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Cesar Chavez/ Delores Huerta Day
By Chris Corrigan
"When you have people together who believe in something very strongly…things happen." -Cesar Chavez
This quote stuck in my mind all day on March 31 as the upper school went out into the neighborhood to engage, interact with and effect change in our community. Whether it was 8th graders preparing material for an art project at the UCSF Cancer Center or the 5th graders doing a trash walk, Day School students spent their time looking beyond the walls of our school and addressing issues here in the neighborhood.
Although the initial goal of setting aside time to do community service was simply to reach out and do some good work around our neighborhood, something even greater happened. Reflecting on the 7th grade project of making bag lunches and distributing them in Golden Gate Park, students often mentioned the connections they made with people. “It was good to see the thanking faces of the recipients…
Later, when we played three flies up, one of the people came up and asked if he can throw the ball and play with us. So he came into the game. On any given day, I wouldn’t have done this, but there was such a welcome feeling all around.” |
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Cynics may look at this and see another paternalistic example of the haves reaching down to the have-nots, but they would miss the point This was more than just a replay of the “us helping them” scenario. This was an exercise in building understanding. I can’t help but think that this student will see those less fortunate with different eyes—eyes that recognize our common humanity
Cindy Perliss, the director of Art for Recovery at UCSF, came and worked with the 8th grade. While here, she expressed thanks for the students’ work and was impressed by their enthusiasm. A few days later we spoke again, and she too touched on the idea of making connections. “I believe in community. I like bringing people together to bond, create friendships and understand each other – to come together to create something for the good of the community. Watching these students come together to expand their community, find empathy and compassion touched me deeply.”
I feel that this sense of connection should be at the heart of any community outreach/service learning program. Sure, it’s great to help others, but the greater goal is to think beyond that schema. We should be teaching students to expand their communities, to recognize the connections we all share. Just as with our diversity work, projects like Cesar Chavez/ Dolores Huerta Day call on our students to shift their perspectives and step out of their comfort zones. In doing so they develop the skills needed to function in an ever more complex world.
There an old adage about a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil and setting off a chain of events that cause Tornadoes in Texas. Well on March 31, our students flapped a few wings. I strongly believe that in time the positive repercussions will be felt in our immediate community and beyond.
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