The “Urban Plunge”

One of the activities that I lead with City Service Mission is called the Urban Plunge. This activity is centered around the general idea of food insecurity and the food deserts in not only Washington D.C. but also wherever in the country the visiting group is coming from. The plunge involves bringing the group to Lincoln Park in Capitol Hill and explaining to them the causes and effects of food deserts. After providing context to the activity’s purpose, the group is let loose to go and locate the nearest grocery stores and create a budget based on a hypothetical family who has a household income below the federal poverty line. This is an opportunity for the students to experience a small taste of what it is like to live with food insecurity and begin to think more about how they might play a role in influencing the larger conversation surrounding the issue.

Race and Servitude

During the plunge, a parallel lesson to that of food insecurity is on the matter of race in the district. Lincoln Park is a popular location for nannies to take their kids during the day to get out of the house. These nannies are almost always women of color and the children they look after are almost always white children. This is a great indicator of who lives in the neighborhood of Capitol Hill and who the servants of these residents are. I use the word “servant” intentionally. The town homes in this area are valued at 1.5 – 2.5 million dollars, and it is very obvious that it is a majority white neighborhood, with people of color coming in from surrounding areas to provide services like child-care, house-cleaning, construction, landscaping, etc. As the groups go out and participate in the simulation of the urban plunge, they also take note of the very real racial divide that is ever present in the city. Once they come back to the park after spending time on their own in the city, we have a discussion about it, ultimately identifying that segregation, both physically and socioeconomically, is still a thriving problem in the district as well as other places throughout the country.

Exclusive Inclusivity

Washington D.C. is split almost perfectly down the middle in terms of where different races live throughout the city and in the neighborhoods surrounding it in Maryland and Virginia. While this is something I have been aware of for quite some time, leading groups in the urban plunge has brought this reality to the front of my mind. While the groups are out doing the activity, I get a couple hours to go around the neighborhood, usually to a coffee shop, and each time it has become more prevalent to me that I am often one of two people of color in the establishment, the other being behind the counter. The irony of this is that neighborhoods that have been gentrified in D.C. often wish to send a welcoming message to others by promoting images of inclusivity in their neighborhoods. This includes posting signs like “Black Lives Matter” “All Are Welcome” “LGBTQ Pride” etc. in their yards and windows, but the subliminal messages people, children, receive in these areas is that people of color are the ones who are meant to “do the work for us here but live with them over there.”

What do We Learn?

While this is personally challenging, aggravating, and discouraging, leading the urban plunge provides a great opportunity to talk about the issues of food insecurity, gentrification, segregation, and NIMBYism (Not-In-My-Back-Yard-ism) with kids and adults who otherwise may never have seen the reality of such things. It is always very encouraging to hear the students talk about how the experience has impacted them afterwards, and I hope to continue spreading that message as I continue in this line of work.

– Fox Wilmot, City. Service. Mission.

Stepping into the world of music as a social work major with an art minor at Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) was an intimidating yet transformative experience. Among the many incredible aspects of LSM, my involvement in the chapel choir stood out as a profound journey of self-discovery, connection, and spiritual growth. Reflecting on my time in the choir and the daily morning and evening prayer rituals, I am reminded of the transformative power of music and prayer within a supportive community.

The chapel choir at LSM became more than just a group of individuals singing together; it evolved into a supportive community that embraced me with open arms. Despite my initial insecurities about not having extensive musical knowledge or the ability to read music, the choir members and our dedicated choir director fostered an environment of acceptance, encouragement, and unity. Together, we created something beautiful through our collective voices, transcending our individual limitations. The chantor said in my first chapel choir rehearsal, “This is practice; you’re supposed to make mistakes. So make them loudly and make them proudly.” These words have resonated with me ever since, reminding me that the journey of learning and growth is meant to be embraced with enthusiasm and courage.

In the chapel choir, I discovered a safe space where my limited knowledge of music did not define my worth but rather served as an opportunity for growth and learning. The moments of shared devotion and love for God through music were incredibly powerful. As we sang hymns and joined our voices in harmony, the chapel became a sacred space where I experienced a deep connection to something greater than myself. The power of music intertwined with prayer and readings from the Bible created a profound sense of spirituality, evoking a range of emotions, and providing a channel for expressing reverence and gratitude to God.

Participating in morning and evening prayer sessions within the LSM community cultivated a unique sense of togetherness and shared devotion. Daily, individuals from diverse backgrounds and musical abilities united in a collective expression of faith. These moments of communal connection remind me that spirituality is not solely an individual pursuit but a shared journey of seeking connection with God and one another. The regularity of these prayer rituals created a consistent and intentional space for reflection, centering, and connecting with the divine. In the morning’s boosting of energy and the evening’s reflective serenity, I found solace, guidance, and grounding amidst the vibrant energy of LSM.

Morning and evening prayer became spaces for introspection, enabling me to quiet my mind, reflect on my experiences, and explore the depths of my spirituality. The contemplative silence, guided readings, and hymns allowed for moments of profound self-reflection and personal growth. These sacred pauses amidst the bustling program enabled me to delve deeper into the questions and yearnings that reside within my heart.

