Ministry, Mirlitons & Muffalatas

Ministry
This week, I was assigned a couple of clients in need of housing who I will provide case management for and hopefully help to find housing. There certainly seems to be a lack of resources at least that are easily accessible for people. I have felt at least a little productive when doing presentations at our morning staff meetings about outreach to the homeless on the street based on a curriculum I found on line and on basic social work skills. I also, went out on the van a few times this week to do outreach to those on the street.

Being here, has given me an appreciation for the shelter system and services we have in Philadelphia. Several people told me that they heard that Philadelphia is one of the model cities in serving chronically homeless. At first, I responded with skepticism ready to complain about the system, aware that there are still many homeless people in Philadelphia, the lack of affordable housing, and the complaints I heard from clients in emergency shelters. Now, after working in New Orleans for two weeks, and especially the other day when I could not locate a shelter that had space for a single woman, I wish that the City of New Orleans would have an office like Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Shelter and Services where I could always refer people to for emergency shelter knowing it would be provided that very night if they needed it. It is interesting how being away gives me a different perspective and increases my appreciation for services I once took for granted, and assumed every city had.


Mirlitons & Muffalatas
Whether while riding in the van in between clients, at a monthly staff meeting held at the programs' main office, or with the sisters, conversations in New Orleans frequently seems to be about food. When, I shared this perception with the sisters; I was told that food is an important part of New Orleans culture and that people here really do talk about food, a lot.

One day I noticed something sitting in a dish on the kitchen counter.
I asked, "is that at pear?"
"No; it is not a pear," replied the sister in charge of cooking, with a smile.
"Is it some type of avocado?" My next best guess!
"It's not an avocado. It's a mirliton." The first "i" is pronounced more like a short "e" and the "r" is silent. {There is a surprising yet striking commonality between the languages spoken in New Orleans and Rhode Island having to do with ignoring the letter r, especially in the middle or end of a word.} Of all of the novel foods I have tired in New Orleans, I think the mirliton is my favorite; and probably the healthiest as well. I'm not sure if it is considered a fruit or a vegetable, but I was told that it grows on a vine.
Today I attended the 2006 Mirliton Festival which is held only a few blocks from here. The festival really gave me a taste of the culture of the neighborhood, which consists of many talented artists and musicians. There was no festival last year; Katrina canceled it. Just as the storm has an impact on the neighborhood some of the crafts being sold and the bands playing were obviously influenced by the hurricane. It was wonderful to see so many people really enjoying themselves and having such a great time.

The other day, one of the sisters suggested I try a muffalata insisting they were very good. She tried to entice me, by telling me that it is a sandwich which has everything on it except the kitchen sink; although I did not find that description particularly appetizing I took one graciously. It was on a round roll but contained ingredients similar to a Rhode Island grinder or a Philadelphia hoagie as well as several green olives. It was edible, but not really worth writing home about; although I suppose that is what I am doing right now.

I attribute the reality that much of this blog entry is food focused to the influence of the culture of New Orleans.

I think I may have fixed the comment options; a few people mentioned that they tired to post a comment that never went through. Please let me know if it continues. Thanks.

Take care. Greetings from the sisters here to the sisters there.