In our community, Natanya Richardson, an LPN from the LEAP team, went to the Forrest Creek apartment complex to help flood victims. She knew exactly how they felt, because her home flooded too, but being there took her mind off her own woes.
Residents in the low-income complex lost everything including the basic necessities such as food. The “lucky” ones were taken in by neighbors in second floor apartments to avoid becoming literally homeless. We partnered with our community partners to go out to these people and share resources to help them get back on their feet. Our team members listened while residents told their stories, and some of them slowly began to understand that acute stress responses were a natural reaction, they would be OK, and we would always be there for them. While they may have felt broken at the time, we reminded them that they have it within them to survive such events and encouraged them to be strong. We helped children feel calm with bubble-blowing exercises, telling them to “blow away the bad stuff.”
Our team met with 100 people that weekend.
By the time Fiscal Year 2020 ended, our team felt tired like many “helpers” across the globe. However, it was a good feeling too. When we reflected on the uncanny set of circumstances presented to us, each came with opportunities.
Our team acted on the premise that we can’t change the things that happen to us, but we can change our responses to them. We like to think we put into practice the things we encouraged our community to do—believe in our innate resilience as human beings, take unpleasant circumstances and reshape them for a better future. In the process, we bonded with each other and did what we set out to do, which was touch countless lives. We are grateful for so many lessons and opportunities to integrate further into our communities. We remain even more steadfast in service to those who need us.
Lakeview Center 2020 Community Impact Report