Giving Thanks

Today marks the last day I serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Project SHINE. Reflecting on my experiences with the organization and community, I find it very fitting that I am ending my VISTA term a week before our country nationally recognizes the need to take the time to offer thanks for that which we have in our lives. For me, the concept of gratefulness only begins to describe how honored I feel having worked with the communities and volunteers involved with Project SHINE. Trite as it may sound, I believe that any measurable contribution I gave to the community cannot match how much I gained from my time with Project SHINE and especially the communities SHINE serves.

There are many moments which bring me pride and joy from my time as a VISTA. Working with the Tyler Art School and Community Learning Network at Temple University on the Immigrant Voices exhibit, managing the Tai Chi program with the Chinese and Latino elders from Coffee Cup Senior Center and students from the Department of Critical Languages, and running the Immigration Awareness Movie Series to draw awareness to immigration issues of today are some of my favorite projects. Making immigration an open and accessible topic in these ways, I truly believe, allows us all to see immigrants as people, not problems and immigration as an issue that affects us all. Thich Nhat Hanh once said, "we are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness," and I very much frame my understanding of this experience and the knowledge I have gained from that concept.

Looking back, my most cherished memories are from the occasions in which I was able to interact with the remarkable community members SHINE with whom SHINE works. The look in one learner's eyes when he finally understood the difference between a "d' and a "b" is an expression I will never forget. The tenderness and appreciation on another learner's face when he articulated his love for America and why he wanted to gain his United States citizenship, too, is ingrained in my memory. By that same token, the depth of pain of a female refugee who shared how she held her child as he starved to death in a refugee camp is not something I will ever allow myself to forget. While I will never fully understand what she feels, I carry her story with me and will do my very best to ensure that fewer women will suffer as she suffered.

These are just some of the many stories and memories I came to experience during my time at SHINE, and every single day I marveled at the strength of the spirits of those immigrants and refugees who had been through more struggle in one day than many of us can imagine in a lifetime; yet, somehow they are able to see the good in the world.

I would be entirely remiss without recognizing the terrific, passionate, and eager volunteers who dedicate their time to the communities SHINE serves. Their efforts and energy regularly re-invigorated and reminded me why I also chose to volunteer in the first place. Each and every one of them are incredible; and simply put, SHINE would not be SHINE without them.

It is with a heart fully of love and respect that I offer my deepest gratitude for those who shared their stories and lives with me over this past year. Because of them, I am a better person than I was a year ago; because of them, I am forever changed. Thank you.