and for sharing the realities of what so many face each day. Your social experience captured the reality of SNAP budgeting on a personal level and highlighted many of the complex challenges that comes along with it. Trying to balance nutrition, variety, and joy in such a tight budget is difficult enough when you’re on your own, but you bring up an important point—adding family into the equation raises the stakes tremendously. I completely agree with you, time is definitely a privilege. Many people living on food assistance work long hours, juggle family responsibilities, or face other barriers that make cooking from scratch or meal planning even more challenging.
DeleteYour observation of how limited funds can restrict food as a source of comfort and expression deeply resonated with me, as I believe that food, is indeed more than fuel; it’s culture, it’s love, and it’s connection. Living without room for that small joy can take an emotional toll, especially when someone is already managing the stress of financial hardship. Your support for UBI and its exemption from food assistance calculations is a great suggestion to help close these gaps and ensure people not only meet their basic needs but also experience the simple joys and comforts that food can bring.
For this social experience, I really wanted to volunteer and assist with the community by participating in food banks or those struggling due to hurricane Helene but it has been difficult to find places to volunteer for and finding the appropriate timing. I have been inspired by my classmates and their lovely ideas! I think I have chosen to create a budget on myself for my monthly groceries that follows in line with my thyroid disease, hypothyroidism. I work about 10-15 hours a week while taking five classes so I make around $500-700 a month. Due to my thyroid disease, I make sure to spend my money on certain good quality foods and supplements that I take daily and will improve my thyroid function. While I have been budgeting since this assignment was first published, here is what I have planned so far:
ReplyDeleteBudget: $600 ( -$200 for car payment, -$100 for car gas) = leaving $300 for necessities.
**Keep in mind this is also a list of items I purchase every other month, not ever month**
Thyroid necessities:
Brazil nuts at $15 - high in selenium, great for thyroid function.
Ashwagandha at $27 - anti-inflammatory and hormone regulator.
Probiotics. $26
Vitamin D, Zinc & Iron at $180.
Omega-3 at $18.
Iodine-rich foods, example: eggs. - essential for hormone production. Eggs at $8.
For the total sum of $274.
After these necessary purchases, it would leave me with around $30 extra to spends on anything else. Although this is something that I do every other month or whenever needed, I still discipline myself to take well care of my health to ensure equity.
Wow. This is powerful. I like the idea of volunteering at a food bank and I hope you can do that in the future. It is worth it, 100%.
DeleteThis is an interesting budget and summary. It makes me think about the importance of planning meals, health, and how funds are spent. I somewhat surprised with the cost of supplements! Even every other month.... And I wonder what happens when people do not have funds to buy these- but need them for their health/or thyroid disease.
What is most important is that you have found a way to be healthy and live on a budget. AND you have the essential items that you need. What happens if something comes up like an emergency plane ticket, trip to hospital, flat tire, car breaking down, etc. These unexpected unplanned costs are what make it difficult for many people to survive. Stay healthy! Stay balanced. Take care of your spirit.
