Today is the last day of the retreat. The best part of the retreat to me was when we made our “unity circle” Sunday night. In the unity circle, everyone had a chance to express how they felt and what they learned about this trip. It was very emotional for everyone and we all felt God’s presence around us.
On our last night, we created a unity circle of yarn as we shared our thoughts and feelings about the retreat. The yarn, wrapped around each of our wrists, represented the ties of support that we provide for each other. Photo by SCYEA Blogging Team.
For me, it was a personal experience where my spirit was lifted. This experience brought me closer to my fellow peers and our staff. We all bonded more on a personal level and expressed the value of love. SC-YEA has brought us kids closer together and away from drugs, violence, depression, etc. The stories I heard really affected my heart and made me feel proud and important to know that we’re all not only in the same organization but we could develop relationships and connect to make a bond so tight we can trust each other and become a family.
Growing up in South Central, we go through more than Beverly Hills or Hollywood kids. We struggle everyday with violence, racism, racial profiling, gang violence, peer pressure, things in our home and we still go to school and manage to try to make good grades. It is not easy for us to just come in to a classroom and free our minds. I think kids are powerful, because we go through too much and struggle to succeed but we who go to college set that example that we can do anything.
This Bay Area Retreat has left me with a promising future and a second chance to succeed—to go to college and show the world that we have stories. That I have a story and that we are more powerful and worthy than what society makes of us.
This trip is something and requires everyone to go on. Yesterday might be taken away but SC-YEA has taught me no one can take away your education.
This trip meant a lot to me and I say thank you again SC-YEA for making me think outside the box.
Written by Shenekah Cayetano on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.
