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| Story Rd and Keyes... Across the street from Happy Hollow |
The name of my blog was meant as a satire... a hyperbole and in some aspects of my life true-ish...
BUT this weekend, I can't tolerate jokes, (not even my own) not after what I saw, literally in San Jose's backyard.
Here's the back-story: In college I discovered my calling in life and that was to give back to my community. "Pay it forward"
I grew up in East Side San Jose, in what ignorant folks like to call the "ghetto." I grew up knowing that my neighborhood wasn't an ideal place but I was raised to have respect for myself and my surroundings. And I have always accredited my family to my successes. But another major influence in my life were my teachers and the many after-school and summer programs I attended.
As a young adult in college, I realized that I wanted to be a part of having the same effect on someone's life. I understand that my life could have easily gone in another direction if it hadn't been for the many positive influences I had growing up.
So... I have dedicated my 20's to working with youth and very-low income families. Understanding that poverty exists in the United States and making an indirect effort to end the cycle of poverty. Hardly being concerned with how much money I make and more concerned with how much of I difference I am making in this world.
And then I met a man, my hubby to be, +Victor Ngo who has a huge heart and whole heartedly believes he would like to make the world a better place- he wants to leave a footprint of substance, that is meaningful, in this lifetime.
And this past week, he sent me a video News from NBC News Feature and my mind was blown.
BUT what did I get from the video: That I didn't want to go because I was afraid of "hazardous material" I put it in quotations because I was looking to get out of this in any way possible because I wanted to go shopping on my Friday afternoon...
BUT I went after some cajoling from my love... AND it was eye opening! It was rejuvenating! It woke up my spirit! The Holy Spirit spoke to me... God showed himself to me that day because for Lent I gave up complaining and I did ok-ish... But after this, God reminded me why I chose to give up complaining... Because it's complete nonsense when you have a roof over your head and food in the fridge!
It felt like I was entering another universe, another country; I couldn't believe that I was in America. I have been to developing countries and that's what this community felt like... A complete mind boggling experience.
It broke my heart to see families with youth, at the age that I usually work with... People with no where else to go or to turn to due to different circumstances and the city rather than help this community would rather discard them.
And I get it. The city can only do so much (cough-cough) BUT they shouldn't inhibit other folks that are trying their best and leading with their hearts to help their fellow human beings...
I could continue to bish but I'd rather focus on the positive...
The man in the video said it best, we can help other countries but the help is needed right here in our backyard...
Thanks to my Babo, a passion that had dwindled or had gotten distracted by other things in life, was brought back to focus and I want to come up with a way to help this marginalized community by working with folks that have been doing their part already...
I hope that at the end of this post I can inspire folks to visit "The Jungle" all within safe parameters and contact Angie Niemann: Program Creator at 408--204-5795; visit their facebook page at C.A.R.E. Outreach Program and there's another group, "Sandwhiches of Love" that give out sandwhiches every Sunday... (I think God would be ok with me missing church...)
So we'll see and I will update this info through FB. If y'all would like to contribute to either effort let me know at lillyperez85@gmail.com and we can figure something out.
'Til next Tuesday,
Toodles
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