I’m remiss to admit this, but I was honestly behind on this project for a while. I signed up to volunteer at my local food shelter some time ago, after this project had all but slipped my mind, but it seems things have aligned. There was a point in my life, some years ago, when I myself was in need of assistance. Living paycheck to paycheck is no way to live, and I found myself applying for SNAP, or food stamps, as most people know them. While it helped, I made just enough that it netted me the smallest amount of aid, and so I found my way to the food bank. I’m not sure why the memories of this particular time in my life sprang up in recent months, but they did, and here we are. So, I signed up, and I was walked around the premises, explained the ins and outs of the operation, and I came in for several of my shifts. I call them that because I just can’t shake the feeling like it’s a job. It was mostly moving items, and packing items, and sorting items, and so on. I’m a younger man, and every other person volunteering there at the food bank was easily twenty years my senior, if not more. I did much of the heavy lifting. Eventually, a different position opened up, one where the volunteers set up to help personal shoppers. Essentially, there’s an appointment only day, for people who have trouble finding transportation and other such obstacles. I wanted to interact with those we were serving, and so I signed up. It wasn’t quite what I expected. I was given a few lines to say by one of the older women who organize the appointment. Nothing I had to strictly stick to, but a kind of cheat sheet I guess. Three hours asking people, “would you like two chicken, two beef, or one of each? We have an extra selection today; you can pick from one of the other proteins available. Please help yourself to anything you think you can use.” I said that one a lot, “please help yourself to anything you think you can use.” I said it to the older woman who came by, and I know this is terrible of me, I try not to make assumptions, but she was who I had expected. An older woman, maybe in her sixties, maybe in her seventies. She needed help down the few steps leading to my station. These are the people we set these things up for, the elderly, living alone on a fixed income. Maybe no family around to help.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a full circle moment for you, being able to help those that had once helped you before! I'm glad you had a positive experience, and I agree there is such a need for assistance for those elderly individuals living on a fixed income. I am glad you were there to be of help to that woman that day, you can never know how much you can impact someone's life.
DeletePowerful!
DeleteFor my social experience, I am going to write about three of my abortion doula clients, the circumstances of their abortions, and how abortion restrictions affected their lives. All of my clients' names and any identifying information have been changed, and all of these stories are post-Dobbs and post-North Carolina 12-week abortion ban going into effect.
ReplyDeleteKarli and I danced together in middle school; now, she's a brilliant graduate student. When she reached out to me, she was already in the waiting room of Planned Parenthood, waiting for her consult. She knew exactly what she wanted and didn't need help getting it. Karli had a supportive partner with resources to pay for the entire procedure since there are only one or two insurance plans in the state of North Carolina that cover abortion care deemed "elective," whatever that means. Karli is a young white queer woman; she was raised in a middle-class household and had two degrees at the time of her abortion. It wasn't that complicated for Karli; she wanted a PhD, not a baby. Karli mainly needs a place to unload all of the sexist BS that came with having an abortion post-Dobbs in North Carolina. The 72-hour waiting period was patronizing to Karli; the script her nurse had to read made her blood boil, and she was educated enough to know not all of it was medically accurate. She hated that her OBGYN couldn't just write the prescription for her in the office she had been going to for years. Despite all of her frustrations, Karli had the ideal abortion experience in North Carolina; she had resources to seek care quickly, she had time to take off for multiple appointments, and all of the barriers amounted to annoying but minor inconveniences. It's rarely ever that simple.
DeleteDelilah's story is more challenging to tell; I can't claim to know all the circumstances of her life or even her pregnancy. Delilah just showed up at the abortion clinic, begging to be seen. She was unhoused and utilizing the IRC's day center services, but she camped less than a half mile from the clinic at night. She was pregnant and using. The clinic worked her in for an ultrasound and consulted; unfortunately for Delilah, she was 26 weeks pregnant, and there was nothing the clinic could do except refer her to DC. How in the world is an unhoused person actively supposed to travel from North Carolina to Washington DC AND pay thousands of dollars for care?? It seemed impossible for Delilah, but a colleague and I offered to help. We started by initiating referrals to abortion funds in North Carolina and DC, plus several practical support organizations. Delilah got an appointment at a well-known later-gestation abortion clinic in DC, and between the National Abortion Federation, Carolina Abortion Fund, and the DC Abortion Fund, the cost of Delilah's appointments was completely covered. Next, we had to help Delilah coordinate travel; the practical support network Bridgid Alliance could cover the cost of Delilah's train ticket and a three-night stay at a DC hotel a few blocks from the clinic. Logistically, Delilah was set, but she was nervous. She didn't want to leave her things unattended for so many days. Hence, we needed to find a place to keep her things safe while she traveled for care, and she really needed a place to stay for at least weeks afterward as her risk for infection would be elevated sleeping in the woods with limited access to running water. One of the volunteer clinic escorts offered space in their basement for Delilah's things, but she had to board her train to DC, not knowing if she would sleep on the ground or in a bed when she returned. Delilah mostly recovered at the IRC, which wasn't ideal but less risky than camping. I heard through the grapevine a few months ago Delilah was seeking treatment. I hope she does, but until then, I hope she's using clean needles and carrying Narcan; I made sure she knew where to get them that first day we met.
