Entry 2: 2+2 = Change

I remember when I was introduced to community-based work. It was during my Pre-Service Orientation for being an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America). This was a week long training on community organizing, activism, and sustainability.

It was like I finally woke up and realized that what I wanted to do was bring people together to create community change.

Six years later, I am still awake and working for two non-profits that advocate for Youth Empowerment and School-Based Health Care.

Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!) is an organization that hires young people, as staff, trains them and them provides them with opportunities to get out in the community and use their voice!

The North Carolina School Community Health Alliance is the statewide resource organization for school-based and school-linked health centers.

I think it is important to remember how we got to where we are. I feel that it helps me to recognize the lenses that I see the world through.

And if I understand how I see the world, maybe I can understand how the world sees me.

 

Then maybe, a few people working together to make their community a better place, regardless of age, race, or creed…

…could have a really big effect.

 

Entry 1: Three Years Starts…Now!

Hey, my name is Parrish! I’m 28, I live in Durham, NC, I am getting married this weekend to my best friend (a.k.a. glutenhatesme), and we have a dog…his name is Max.

 

I love to cook…which is mostly an excuse for loving to eat,  I have played soccer for about 20 years, I graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College (with about 50 other people) in 2003, and I love a good "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me".

More importantly,  I’m an advocate…and I’m just getting started down a road to change the face of my community.

I’m advocating for school-based health centers (SBHCs).

 

Yes, that’s correct, a doctors office on the grounds of a middle or high school to treat students. I believe that all youth should have access to affordable, effective prevention and treatment services no matter what. I also believe that by putting these services inside a school, where youth spend the majority of their time, is the best way to do this. A simple concept really.

What…you were expecting civil rights, segregation issues, maybe something politically charged right?!?!

Hopefully you were, because simple concept does not equal simple project.

We have 3 three years and I’m hoping to tell the story…and maybe build some enthusiasm while doing it.

So let me start this, Day 1, by asking you a question…what do you advocate for?