Vera M's Senior Project Blog
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Project Title: Building Healthy Communities: One Less Pile of Trash at a Time BASIS Advisor: Marta Kozlowska Internship Location: Casa Maria Soup Kitchen Onsite Mentor: Dr. Marketa Jansky |
Project Abstract
How can effective waste management strategies improve public health, community well-being, and create a more sustainable living environment for both the unhoused and the broader community in Tucson? At Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, I have observed how much waste accumulates from when it opens at 6 a.m. to close at 11:30 a.m. Each day, as meals are passed out, discarded food containers, plastic bags, and other waste are left behind due to limited disposal options. By watching and listening to the individuals who come to Casa Maria, I have gained valuable insight into their medical issues and the challenges they face in proper disposal habits. Many unhoused individuals can not carry their waste with them and struggle with the displacement of their belongings, resulting in their waste being left behind. This project aims to provide informative insights on available resources and effective ways to manage waste in the city while spreading awareness about Casa Maria. Through my observations, I have identified potential solutions, with a major one being gathering more volunteers to form bigger and better clean-up crews, and collaborating with local organizations to implement waste collection efforts in areas with high unhoused populations. A better waste management system will not only keep the environment cleaner but also encourage more community involvement and awareness about public health in Tucson.
Building Communities: It is the end!
As this project comes to a close, I just want to say how truly grateful I am for the experience. Working with Casa Maria, connecting with the unhoused community, and creating something that I genuinely care about has been more fulfilling than I ever imagined. I’ve learned so much—not just about the issues, but about... Read More
Building Communities: Final Touches
Hello everyone! Welcome back to one of my last blogs! This one truly has me tearing up after I spent the last few months interning with the best doctor and people. Working at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, meeting so many incredible people, and helping the unhoused community has left a permanent mark on my heart.... Read More
Building Communities: Working Out The Details
This week, I started thinking of all my final details and how I want to finish up my project. I am working on finishing up my brochure. This project began as a simple idea to highlight the issue of trash buildup in areas where unhoused people live, but it became so much more personal along... Read More
Building Communities: Keep On Pushing
Hello everyone! This week has been very calm. I have no significant updates, as I am still interning at the clinic, working on my project, and helping out the most I can. However, even after my project is finished, I want to keep this project and idea alive, so that more people can get involved... Read More
Building Communities: Working Towards a Unified End Goal
This week at Casa Maria has been both productive and meaningful. I continued helping out by supporting the team, interacting with the unhoused community, and doing some additional research to strengthen my understanding of their issues, especially around access to resources and waste management. I also continued perfecting my brochure and began planning my presentation... Read More
Buliding Communities: Connecting and Learning
Hello everyone! Welcome back! Working with my team at Casa Maria has been an incredible and humbling experience. We’ve been learning so much about the realities faced by underserved communities, especially regarding issues like waste management and limited access to basic resources. The trash situation around the area clearly reflects the lack of city support,... Read More
Building Communities: Planning my next few steps
Welcome back everyone with a new update. This week I have spent planning and thinking about what I should do moving forward with my project. I have been considering what my final project will be and what it will look like. Additionally, I have been gathering information about what I want to spread awareness about... Read More
Building Communities: A Quick Break
Hello everyone! This week I am in Durango, Colorado with my family and friends! I will be back with an update related to my project and research next week! Read More
Building Communities: Spreading awareness
Welcome back, everyone! Here is my weekly blog with some useful information for you all! This week, I focused on figuring out how I want to structure my final project. I have decided on an informative brochure that will help inform people about what Casa Maria Soup Kitchen does, and how to help out... Read More
Building Communities: Planning my next few steps
Welcome back everyone with a new update. This week I have spent planning and thinking about what I should do moving forward with my project. I have been considering what my final project will be and what it will look like. Additionally, I have been gathering information about what I want to spread awareness about... Read More
Building Communities: Research, Research, And More Research
This week was successful, yet challenging. Since the doctor I usually shadow was out on a well-deserved vacation, one of her coworkers suggested I spend time observing the trash levels and overall conditions at another meal distribution center where many unhoused individuals gather. While there, I had the opportunity to see how the community interacts,... Read More
Building Communities: Getting Started
Welcome back, everyone! This Tuesday, February 11th, I visited the Soup Kitchen for the first time to meet the staff, get familiar with the environment, and work with Dr. Jansky to finalize the details of my project. Initially, my plan was to interview unhoused individuals to gain firsthand insight into their experiences with waste disposal.... Read More
Building Communities: Introduction
Hello, my name is Vera Maric, and I am a senior at BASIS Tucson North. My senior project revolves around observing and documenting the patterns of trash disposal in areas where unhoused individuals live and identifying practical waste management solutions that balance environmental cleanliness with social responsibility. By integrating proper disposal processes, assessing the availability... Read More
Building Communities: Getting Started
Hello, my name is Vera Maric, and I am a senior at BASIS Tucson North. My senior project revolves around observing and documenting the patterns of trash disposal in areas where unhoused individuals live and identifying practical waste management solutions that balance environmental cleanliness with social responsibility. By integrating proper disposal processes, assessing the availability... Read More