DeleteThese are three of the hundreds of people I've supported in my five years as an abortion doula. These stories illustrate how unequal access to abortion care in America is today. Abortion bans and restrictions still impact those in higher income brackets and social classes; however, for these people, the barriers created only amount to inconveniences, while to more marginalized groups, such as those dealing with IPV and the unhoused, the barriers are like mile-high walls. It illustrates why advocates say Abortion bans are racist because they disproportionately impact marginalized groups. Today, we know of four women who have died due to abortion bans: Amber Thurman, Candi Miller, Jossili Barnica, and Neveah Crain. Amber and Candi died of sepsis caused by incomplete abortions in the state of Georgia after taking abortion pills. Neveah and Jossili died from complications of spontaneous abortions or miscarriages of their wanted pregnancies. Three out of four of these women are women of color; one was 18 when she died, and three already had living children. All of these women died years ago, but we are just now learning of their deaths. There are undoubtedly many more whose names we will learn slowly, only long after they die.
DeleteLauren, I thank you and I thank the women that were brave enough to allow you to share their stories with us. This was very powerful. So many women aren't lucky enough to have someone like you advocating for them, or just being there as a supportive figure. I don't know and wouldn't presume to ask what lead you to do the work, but I hope you know the full impact you're making for each of these women. Facing these kinds of things alone isn't something that anyone should have to do.
DeleteThese stories change how I think about life and abortion and income and opportunity.
DeleteI had decided to do my social experience on observing people/families who are struggling with particularly health related issues. I figured that because of my current job where I have a first-hand ability to see this it would greatly benefit my social experience. I am able to identify health issues within people and see what they are experiencing and what their life may look like outside this health issue. I also get the ability to follow up with them and see them weeks/months later and see how their life and health has either improved or declined. I thought this would help me establish empathy and a better understanding as I begin to journey into becoming a healthcare provider.
ReplyDeleteFinishing this project truly taught me a lot about our healthcare system. I work for a large non-profit hospital system that truly exceeds expectations when it comes to patient care. I used to work for a for-profit hospital system and the differences between patient care are astounding. I do primary care now and so I have a unique capability to get to see continuity in care among our patients which has made a significant impact on my own life. I am paired with a provider who has astounding empathy and compassion for her patients and truly cares for each and every one of them. She takes the time to get to know them and then allows them to get to know her. She believes primary care is a collaboration and her patients should have input on their own healthcare and the goals they have. We have several patients who are immigrants and have recently come to the US. They have a unique experience and a unique struggle. They are working around the clock to make ends meet while also trying to take care of themselves and ensure their health is up to par. It is inspiring to see individuals who work so hard also take the time to take care of themselves and are bold with what they need. They aren't afraid to be vulnerable and ask for help when it is needed. I also attribute this confidence in being able to ask for help to the reputation our health system has. We are known for what we give back to the community and how we help patients who are struggling. I have seen significant improvement in all the patients I work with. They understand why we are running the tests we do and the importance of that number to their personal health. A collaborative approach is inviting and gives the patient autonomy in deciding what they want to do with their own bodies. I think that more primary care providers should have this focus as well. It truly has made such a positive impact on the community I work within. I think of myself as extremely lucky, and I am thankful to get to see patients thrive firsthand. I think this social experience truly helped grow my empathy for those I never would have thought of before. It helped me see situations in more of an understanding way and realize not everything is so black and white. I am grateful for this assignment because of the way it opened my eyes.
DeleteGrateful is the path. How did it open your eyes beyond what you already knew and observed? Do you feel you know more about how income/SDOH impact how people show up in the healthcare system and how they are treated? Have you witnessed providers who do not show empathy? What is it about the provider that makes her want to be such an amazing human who focus on patient needs?
