We started the day off with a delicious breakfast made by the sweet ladies at the convent. Then, we split up into groups. Some various tasks of the groups were: recycling, cleaning, delivering a dryer to a lady in the neighborhood, picking up trash, transporting food into the church, and meeting with some of the BuildOn high schoolers from OAR. We then ate lunch with Hope College and the high schoolers from OAR, had a break full of naps and team bonding, and headed over to Kelly Hall for the after school program.
Although we wish that everyone had the opportunity to spend time with the BuildOn kids, only a few were able to do so. The ones that did get to meet them spent time playing games, talking about bettering the community of West Humboldt Park, and making clay flower bombs for the empty lots. A lot of this time was very interesting. We got to really hear what the high schoolers thought about the community. We quickly realized that they are very aware of the problems in their community and that they want change. Those who got to talk to them realized that they simply enjoyed talking to a college student. They opened up to us about their troubles at school and the gang violence present everywhere. The high schoolers were questioning us about college, which made us excited that they are thinking about higher education!
During the morning service, the students who didn't work with the BuildOn kids were doing a clean-up project in the neighborhood. We were able to clean up the sidewalks and a few lots around the YMCA. It was a great way to interact with community members as they were outside, and it was a great feeling to know that we were bringing a new feeling to the neighborhood. There were also some students who were able to help prepare the food for the day.
Later on in the afternoon we returned to the after school program at Kelly Hall. It was great seeing the children again! None of us are ready to leave them yet! There was also a group of volunteers from a local college at Kelly Hall this afternoon. It was great getting to. Wet a drank with them about the comment and the needs they saw because of their proximity to the neighborhood. After the after school program we came back and had dinner and a meeting about food desserts (our topic that we're teaching at the high school tomorrow). After that meeting we had reflection and had a great time hanging out afterward. It was another great day in Humboldt Park for #missionreal!
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