Up until this week, I was failing at being a Charity Baller. While I was wholeheartedly involved in my role in the publicity of Enloe Charity Ball and raising money to meet our ambitious $200,000 goal, I was not fulfilling my role as a volunteer for Southeast Raleigh Promise. Being wrapped up in the busyness of the Enloe Charity Ball season, an overgrowing abundance of school work, and pressing college applications, I didn’t grasp the importance of making time to visit the beacon site, Southeast Raleigh Elementary. It wasn’t until our site visit as a council that I realized I needed to be present and consistent by not only doing the behind the scenes work to make December 7th a night of celebration, but also showing up to see the faces of the kids who we are trying to make a difference for.
The majesty of the combined school and YMCA truly captures your attention even before you turn right onto the campus. The tall panels of glass and brightly colored blocks stand proudly along Rock Quarry Road and tell all who approach that they are welcome here. When we entered for the site visit last Wednesday, we waited in the cafeteria upon lime green lunch table stools and sky-high ceilings, making the room seem infinite in space and possibility. As we were led around the school side of the Y Elementary, we saw a theme in the design of the building: glass windows, interactive learning spaces, dynamic seating, wide open areas, and a color scheme of green, orange, and blue gave the community center a warm personality like no other. Seeing such a beautiful environment, I knew I needed to see how the students of Southeast Raleigh Elementary could benefit from the layout in real time.
This week, I prioritized my commitments to be able to help out at the afternoon/evening Club ROAR Enrichment programs on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the first day of volunteering, I was placed in the dance activity with Ms. Z. I was expecting the spastic array of kids all over the gym stage with tons of energy but I wasn’t expecting the amount of creativity they had when they showed off dance moves to help everyone remember their name. With each kid that got up to introduce themselves, passion and out-of-the-box thinking poured out of their movements and into the space. Then that energy spread out and inspired other kids, who might not have thought of a dance yet to come up with something amazing.
The following day, I was placed with 2nd graders for a Thanksgiving themed coloring session. They all had a turkey and four feathers to color, cut, glue, and put together on a piece of construction paper. Throughout the hour, I was listening to different kids show off their intellect in a myriad of ways. Some drew stars and spelled out their full name, others drew the flags of other countries and made personalities out of their turkeys. Just like the day before, the whole room buzzed with creativity in a safe space that served to encourage the students of Southeast Raleigh. One of the 2nd grade girls had taken a liking to the turkey I colored and I asked her to keep it safe for me until I volunteered next time. She immediately asked me when that would be, with hopeful eyes that we would see each other again. That moment struck me as I remembered Dalia and Sydney telling us how important it is to be consistent so these kids can see familiar faces they feel safe.
The interactions I had with the kids during volunteering show me just how impactful the young leaders of tomorrow currently are and will be. Being able to make connections with the people we are serving through Southeast Raleigh Promise this year further opened my eyes to just how deserving this Purpose-Built Community organization is of our efforts and support to revitalize the Rock Quarry Road Corridor. With the smiling faces of the children I met this week in mind, I know I have the motivation to not only raise my part of our $200,000 goal, but also explain to those around me the greatness that can come from investing in the futures of the children of Southeast Raleigh.
Natalie Yeung
R.A. Coordinator
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