DeleteAK
The devastation from Helene is so unimaginable. I cannot imagine with these people went through and are continuing to go through. Your poem is beautiful and powerful. We must never forget these people that have suffered so much, but like you stated he was still grateful for what he had. Humans are so resilient!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy social experience is based upon what my thoughts and feelings led to.
ReplyDeleteThought: “All Mexican men have substance abuse disorders and are violent.”
Situation: My eldest son and I were DV victims due to my (now) ex-husband was a drug dealer with severe substance abuse issues. Every Mexican man he introduced me to was either an alcoholic or participating in illicit drug usage.
Feelings: Stress, fear, anger, disappointment, anxiety, resentment, pain, sadness, and hopeless.
I was sitting at a table eating lunch in the break room.
“Hey there!”, an unknown voice called out to me.
As I looked up, I saw a Mexican man smiling at me.
Tachycardia and tachypnea set in. My palms sweaty and shaking.
“What are you eating?”, he asked.
“Lunch.”, I sarcastically replied. I was short in my response and cautious.
“It looks good! Do you normally eat at this time?”, he inquired.
“No!”, I sharply lied.
“Oh, well I was thinking I could take my lunch break whenever you do. Maybe we could become friends?”, he said softly with a smile.
His doe eyes made him appear innocent.
“Why would you want that?”, I asked with a discerned look on my face. I was apprehensive of his motive.
“You’re sitting alone, and I sit alone during lunch. I think you could use a friend. I could too honestly.”, he said with sincerity.
Skip ahead to the future. This man became one of my best friends. He was supportive, kind, and caring. I was skeptical at first, but I slowly got to know more about him and his family. To my surprise, he had never drunk alcohol or did any drugs. He was a diabetic and focused on his health. He was the type of person that couldn’t even hurt a fly. I quickly judged him when we first met due to the trauma of my past. He learned of my story and educated me. He helped me face my fears. I learned through him not to judge a tree for a few bruised apples. I don’t know what would’ve happened to my mindset or heart if I had never met him. I have two biracial sons, so I’m forever thankful to my best friend for helping change me for their sake and my sake. I finally have hope for our future.
This is powerful, raw, vulnerable, and telling. I appreciate your poem and your experience. Experience is the teacher that gives us wisdom to live and to love others.
DeleteI'm so sorry for what you and your children had to experience. I am so happy you were able to get out of the abuse situation and I am glad you have found a friend in someone unexpected.
ReplyDeleteFor my social experience, I decided to live on a limited food budget according to guidelines of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). This program provides federal assistance to low-income families, ensuring greater access to food. I often have high food-related costs due to groceries, getting takeout or eating at restaurants, and I regularly enjoy getting coffee on my way to work. For the most part, I purchase groceries for myself, however my roommate and I take turns purchasing a few commonly used, staple items like eggs. According to the NC DHHS, the maximum benefit amount that I would receive per month would be $292, for a household size of one. Although I have a roommate I fit into this category according to the set guidelines. I usually go grocery shopping about twice a month and on these grocery trips, the costs vary but I usually spend around $165-170 per trip. I would say that my typical food costs for an entire month (including groceries and takeout) would be about $375. I decided to live on a limited food budget for 2 weeks, meaning that I had a budget of $146 to spend on groceries and food during this time, according to the SNAP benefits I would receive.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, this process was more difficult than I thought it would be, and I learned that I would need to change my eating habits and lifestyle if I were to live off the benefits I would receive. This experience pushed me and gave me a greater understanding of how social conditions impact health. Unfortunately, in the United States healthier food items are much more expensive than unhealthy items, this issue was reinforced during my experience. It was incredibly difficult to try to eat healthy and afford quality, nutritious options on this budget. It is easier to purchase less expensive items that are full of trans fats, fillers, are heavily processed and offer little to no nutrients that our bodies need. If you are living on a very limited income, your options are restricted, and you may not be able to afford nutritious food for yourself or your family. Our income and social conditions are deeply connected with our health status and health outcomes.
