Every February, R CITY honors one person who has been heroic to the work of R CITY. Awarded at the Black History Celebration, R CITY's Distinguished Award for Foundational Contributions recognizes an individual whose work has been integral in the success of R CITY. This year's awardee is Kirstin Williams Smith.
As we reflect on this past year at RCITY, we are filled with gratitude, pride, and excitement for what lies ahead. This year was one of growth, celebration, and meaningful connection, rooted in our continued commitment to building pathways for youth and families to thrive.
It’s just 12 days until Giving Tuesday, the time when we put our thanks-giving into action by sharing our abundance with others. At R CITY, it’s all hands on deck--and you can join us! You can help our youth pack care kits for friends on the streets, donate winter wear for our neighborhood giveaway, or give to our $50,000 year-end match. No matter what you do, it will bring light and life to our beloved community in Chicago, standing in solidarity with those who overcome so much.
We are celebrating. Even in this new year that has proven its difficulty in its first days, we are celebrating. And you are the reason we're celebrating, because at year-end, you gave $83,805. It's an incredibly wonderful total that lets us enter this new year of challenges ready and with the resources we need.
On Harambee work days they entered the building, signed in and had their temperature checked and we would ask how school was going. Too often their responses were not marked by confidence.
Despite their frustrations and discouragement, we were so thankful they got out of the house to come to River City. There was clearly something life giving in completing physical work when so much of their daily lives were spent online.
This school year, R CITY Art Shop decided to take on creating a mural in our neighborhood. It was the perfect activity to do safely during the pandemic allowing us to be creative outdoors. We knew what we wanted to do and we had our idea ready but we didn’t know where we could bring our idea to life. When Lori, one of our students, found out that we needed a place to do a mural, she asked her landlord if we could paint on a wall in the backyard of her apartment building and luckily, the landlord agreed to let us do it.
During our weekly staff meeting, we shared how for much of our day we felt like the stereotype of a “shushing” librarian. We witnessed teachers creatively tackling so many problems, but knew part of our we had a unique opportunity to bring joy to their physical world, since it was such a privilege to be together. We discussed ways to increase joy in our days, we implemented incentive plans, and brainstormed safe ways to enjoy Halloween.
We have now completed two months of remote learning support. Many students and families in our city have found a workable rhythm, but others have deeply felt the weight of working their jobs while supervising their children's education. It is this moment that you have stepped into, opening River City's doors to create an extended family for our youth and support for our families. Through your generosity, we've invited in a full roster of 61 students, kindergarten through high school.
What I have learned from life in the city is that love grows deepest amid difficulty. Violence bonds survivors together, marching against what robbed them of peace. Shortfall brings about the miraculous deliverance of God--and the communal gratitude of the delivered. The challenge of faithfully walking with children from hard places--shouldering with them the burdens they carry--forges a team bonded in unforgettable ways. The hardest years become powerful memories of the ones who loved us fiercely during those times.
In the spirit of this most unusual season, I write this from my living room to yours. Much has been said about the difficulty of this time, and it rings true in our world. The charts show our zip code near the top of Chicago's COVID case rankings, and multiple young adults in my circle have indeed lost parents or grandparents to COVID. The news talk about shortages of food, income, & access to technology, and texts from our families echo that.
We began a new calendar year with new routines in Dreambuilders- our after school children's program. We have been reading and sharing from the Jesus Storybook Bible with a goal of making sure our kids know that God loves them with a "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."
Each time I've shared a story- I prepare myself for constant interruptions- some that you would expect given that our kids are often squirmy after a full day of school - but more often the interruptions are incredible comments showing they have been listening with spiritual ears and are eagerly wrestling with eternal questions. One little guy even drew me a really great picture that's I think is a mashup of Minecraft and Genesis! ;)
We have been so blessed to witness their engagement- and blessed to have the opportunity to remind them of how lovable and valuable they are. Thank you for continuing to love our youth through your prayers and support! If you are available to love our kids in person, we are looking for additional volunteers as we ramp up into Monday-Friday programming.
Blessings,
Michelle Johnson
Director of Apprenticeships and Communication
Originally posted in our 2019 February Email Snapshot
