Monday at the Mission Gets a Facelift
It's been a season of changes around the mission, and our bi-weekly newsletter is no exception. Monday at the Mission has been redesigned! We would love to hear what you think of the new look; send us an email or leave a comment on our
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A Hands-On Education
Dr. Sabyasachi Mahapatra spends more than 30 hours a week volunteering at the People’s City Mission medical clinic, offering his services for free to people who otherwise would not be able to afford medical treatment. He has been a steady presence for many clinic patients, and an inspiration for his son, Ravi. A recent graduate from Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Ravi plans to follow in his father’s footsteps, both as a doctor and a volunteer.
Ravi began volunteering at the clinic more than a year ago, after seeing the joy his father gained from his work there.
“I can see why he likes it now,” Ravi says. “You get very involved and very attached to people that come in, and the whole concept the clinic was built on.”
Ravi says one of the best parts about working at the clinic is the hands-on nature of the work he gets to do. In his time at the clinic, Ravi has done patient intakes, learned urinalysis, glued a torn earlobe back together, washed a rock out of an ear and drawn blood. Since he is going to be a med student, the nurses that work at the clinic have been very helpful, even allowing him to practice drawing blood from them when the clinic is not busy.
“I feel very involved here and very welcomed,” Ravi said. “Wanting to go to med school, I’m learning so much here, as much as I would learn in any class.”
Aside from hands-on learning, Ravi has also learned a lot about the impact the clinic has on the Lincoln community.
“I think it’s [the clinic] the most important program that’s going on in Lincoln right now,” he said. “The main thing is: you can’t be happy if you’re not healthy. Without health you have nothing. People that are down in the dumps, that have nothing? At least we can give them health.”
People's City Mission Staff Shuffle
There have been a lot of staff changes at the Mission lately, and we’re very excited about the team we have working with us. Because we’re so excited, we want to take a moment to celebrate those individuals who work so hard to help us help the homeless of Lincoln.
To those of you who are new, welcome! To those of you in new positions, congratulations!
Kyle Winchell : Interim Director of Family Shelter
Brett Anderson : Men’s Shelter Director
Rick Ragsdale : Human Resources Director
Richard Gervais : Safe Place Coordinator/Chaplain
Kevin Mowery : Curtis Center VA Advocate
Dylan Wren : Men’s Shelter Supervisor
Sheila Thompson : Administrative Assistant
Rich vonSpreckelson : Weekend Kitchen Supervisor
Lauren Honeywell : part-time, Family Shelter
Tim Dodd : Facilities Manager
Dustyn Behm : Curtis Center VA Mental Health Counselor
Becky Painter : Transitional Housing
Mac Preble : Curtis Center Spiritual Counselor
Jessica Kuhl : Communications Manager
Peggie Masek : Contribution Supervisor
Patricia O’Bryan : part-time, Homeless Prevention Center
McKenzie Swanson : part-time, Communications Assistant
Annika Uden : on call Family Shelter Supervisor
Gary Gillespie : on call Men’s Shelter Supervisor
Meet McKenzie
Good afternoon everyone! My name is McKenzie Swanson, and I am the Communications Assistant for the People’s City Mission, which means I am also one of the people you hear from in our bi-weekly newsletter.
I am originally from Sioux City, Iowa (I have to admit, I was born and raised a Hawkeye fan). I moved to Lincoln in 2007 to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and graduated in May 2011 with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations (and a thorough education in being a Husker fan!). These days I live here in Lincoln with my husband, Caleb.
I grew up Catholic—the fellowship, tradition and history in the Church drew me to God in a beautiful way. In college, through the student chapel and through my sorority, I was privileged to know many people who loved the Lord deeply and who inspired others to love Him. It is my goal in life to be like those people who have inspired me, and to reflect God’s love into the world the way so many others have done so well.
I work full time in Omaha as the Marketing Manager for a company that sells hardware and software for fast food restaurants, and part time with the Mission. The contrast between my two jobs is a strong one. Through the course of my week I go from working to promote a company and its products to writing about the work the Mission does and the people impacted. I consider it a great privilege to work at the Mission, and that time is by far my favorite part of the week. Already I have met some inspirational people and heard some incredible stories. I look forward to more of the same, to sharing those stories with you and to the challenges and growth that will come through the hearing and the telling.
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