As my time at LSM ends, I carry the transformative experiences and lessons learned in the chapel choir and through morning and evening prayer. This journey has taught me the transformative potential of music and prayer in nurturing spirituality, the power of community and shared devotion, also the beauty of embracing vulnerability. The chapel choir and prayer sessions have become integral parts of my personal and spiritual growth, encouraging me to continue exploring the depths of my faith and embracing the transformative power of music and prayer in all aspects of my life.

– Erica Castillo, Lutheran Summer Music

As I come to the conclusion of my time as a CAPS Fellow with Community Renewal Society, I find myself reflecting on how I have grown and developed through my experiences as a Communications and Development intern. While this summer has certainly gone by fast, it has been a delight to learn about various macro-level and policy approaches for tackling the connections between racism and poverty, participate in webinars on engaging members of a congregation and building a valued donor base, aid in launching the new CRS website, and celebrate the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act in Illinois. Most notably, it has been incredibly educational and rewarding to witness the elimination of cash money bond, a crucial part of the prison industrial complex that furthers racial and economic disparities for individuals presumed to be innocent. Despite the time it has taken to recognize the value of eliminating this inequitable and unjust system, the hard work of the Coalition to End Money Bond, the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, and CRS’s own policy and organizing team remind me of the importance of celebrating the little wins in the larger pursuit for healing justice and social change.

One of the most enjoyable and exciting things this summer has been the writing and publishing of a three-part series featured on CRS’s blog. In particular, I had the opportunity to share my experience as a facilitator for the 2023 Kansha Project through the Japanese American Citizen’s League (JACL) of Chicago. The Kansha Project is a program that was established in 2011 with the aim of connecting self-identified Japanese Americans aged between 18 and 25 from the Midwest to their identity, history, and community. Participants are given the opportunity to partake in an immersive educational trip to Los Angeles’ historic Little Tokyo neighborhood and Manzanar National Historic Site, where they engage in an in-depth examination of the WWII confinement site experience. Through this writing opportunity, I was able to reflect on the striking similarities between the modern-day movement for reparations towards descendants of slavery compared to the redress movement for survivors of the World War II Japanese American Concentration Camps. If interested, you can read all three parts of my blog article series here, on the new Community Renewal Society website!

In addition to writing about my time as a facilitator for the Kansha Project, I have had the joy of speaking on the sentiments of legacy, gratitude, and remembrance. In particular, it was incredibly moving to reflect on the experiences of my ancestors and compare them to the modern-day struggle against anti-Asian sentiment, unjust policing practices, and the need for economic restitution for other marginalized communities. Through this internship, I feel that I am now able to see myself as an advocate for social justice through my enhanced understanding of historical context and the effect it has on shaping public policy. Moving forward, I hope to bring with me the focus of building a Beloved Community where all of God’s children can flourish in my developing and evolving career as a social worker.

– Katie Hill, Community Renewal Society

Through the Chicago Reporter, I had the chance to pursue my passion project on gun violence. Last week, I had a meaningful interview with Kweisi, who tragically lost his brother to gun violence years ago. Kweisi, a poet and advocate, strongly believes in healing through his poetry and the concept of forgiveness. He believes the only way to heal is to grow and forgive. When he shared his story with me, I was struck by the profound strength he possesses to navigate a world filled with cruelty, his determination to prevent similar situations and aid others in healing from their traumas is truly inspiring. My current aspiration is to bring Kweisi’s story to the forefront and shine a spotlight on the significant issue that the Chicago community and the entire country is grappling with. The issue is the absence of adequate checks and balances for gun control and the mishandling of trauma. Through sharing Kweisi’s experiences, I aim to raise awareness about the pressing need for comprehensive gun control measures and more robust mental health support systems. The story serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of lax regulations and insufficient attention to mental health challenges. Through this project, I hope to ignite meaningful conversations and prompt action among policymakers, communities, and individuals mainly in the Chicago community. In the pursuit of a safer and healthier society, sharing these narratives is a crucial step in fostering empathy, understanding, and collective responsibility toward building a better future for everyone.

Listening to Kweisi’s story drove me to research additional similar experiences and to compare how each person dealt with their own struggles. For me, the most rewarding aspect of my work is engaging with diverse perspectives and listening to the profound and traumatic stories people share. This engagement enables me to provide comfort, respect, and genuine compassion, while also conveying their stories to the world, hoping to make a meaningful impact.

This fellowship experience has helped me practice my interviewing skills and allowed me to see that there is always room for further improvement, regardless of my proficiency in the English language. I have learned that language proficiency is an ongoing journey, and there is always room for growth. Another crucial lesson I discovered is that no matter where my future career path is headed, I must work twice as hard, push myself, and always expect challenges along the way because I am still learning. It is important to remember that the key is to remain diligent and committed to constant learning. As I move forward, I embrace the idea that continuous improvement is essential not only for professional development but also for personal growth. It is a mindset that encourages me to embrace new challenges and seek out opportunities that stretch my abilities. Moreover, I have come to realize the significance of acknowledging that I am still on a learning journey. Embracing this mindset allows me to approach every situation with a willingness to learn from others, no matter their background or expertise. The Chicago Reporter continues to expand my mind even though there is not much time left as I am stepping through the final last weeks’ I hope to maintain my work and use my passion through this project to bring something important that can influence others and assist this organization with the inspirational stories it delivers. This fellowship has been a transformative experience that has highlighted the importance of continuous improvement, hard work, and resilience for me.

– Nour Alhajjeh, The Chicago Reporter