Learning from New Experiences

It is pretty dang hard trying to update a blog. In the mist of a hectic life, I find it difficult to just sit down and express my thoughts on a computer. But here I am now doing so. It’s been awhile but I just wanted to blog about my experiences today.

Throughout the month of November, Palos Verdes High School (my school) and a nonprofit organization called Love INC got to partner together to provide a enjoyable Thanksgiving for low income families here in the South Bay. I, alongside Natalie Delcarson and Katie Reidy, took charge of this project.  What we basically did was raise money to provide 30 families with Ralphs gift cards so that they can buy food for their families during Thanksgiving. This project was a huge success and we were even able to raise more than what we originally expected.

After ending the fundraiser, we decided to hand deliver these gift cards to the families. They were all over the South Bay…Harbor City, Torrance, Lomita, Carson, San Pedro, Wilmington, and so on. Though at first I was frustrated at the fact that we had to deliver these instead of mailing them, I ended up having a eye-opening experience.

The houses I went to were all Hispanic houses. They were not in such good parts of the South Bay, and quite frankly, those areas were the areas I always tend to drive around or avoid….if I can. Just the fact that I was driving around a rough patch in the neighborhood and walking around desperately trying to find the house/apartment I was supposed to go to was a new experience. Trying to talk to the family was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do.

They would not open the door for, people around the area would not help me, and when the families did open their doors, their reaction immediate reaction was to say nothing. Love Inc did tell us that some of these families were living with an illegal status, so in my opinion, I think the families were just afraid that I was some sort of authority.

Though the inhospitable reactions I received were very  discouraging, some instances did delight me. At some of the houses, I heard cheers of happiness just as I turned my back. I could heard them rambling about the gift they received. I was excited that they were excited. Even though they had a very apathetic attitude when I approached them, I found that they were in fact extremely happy.

What did I get from all this?

Little acts of compassion really do light up hearts

As I finished my route, I really came to terms of how fortunate enough I am to live in a home where finances aren’t the biggest of our concerns. I also learned that though people might not show it, the small acts of compassion really does light up someone’s day and they do really appreciate it.

ALSO

on the spirit of Thanksgiving.…

I want to thank my friends, family, school, and church for making my life a life worth living for. A life that I appreciate and do not take granted for. Thank you

That’s all I wanted to share for this blog.

Please support Love INC and all the work that they do.

Until next time….

PEACE OUT

Hopeful Artists for Future GAGI Shows

So, the planning for the next GAGI show is fast in action. I have been in close contact with Dalyn from the El Rey, and I think that I have made my decision to go with the venue. The price for the venue is not cheap, but Dalyn is being really flexible with the costs. Obviously, I don’t have the money to pay for the venue (price which I won’t mention on this blog :/), so I am in search of sponsors. My proposition for sponsorships will be up on this blog very soon. I’m going to work on a video for it.

In the spirit of the GAGI show, I just wanted to put up a list of some artists that I would REALLY want to see someday at one of the GAGI shows….ONE DAY.

So, here it goes. Here are the TOP FIVE artists…

1) Duffy

2) Tristan Prettyman

3) Dashboard Confessional

4) Donavan Frankenreiter

5) Laura Izibor

Yes, I said it…Tristan Prettyman is on this list.

So, be a part of my dreams and goals.

HASTA LUEGO

(btw, I got the idea for this blog post from Dan Iwao’s last post. www.DanIwao.com)

GAGI – New Direction

I began my wild and interesting journey for social justice a little over three years ago as I initiated my student campaign called Generation Against Global Injustice, aka GAGI. GAGI has been a very interesting roller coaster ride and has definitely made my high school life a little bit out of the norm, which I am perfectly fine with. Through GAGI, my eyes have been opened wide to issues and problems that our world faces. I have also been able to witness the great work that many non-profits do out there and even be a part of an “Idealist” group called the Los Angeles Idealist Network. My experience with GAGI has been phenomenal and therefore, I have decided to make it an official, 501c3 certified non-profit organization. I feel like GAGI can really become something. Something that can truly make an impact in the community.

I have always had a niche for wanting to work in the education field. My goal, someday, is to become an Education Reformist: someone that works to revive failing schools/school districts. I believe that everyone, from both rich and poor communities, should have the right to receive quality education. With this said, I pondered about HOW GAGI relates to what I want to do. I am passionate about the issues that GAGI has covered over the years, but WHAT really stirs inside me? The answer is education, and that is why I have made a decision to steer GAGI in a new direction.

The previous mission statement was this:

Generation Against Global Injustice (GAGI) is an organization dedicated to raise a global awareness of global poverty by informing and mobilizing people with creative events and projects. We hope to empower the current and future gens to stand up to make poverty history.

Very broad yes? Well, that’s what I wanted for GAGI to be. I wanted to expose various issues regarding extreme poverty and provide different ways for other teens to get involved.But, like I said I will be changing this up a little bit.

Here is the NEW mission statement:

Generation Against Global Injustice is an organization dedicated to the cause of eradicating global, extreme poverty by tackling the issue of the lack of accessible education in developing countries. We are committed to building up new leaders of this generation that are unable to step out of their shell of despair by providing them with education, for we believe that access to quality education diminishes perpetuation of poverty and provides a window of opportunity for upward mobility. Working locally by raising awareness through creative events and projects, and globally by reaching out to make education obtainable for the youth of impoverished communities, we will empower the current and future generations to join the fight to make poverty history.

This still needs some work. I just have to fix some grammar mistakes here and there and also make it more precise and to the point. BUT this is the overall gist of it.

I will announce what we’ll be doing to fulfill our mission and what is to come in the upcoming months.

Please pray for me and GAGI as I try to work through this 501c3 process. I have so much that I want to do and it will be very unfortunate if I get denied by the IRS. VERY unfortunate.

Till next time…

PEACE OUT

First Post! Updates on Life

Hello world!

Let me first say that I am glad that someone is reading this right now.

I hope that this blog does not utterly fail, but instead be an avenue for me to express my ideas on just about everything. To kick my blog off, I am going to give you an update on my life (so needed )

It’s September and school has started. Senior year thus far has been far different than what I have imagined. For those who say Senior year is easy….you are so wrong. Tests, homework, and just STUFF. It is so time consuming.

I have made my college list. I have 16 on it, with only 3 being in state (CA). How am I gonna ever finish my applications? I do not know.

GAGI. Oh boy. So many things. In August, I started the 501c3 application process for GAGI, to make it an OFFICIAL, TAX-EXEMPT non-profit. As for now, GAGI is just a non-profit corporation under the state. That counts for something right?

Also for GAGI. I am narrowing down the venues for the next show which is either going to be in January, February, or March. haha. I haven’t decided yet…unfortunately. The places we are looking at are Avalon and the El Rey. Both have offered to drastically cut their prices for us, which come out to be around $6k – 7k. Obviously, I don’t have this kind of money, so I decided to start looking for sponsors for this event.

That is just the brief, overall update on my life. Interesting?

Check back for more posts.
PEACE OUT