The word of the day: OVERWHELMED!!
So, overwhelmed is the only word that I can think of to describe how I feel about this project and even that is an understatement! London was an amazing experience and I keep trying to harness that creative energy into this project. However, it has proven to be difficult. I continue to stress about what my passion is. I know I want to do something related to healthcare but what, I don’t know. Healthcare is such a huge and complex industry here in the United States. I also do not know what I have to offer/can bring to the table. Also, time management has proven to be my greatest weakness. I feel like I have so much to do with so little time. And yet, life continues to move all around me.

By Chelsea Spyres
 
I will admit, I don’t really get grace. I mean I get it in a way that I can define it, I can point out examples of it in my life, but how it shows up at the most unexpected moment, or how I am called to it when I want to run in the opposite direction takes my breath away.
 
At one point while in London we were meeting with folks who run a community café out of a local church. They shared about their journey in taking this big risk and how things did not always work out but those big risks were worth it for the sake of living out vision and call. They shared that sometimes in those big risks it meant sacrifice but sometimes it also meant receiving for themselves. In my journal towards the end of our time together I wrote these words big and bold:

By Jaleesa Hall

​My community project is the formation of a 501(c)3 organization, the Raising A Village Foundation and the education initiative the Let's Make a Difference Project. The Let’s Make a Difference Project is a specialized curriculum as part of the Driven 2 Succeed program that offers support and educational opportunities for 9th grade students that will increase college access and workforce readiness, bolster personal growth, enhance academic success, and increase civic engagement through the completion of community projects.