It’s tough! What do you do when you have to make that choice, between solid nutrition and feeling fed?
DeleteI used to work with a program that helps lower income households try to manage that line- nutrition, good flavors, healthy easy cooking, and soothing the soul. We had a lot of happy families get involved. I would love to see something like that offered to anyone with SNAP money.
Agreed. We have a system that sells junk and kills people... slowly. There are some promising programs like this one, https://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations/usda-programs-and-services/usda-indigenous-food-sovereignty-initiative#:~:text=The%20USDA%20Indigenous%20Food%20Sovereignty,AI%2FAN)%20dietary%20needs.
DeleteFor my social experiment, me and my partner will be budgeting for the remainder of the roof the semester. I have cut back on work due to school. We have always lived off two incomes and have solely been on his income for a little over a month. We have only paid one round of bills over this past month. Here is a rough estimate of what our bills look like.
ReplyDeleteHouse- $1200
Water-$70
Wi-Fi-$30
Car insurance-$200
His car Payment- $600
Pets(this includes anything from cats to horses)-$250
Groceries-$300
Life insurance-$150
Credit cards-$200
Roughly we spend around $3000 a month on necessities. I didn’t include fuel on this as it varies month to month on what we spend. I am lucky enough to have my vehicle paid off so that helps tremendously. He has always made a major income since he has a way better job than me, as he works at three different locations, but he is gone from home for days at a time. He averages $6000-$7000 a month. I only average around $800 a month. That $800 was always used to buy groceries, essentials, home-related items, and insurance. Last month he only made $6000 due to taking some unpaid vacation. By the time we paid the bills, and got some necessities we were left with $2000. We did not go grocery shopping this month due to our schedules being different. We know it is more expensive to eat out but it's easier for us to do so due to barely being home when our schedules don’t match. Now I know this is very fortunate to have but we are trying to save so we can buy some land, that way I don't have to travel back and forth daily to take care of my horses. We also try to save for tax season, as we always owe. Our saving was almost wiped clean in September due to my getting in a wreck and causing my insurance to go through the roof, and I had to use some of our savings as one of my horses got sick. So far the only loss we are seeing is our savings is hurting. My $800 a month was really helping. I’m curious to see how the holidays are going to go, as I do the majority of the shopping. We have already discussed not having Thanksgiving dinner at our home due to the cost of groceries being so high. This has been a really fun experience, I have learned so much about budgeting. I have also learned that $800 can go a long way.
Britney! I am so glad you shared this process and your budgeting/income. You mention the car wreck and insurance going through the roof- this is the challenge with unexpected expenses- they can set everyone back and it takes a while to reestablish savings or funds for these kinds of challenges. What will you do differently because of this experience?
DeleteWOW! I love this poem and your words. We are on a journey. All of us. I hope you have gained courage and wisdom. And Sing Your Song! Every step is a win.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for sharing this story and I am glad you can walk with her during this process.
ReplyDeleteI've watched how families interact with each other in certain situations in public stores. Noticing ethnicities and race don't react under the same situations in public. I'm wondering if it's how they were raised or if it is cultural and ethnic differences at play. Two white kids are picking on each other, the mother says "stooooooopppp" like she's had the longest day at work but the two black kids are throwing a football to each down the isle of Walmart, mom is NOT happy, telling the kids, "This is not a footballs field. Put it back and you better NOT embarrass me again!" I wonder how much of this comes from the past? Was the black mother raised with an understanding that black people should never act unruly in public or was the white mother entitled to being tired from work and not wanting to be burdened with the kids picking on each other?
ReplyDeleteMy first attempt at a social experiment failed. I was waiting for a friend in my car outside a restaurant. A woman approached and said she was hungry and had nothing to eat all day. She asked if I had any spare change. There was a Bojangles restaurant in the parking lot. I told her I would go to Bojangles and get her something to eat. She said, “I don’t want no chicken.”. I assumed if she had not eaten all day, Bojangles would suffice. I replied, “Well, I didn’t have any spare change.” She walked away.
