ABCs Day Six: The Rebuilding Center, Opportunities Fair

I'm at a loss for words now because there are no words in the English language that can describe the incredible people I've met here at the Portland ABCs. That said, as sad as I am about about the ABCs drawing to a close, I feel empowered. I know that the relationships that I established will continue and sustain into the future, and I also know that I have a network of support all around the United States. I understand the idea that "with dreams come responsibilities."

I really liked going to the Rebuilding Center today and seeing how their work impacts the Portland Community. I felt strangely at home in the large warehouse full of lumber, windows, doors, drawers, chandeliers, and a boggling number of miscellaneous shelves. Our first task was to sort through and reorganize sections in the lumber area, which I did with Eddie, Jarod, and Matt. I felt content as I usually do when I'm busy and getting dirty while volunteering. Sam, the Americorps volunteer, showed us around the center and gave us a great overview about the projects going on in the center. The center shares a unique relationship with the surrounding neighborhood, and makes me wonder whether the same kind of salvaging center, if implemented in Los Angeles or some other city, would be as successful. We've learned all this week about how Portland is the model "green" city for the United States, and I wonder if the system works only in Portland because of the unique "ingredients" this city has, or if the same sort of center could be recreated and adapted to work successfully in another U.S. metropolis. Either way, working at the Rebuilding Center was another great way to finish off a week of strong direct service, and was another experience that enriched my entire week here about learning to act as a steward to the environment. The education component of this trip was OUTSTANDING in every way, from the articles, videos, speakers, and the direct connection to the service we were doing. It makes me want to cultivate the same in my AB program at UCSD.

Service was followed by a couple of workshops on Recruitment/Selections and also on Site Development. I'm excited to work with the AB national trips this year, one which will definitely focus on environmental issues, the other which will focus on the same or possibly different issue. Like I mentioned before, learning about the incredible national trips other universities have arranged really motivates me to become a site leader in the near future, perhaps after my first year as a coordinator.

Shortly afterwards we had the Opportunities Fair and Community Dinner. I got to speak with several nature conservancy groups based in Portland and I'm excited to share the materials with the national trip site leaders this year. I even spoke to the CCS representative, who was also at the meeting, and even found myself asking her about issue-specific work at international host sites. They have to constantly balance between providing authentic volunteer experiences while at the same time, ensuring the safety and security of all participants. I understand more and more about the challenges other universities face when setting up international volunteering trips, and wonder how we can provide more meaningful education opportunities for our AB participants next year.

Surprise night was hilarious, where all groups put together a skit, and the Breakaway staff created their own on-the-fly skit as rebuttal. I'm amazed at the talent and the mutual fun-loving that we all have here at the Portland ABCs!

Our group got together again for our last night of reflection. I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow! Like I mentioned before, words cannot do justice. But I'll finish off this blog today by sharing with you what Justin said tonight, which was thanking everyone for reaffirming faith in people. I echo the same thoughts too. I've been so inspired by the integrity and the passion of everyone at the ABCs that it has reaffirmed my faith in people, and also in myself. Our Green Geese Group will create a listserv to keep one another updated and reconnect. It's been such an honor to work with a group of people who I think will truly change the world with their gifts and compassion for humanity. I want to bring this energy to my campus and also into my life to establish my own, unique, large or small way in which I will make a difference.