New Orleans and Emily's Speech

(We Recycle! Summer camp students with a truck load of bottles, cans, and paper before Cortez and I took it to the recycle center)

Hello, sorry for the lack in updates. Summer camp ended and we have had 2 weeks before after school program begins. Last week Emily and I headed down to New Orleans for a 3-night getaway in the big easy. We booked a room downtown for really cheap and enjoyed a few days of relaxation. Down in the south there is a hotel chain called Drury Inns. They pride themselves in high quality service and cheap rates. They give you free full breakfast every morning as well as 3 complimentary beverages every evening. Needless to say they won my heart. Emily enjoyed the rooftop hot tub and pool despite the 100-degree heat. I guess I can’t really complain about the heat down here right now since most of you have experienced it yourselves around the country over the past few weeks. We took time to check out the lower ninth ward and St. Bernard’s parish where the flooding was in some places over 10 feet. It’s like driving through a war zone. Houses on top of cars and piles of trash everywhere. To see the devastation up close helps you to understand how long this rebuilding process is going to take. We drove right up to where the levies broke in the 9th ward and for about 4 blocks in everything has been bulldozed. Every few blocks you come upon someone or a family that is living in the devastation via a FEMA trailer in the front yard as they rebuild their home. You also pass by little cities of FEMA trailers all crammed into parking lots where people are living as they rebuild or wait for more options. Wallmart has become the community center for most. It seems that federal programs are setting up there to offer assistance because with all of the local business’s wiped out that’s where people go to get every thing they need.

Downtown the effects are less evident. The touristy French Quarter is thriving and businessmen walk the streets of the business district. The Saints almost have the super dome ready and refurbished. They have sold a massive amount of season tickets thanks to acquiring the star USC running back Reggie Bush in the NFL draft.
One day while walking through the square in the middle of the French quarter we witnessed some New Orleans police officers approaching a man who was sleeping in the park. They went over with their clubs in hand and began tapping on his foot. The man awoke and appeared to us to be cooperative but the police didn’t see it that way. Right before our very eyes we saw the cops get violent. They jerked him up and threw him onto his stomach then one threw his knee into the guys back. They then preceded to hand cuff and arrest him. Emily and I looked around the park for signs that prohibited sleeping on the grass but couldn’t find any. We walked over to the police van where the man was being detained and Emily, with the officers looking on, recorded the vehicle number and phone number. She called in and filed a report and the detective took it very seriously saying that she would, “ Personally look into the issues and get to the bottom of it.” A few days ago Emily got a call from the N.O. police saying that an investigation had begun.
This incident reminded me of the power have as citizens. I think most of the time I would be lazy and even though I thought what the officers had done to the man in the park was wrong, I wouldn’t do anything about it. Emily was determined though and maybe a difference will be made through her reporting of this incident.


Speaking of Emily’s awesomeness. I’m not sure if all of you heard that she was named Americorps member of the year for her program. She was asked to give a speech at the statewide closing luncheon and graduation. I will attach a transcript of her speech at the end of this long blog. Great job Emily!!!!



In other news the summer program ended with an amazing closing program. Many people who have been seeing these programs every summer for years and years told me it was the best they had seen. The amazing thing about it was that the kids did it. We guided them and helped them learn their dances and songs but on the night of the performance it was all them and they did an amazing job. I think it was moving for the parents to see their children involved in something beautiful. I edited a video and slideshow that we showed on the big screen and the kids again loved seeing themselves. It was a great ending to a great summer camp. Our CEO, Elizabeth surprised Emily and I with awards at the end of the night. She got emotional as she spoke of her appreciation for us. The whole night made us feel pretty good about all sweat and love we poured into the program.

This week we have been out in the neighborhood passing out flyers and spreading the news about our after school program which begins on Monday. We are expecting 27 students on Monday and the applications are still coming in. Here we go again!
Stay cool friends

Idaho and Oregon, heading your way at the end of the month.

Johnny




Emily's Speech-------------------------------------------------

Good Morning!

Well, what a year!!! I’m tired—is anyone else tired? Tired but energized.
For me this year in AmeriCorps has been
CHALLENGING, STRETCHING, EXHAUSTING, & JOYFUL.

I’ve learned so much about leadership and teaching.
But something I continue to be reminded of,
Is that you get out of Americorps
what you put into it.

If you put in your time
you’ll get a paycheck…….. a SMALL paycheck, but a paycheck.
But if you put in your heart
What you’ll receive in return is unlimited.

It’s not always easy to invest our energy, passion, love, and sweat into young people,
But it IS worth it.
The joy and meaning, and the growth, we experience in the process--is priceless.



After giving your heart to children,
it doesn’t take long to realize that by giving and serving others
we find real joy and true life.
What a crazy concept!!!
Especially in a society that constantly tells us to serve ourselves.

There’s a quote on my wall by Annie Dillard that reads:
“How we spend our days is how we spend our lives”
As simple as that quote is, it continues to challenge me to LIVE everyday.

If we’re floating through life, living for the weekends--
Then something isn’t right.
That’s NOT how life was intended to be.
That’s just existing.
If we’re putting off life until we finish school,
Or until we get that dream job, or home…….or man--
Then we are missing out of life NOW.

Sharing our lives with the youth in our community is the smartest investment we can make.
They’re the future,
and will ideally grow strong, discover the world, then come back to our community to invest in the next generation

A bumper sticker on my car,
says that “GIVING IS LIVING.”
That always sounded cool to me, but this past year has taught me that it’s true.
The real secret is that in giving, we actually receive too.

So after AmeriCorps, I’m going to take this service mentality with me.
It’s more than a job to me now--
It’s a lifestyle.
The growth and lessons I’ve experienced this year, don’t end here-
But instead, are a platform to a future of service.

So remember! We get out of life, what we put into it

THANK YOU & CONGRATULATIONS!
(Go JSU!)