hello
Next on our People of the Neighborhood Resilience Project series, meet Ms. Rhonda!
“I needed something to do so I came here and volunteered for two years. And once I was here, they were like, “Wow, you’re here every day. You might as well come on board.” And I did. Once I got in here, I saw how much people really cared. And I also got to see how many people needed help. Before I didn’t really see myself being able to help people, but once I got here, I saw that I could.
You know, we all make mistakes, and sometimes we feel like it’s the end, but it’s not. With love and hope and support, we can pick ourselves back up, but we can’t do it by ourselves. We need somebody, and I found that here for myself. This place here has allowed me to still smile. I’ve had three sons shot, living here on the Hill. My grandson, he’s been shot. But I don’t look at myself as a victim. It’s life. But being here just helped me to move on. Being here, it just gives me hope. I wouldn’t leave here for anything in the world. I’ve been learning how to forgive, like, dealing with people’s different attitudes, and learning how when they’re upset, they’re not really upset with me. They’re upset with themselves, but taking it out on me. I’ve worked on being able to ignore it and still be there. Working here has given me hope, and I’m so glad that I’m a part of it today. You know, I just don’t attend this place. I have a family here, and I love it. I really do. It’s really beautiful.”