|
November, 2007 |
|
Dear Friends, Fall has finally arrived, and the days are cool and lovely. At this time of year, I start thinking about what makes up a perfect world — a world filled with beauty, peace, and abundance. I believe that the right to beauty, peace, and abundance belongs to each and every one of us! However, beauty and peace are not what I see and hear when I turn on the TV or listen to the radio. The news is all about war, suffering and destruction. What can we do? This is a question that has always plagued me. At Mirasol, one of our major philosophical tenets is that people need to learn to take responsibility for themselves. With that in mind, we teach that personal responsibility extends into the area of social responsibility. As our clients emerge from the isolation of an eating disorder, they learn not only to embrace themselves, but to reach out to others. They learn that they can improve themselves and the world around them by shouldering their moral obligations to society. Tony Blair, former prime minister of England, said, "The only society that works today is one founded on mutual respect, on a recognition that we have a responsibility collectively and individually, to help each other on the basis of each other's equal worth. A selfish society is a contradiction in terms." He went on to say, "At the heart of my politics has always been the value of community, the belief that we are not merely individuals struggling in isolation from each other, but members of a community who depend on each other, who benefit from each other's help, who owe obligations to each other. From that everything stems: solidarity, social justice, equality, freedom." Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm sending my blessings and prayers to all of you, particularly those of you who are still suffering. Warmly,
What's the last place you'd expect to meet a Mirasol client? How about dishing up plates at a local soup kitchen? Incongruous as that may seem, Mirasol clients not only volunteer at soup kitchens, but also wrap holidays gifts for the children of battered women, and assist handicapped children at TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tucson). It's part of Mirasol's commitment to social responsibility and community service. Community service was first used in the 1960s to correct, punish or educate a young people in trouble with the law. Today about 4% of those convicted of minor crimes engage in some form of public service as an alternative to incarceration. Community service — also known as "service learning" — has also been embraced by schools for at-risk students. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) estimates that between 1984 and 1997, the number of K-12 students involved in service-learning programs rose from 900,000 to over 12 million, while the proportion of high school students participating in service-learning grew from 2 percent to 25 percent. The potential of community service to provide services not readily available in the labor force was recognized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990. But in addition to addressing challenges in areas such as conservation, education, emergency response, child care, drug use and care for elderly, youth volunteers also benefit from community service by acquiring new skills and a new appreciation for the needs of others. According to a white paper published by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, mandated community service can help juvenile-justice respondents
Most importantly, many juvenile-justice professionals see a possible correlation between effective community service, heightened civic awareness, and reduced recidivism rates.
Although her social milieu could not be more different, the young offender and the young eating disorder victim may have a shared history of sexual or physical abuse, absent or emotionally unavailable parents, along with low self-esteem and negative attitudes about self-control and discipline. Some residential treatment programs — including Mirasol — now include a community service component. It's an integral part of the recovery process at Gray Wolf Ranch, a substance abuse program for men ages 14 to 25 in Port Townshend, Washington. Volunteers work for groups like Habitat for Humanity, the Port Townsend Aero Museum, the Northwest Maritime Center, and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition. Says Program Director Woody Bernas, "The nature of addiction is to be self-centered, and the antidote is to reach out and focus on other people's needs. Volunteering in the community is one way to make a contribution." The May, 2003, issue of "Health & Social Work" featured an article entitled, "Twelve-Step Recovery and Community Service" that reported on the experiences of 33 members of a 12-step fellowship who engaged in community service as part of their recovery process. One third of the respondents claimed that community service was integral to recovery. According to one respondent, the 12-step group "encourages the concept of giving back, of sharing experience, strength, and hope. And it's a rather small step to go from sharing that on an individual basis to sharing it on a public or group basis in community service." Not all community service programs are created equal, however. According to a 2003 study by the Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, the most successful service learning programs share the following characteristics:
So if you or your daughter is struggling with an eating disorder — and dreading the approach of the holidays — consider helping yourself by being of service to others. "When you help others, you appreciate what you have and realize how blessed you are," says one Mirasol volunteer. "There's no time to feel lonely, guilty, or afraid. Plus it helps us feel like we're part of the holidays." For additional information on service learning and community service: Wild Rice PilafThe pefect compliment to your holiday dinner! 2 tbsp. olive oil Heat olive oil in a medium-sized skillet or sauté pan with a lid. Add red onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and onion is slightly browned. Add pine nuts and sesame oil, cook for 2 minutes and then add the rice. Cook three to five minutes until heated through then add the broth. Cover, lower heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Turn off when liquid is absorbed and add salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes, fluff with fork and serve. Serves 4This and other recipes developed by Mirasol's own chefs can be found in the Mirasol Cookbook available from Mercado Mirasol. |
Can community service help a young woman with an eating disorder? The typical teen anorexic or bulimic is a well-behaved overachiever — a straight "A" student with a spotless record. How could she benefit from a program designed for juvenile offenders and high school drop-outs?1-888-520-1700 or information@mirasol.net © 2009 Mirasol, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
