If you ask any NEWARK ACTS Intern which word they hear the most from our program directors, I think we'd all say it's, "community." As participants of this program we agreed to live in a community with our fellow interns, meaning we share common spaces, house dinners and worships, and participate in other activities with the individuals in our house. I must say our house has been doing a tremendous job of getting together for various activities (dinners, worship, recreational, community service etc). It's been a great 2 months so far and I truly feel as though our house was meant to be. When we get together, it isn't forced; we always just end up together. Yucleidis mentioned it in her blog and I feel the same. When I first agreed to come here I wasn't sure who I was living with and if I would get along with them but I've been blessed with 3 wonderful roommates and I'm glad they are here especially with the happenings of last week.
During hard times, helping hands are most needed and last week I saw strangers gather to help/restore their city, All Saints families offer their homes for others and the school, and my house pull together to survive Hurricane Sandy. We didn't suffer much but I'm sure it took a lot of emotional strength to survive a whole week of cabin fever. The concept of community has been repeated many times to us in the past two months and in the past week I've remembered why it's so important. When you invest in something you take so much more pride in it and work so much harder to keep it going. You can live somewhere your whole life and never truly feel like you've belonged, much like how I feel with my hometown. I've come to realize it's because I invested nothing in that city. I have no ties to anything in my hometown. I never put any effort into the community. I'm happy to say that that is not the case here in New Jersey. The Giraffe House is my home away from home, my house mates are like my family, and Union City & Hoboken have their places in my heart.
My heart goes out to the many individuals and families devasted by the hurricane. As lives are rebuilt, know that you truly do find strength in your moments of weakness. May tomorrow be a brighter day.
Ker
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