NOSC gives back to the community

"We work in the soup kitchen at the New Life Rescue Mission, tutor kids at Brentwood Elementary School and support Adopt-a-Highway," said YN1 Yvette Cooper, volunteer coordinator for the NOSC. "Every year, we also participate in Paint the Town, which is a program that helps elderly people spruce up their homes."

YN3 Melissa Robinson is one of the volunteers who visits the rescue mission. "We began coming to the mission a few months ago and we try to go twice a month. While there, we do the food service, making plates for the people and then once everyone is served, we sit down and interact with them," she said.

Of the types of people Robinson meets there she said, "it's a mission outreach center and some of the people live there, but some come in off the street as well. There are those who don't want to be bothered, but most of them seem to really enjoy seeing the young people come in and donate their time. One person I talked to is former military so we share a lot of our experiences about the military and school. A lot of them preach, 'you know I messed up, but you need to stay straight,'" said Robinson.

YN1 Yvette Cooper sits with Nicholas Thomas at the New Life Rescue Mission May 5. Cooper and other Sailors from the Navy Operational Support Center visit the mission twice a month as part of their volunteer effort.

Derrick Ervin is one of those in the program at the rescue mission. "I ended up here after getting out of the Army in 2005. I was shot in Iraq, so I had to get out and then I got into drugs," he said. "I have a wife and children so I am here, seeking God and trying to get my life on track." Ervin is one of several men at the mission who have served in the military. Charles Wells was a boatswain's mate in the Navy during the late 70's. "After getting out of the Navy, I became a drifter, going from one place to another but never staying very long. I've been in Jacksonville for a few years now and I'm trying to get into ministry. The mission is helping me get there."

During their bi-monthly visits to the mission, NOSC personnel bring along some of the reservists who drill there. SN Xelinka Delgardo is one of those reservists who joined them on their most recent visit. "This is much more rewarding than the normal drill weekend. I actually had two uncles who went through a similar program as these people, so it's really special for me to be here," she said.

YN2 Detrich Crumitie tutors fifth graders at Brentwood Elementary. "We try to go there every Thursday for an hour. I help them with their assignments such as math, science, social studies, whatever they need. We go over their homework with them to make sure it's correct," she said. "I've even gone on field trips with them."

She described how the students affect her. "When one of the kids has a birthday, I bring in gifts and they draw me pictures. The kids like to ask about my uniform and what certain ribbons mean. I tell them about the places I've been to and get to see their faces light up during those stories. I'm looking forward to these next few weeks to see what the students' plans are for the summer. I recommend this to anyone. It's a good experience and I love doing it."

Cooper mirrored her comments saying, "It's a great cause, we meet good people and it's a way for us to give back and bond with the community."