ReplyDeleteMy next attempt was while I was on vacation. I saw a man sitting outside the drugstore with a sign with a. “Homeless, Hungry.” I stopped and he explained to me he was homeless and just wanted to get something to eat. So, I put some money in his container. He said thank you. I went into the store while still watching him. He took the money from the container and put it in his pocket. He continued to tell his story to the next passerby. Now, I realize these two people considered begging as their source of income.
I explained my plight to a friend. She told me she had a connection with staff at the Women’s Center in Raleigh. I had heard of this center. The Women’s Center houses at-risk women. The mission of the Women’s Center of Wake County is to provide stability and housing to single women experiencing homelessness. They are also well known for housing battered women. I had a co-worker at a previous job who received services from them from an abusive spouse. My friend told me she would ask the staff if the women needed anything.
My friend told me the staff said they needed hygiene bags. They needed deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, and feminine products. I said I could donate some items. She suggested we ask others to donate also. We both had family and friends to give us supplies. We did have to put them together. We put the items inside gallon zip-lock bags. We ended up with 20 bags. Some of the women have escaped violent situations. They are not allowed to use their real names for their safety and have been isolated from other family members. This is an organization in which I would like to help again.
For my HEA-447 Social Experiment assignment, I decided to collect donations for the homeless population in my hometown. I work at the local YMCA and there are a lot of people in the area who live below the poverty line and are homeless who enter the facility to shower and get supplies as needed. I collected shower supplies such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, etc and brought them for the homeless population to use. This social experiment was eye-opening for me as it educated me on the lives the homeless community live on a daily basis. I am grateful that I have never had to worry about having supplies to shower.
DeleteWow! Thanks for collecting these supplies. Where did you get the supplies? Did you buy them at the dollar store or did you ask fellow employees to donate them? What did people say when you gave them away? Did they have comments? Why are these supplies necessary and what happens to health and wellbeing when we cannot take a shower or clean our faces...
DeleteFollowing my Social experience paragraph, I wanted to share a poem I made in regards to it! :)
ReplyDeleteBefore the semester started, I felt secure,
Balancing work and school, life seemed sure.
But FAFSA’s mistake changed everything,
And soon I found myself in a financial ring.
Three thousand dollars gone, the burden grew,
Alone, with no one to turn to.
My family couldn't help, they had their own fight,
Leaving me in a hard, lonely night.
Anger and confusion filled my mind,
I blamed my family, I couldn’t unwind.
But in the silence, I found my way,
Working harder each and every day.
Ramen for meals and bills that pressed,
I sold my art, did my best.
Slowly, little by little, I got back on track,
Learning lessons I never thought I'd lack.
This struggle showed how fast things can fall,
But now I’m stronger, wiser through it all.
I move forward, cautious, ready to fight,
Prepared for the future, no matter the height.
Just Scraping By:
ReplyDeleteA bag of rice, a can of beans,
At these prices, I'll stay lean.
Kraft Mac & Cheese, just heat and mix,
Trust me, you scrape every last fix.
The days drag on, dark and long,
I wonder where I truly belong.
The walk to the store feels like a parade,
Like I'm wearing a mask, afraid to be made.
I pull out my coupons, weigh each one,
A brief pause, see what’s been done.
The savings are tiny,
It’s borderline criminal, honestly.
Are the cameras watching me?
Just one messed-up scan,
It was an accident—
I just need a hand.
I work so hard, I swear I do,
But all I get back is a cold "screw you."
How much longer can I live like this?
Seems like I’m always on the verge of bliss—
And then I miss.
I’ve learned to scrounge,
And look what I’ve found—
A crumpled dollar on the ground,
I laugh, but feel like a clown.
The wage isn’t fair,
I’ve got nothing to spare.
Powerful and very true to lived experiences.
DeleteThank you for sharing this experience and showing up with this work. I would love to see some of your art work!
ReplyDelete