This was my 1st experience being in NYC on September 11th and it was a powerful one.
The day started off less than wonderful with a consistent rain that soon escalated to a full blown storm once me, nicole and angie left the house to begin our day of community service.
City Year decided that since September 11th was deemed that national service day it would be appropriate for this to be our first day of actual service.
My group met in long island city,queens and volunteered our time at a rehabilitation house for incarcerated women who have recently been let out of jail.
The vast majority of these women have given birth to children while in jail and need some extra support and stability to get back on their feet dealing with life behind the other side of the bars.
Our group painted the entire interior of a house where 10 families reside from a un charming violet to a plain non exciting off white.
Although i would have definitely choose a more exciting, charming color i can honestly say i am very proud of the work we did that day. At first i felt as if we were being somewhat invasive to these peoples home, i mean 19 young yippy adults in your attempting to re-renivate my kitchen would scary me a little too.
Some of the looks of the residents were of weariness, uneasiness as they passed on guard. But soon i think they began let go of some of the serious looks as they began to realize that we are there to try and help them
beautify their living spaces
My shoes, jeans, hair got dirty beyond belief but to reflect that this is someones house and lifestyle that we are helping and improving, made my
paint spots temporarily disappear into proud spots of honor.
i am glad i got to be apart of that service and am genuinely excited to see what city year dishes up in these next 10 months!
APARTMENT pictures are soon to come!! be on the look out :)
ALOHA & ONE LOVE
