Habitat for Humanity

I wrote this article for Sentinel about a week ago:

Students as Board Members

     What is a high school student doing as an adult board member? The local Habitat for Humanity was asked this exact question after they put a high school junior on their board last December in hope of encouraging the youth to become more involved in their community.
 

     Habitat for Humanity (HfH) is “an ecumenically based, non-profit organization whose Mission Vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” The South Lane County’s affiliate, here in Cottage Grove, has sponsored a number of events to make this community a better place to live. Part of that mission is to give the youth a “connection to the community” so that each generation works together, learns from each other, and becomes more united. There have been a number of events in the past, such as “Youth Build”, where teens gathered to construct houses for the needy.
 

     However, the Executive Director and Office Manager of HfH Linda Oxley expressed that the board has felt that a better connection with the high school students was needed. They believed that putting a student on their board might benefit both the student body and Habitat for Humanity by bringing them closer together. Thus in the fall of 2011, HfH sent an announcement to the high school, searching for a student who wished to become involved with them and whose “enthusiasm” would carry over to both their peers and the adult board members. They next sent an interviewer to the interested students, and finally found the perfect fit: Jessica Powell.
 

     When asked why she was interested in helping HfH, Jessica said it was because “Habitat for Humanity helps the youth feel inspired. They realize they can make a difference too.” Since she joined, Jessica has been given more and more responsibility. Most recently in July, she organized a can drive called “You CAN Help Habitat!” They gathered and sorted thousands of cans and bottles, which amounted to more than $1000. “That’s a lot of five cent cans,” observed one person. All the proceeds from this recycle drive went to HfH. For this next school year, she will concentrate on beginning a “Campus Student Club” at the high school to support Habitat for Humanity, as well as finding a suitable replacement for herself, since she will be graduating in the spring.
 

     Having a student on their board apparently could not have worked out better. The other board members love Jessica and her contagious energy. “She’s our energy drink,” said Linda Oxley. James Burke, the chairman of HfH, is now even encouraging other businesses and organizations to put students on their boards.
 

     Though they have no guarantee that every student will work our as well as Jessica, Habitat for Humanity seems to believe that the inclusion of more students onto such boards could only be a plus. It would encourage student support and unite the younger generation with the older. The students will be able to learn from the wisdom of the adults as they discuss events and their mission, and the adults will be able to benefit from the younger perspectives and zeal.

Meat Cutting School Demolished

I wrote this article for the Sentinel also, and it was published June 27th:

     The once world-renown Oregon Meat Cutting School was demolished on Saturday. The Community Development Corporation supervised the destruction of the building, which had been built in downtown Cottage Grove in the early-to-mid 1900s. Frank and Joann Shirk started the school in 1965, and it became an international success.

 

      Frank and Joann moved to Oregon from California and bought the building in 1962. They were already experienced meat cutters, and their establishment thrived. Soon after, the parents of a young one-eyed boy asked the Shirks to train their son. They agreed and six months later, the young man was ready to be professionally hired, and immediately received a job. This success fueled the business, which officially became a Meat Cutting School in 1965.

      In the following years, the establishment took off, training 25-30 students every six months. The school grew so quickly, that it could not contain the amount of participants. Not only did the school give its students incredible skills, but it also rehabilitated hundreds of smokers, veterans, alcoholics, druggies, and more. These apprentices had a 99 percent employment ratio, and many started their own schools. The Oregon Meat Cutting School became internationally known, and students were sent from all over to come to the school.

      Joann once asked a German pupil why he had come to America to be trained when meat cutters in Germany were more successful. He answered that the meat cutters in Germany were trained for years starting at age 13, and he could be trained in America for six months and know far more than his countrymen.

      The country of Korea asked in 1977 if the Shirks would open a school in Korea, since they were sending so many students to America to be trained. Though this did not happen, the possibility alone demonstrated the success of the Oregon Meat Cutting School.

      However in the mid 80s, the trade began to change. The business began to decline as customers bought their meats from grocery stores instead of meat shops, and meat cutters began to be replaced by machines. In 1988 with great grief, Frank and Joann closed the school and moved away. Since then, the building has sat on the corner off Main Street, and slowly deteriorated.

      Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, the location is finally being put back into use. The Community Development Corporation (CDC), whose goal is to “expedite improvement” in Cottage Grove, bankrolled the demolition of the old building. They believe dilapidated buildings destroy creativity, while an empty lot generates new ideas. Thus they leveled the old, to make way for the new. Though they don't have specific plans yet, they are pleased to be able to give a “helping hand” to Cottage Grove, and will continue to improve the community.

      Joann Shirk, and her son who grew up in the school, attended the destruction of their old home. She said she was glad they were taking down the old building, because it was more heart-breaking to watch it fall apart than to see it leveled in preparation for new venture.

      Though many people did not understand the significance of the old Oregon Meat Cutting School building, their attention is now drawn to it, as it becomes a place of development. The CDC mentioned that a “memory mural” may be placed on the inside of whatever building replaces the school, so that the school will never be completely forgotten. Thus, though the building died, its memory will continue to live.