10 Nov Thanksgiving Reflection
Taking the “21” from 33rd and Walnut is a Tuesday pleasure unlike any other. It’s a physical journey from the familiar corners of University City to West Philadelphia, whose simple beauties on 48th street I’m coming to know. There’s a family I always see of three bright boys and a patient mother that board the bus as I descend from it. There’s a group of young girls in crisp uniforms and color hair clips sing songs from the “Top 20.” There’s a crossing guard whose smile reminds me of my aunt’s.
Recently, I’ve felt less like I’m venturing into West Philly and more like I’m returning back. It’s lovely when a place becomes familiar and not foreign.
Before volunteering at Rebel, I spent my Tuesdays mostly taking too long of a lunch break in Houston Hall or fiddling around in the carrels of Van Pelt. My only class on Tuesdays is French at 9 am, so I am left with lots of dispensable time that I admittedly squandered in September. However, the best choice I’ve made at Penn thus far has been volunteering at CCE with Rebel Ventures on Tuesdays. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to work with engaged students and staff. The connections that have formed between Penn students, high school students, and staff are mutually beneficial and enlightening.
My first connection with Rebel was through a presentation done about the business in my Biology of Foods class. It’s an ABCS (Academically Based Community Service) course that requires volunteer hours or a lengthy presentation, so I enthusiastically opted out of a project and opted for the service option.
The ABCS courses at Penn are meant to be incubators and catalysts of change. Students who want to directly affect the Philadelphia community they are consciously or unconsciously ensconced in are a resource that should be and, to some extent, is tapped in to. There is so much human capital from the people, Penn students, high school students, and staff, who are drawn to working at places like Rebel. Leveraging their value and desire for change is critical for Rebel’s future and the future of organizations similar to Rebel. Therefore, it is imperative communities, universities, and individuals support and engage with these organizations, so they will thrive.
Be a Rebel. Buy Rebel.
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