South Central Los Angeles

What do you think of when you think of South Central? Do you think of Korea Town? Do you think of the Ghetto? Maybe you think of home. I am proud to say that I grew up in South Central and I survived. Being from South Central (no Los Angeles needed) became a topic of discussion while we volunteered at Shelter Partnership’s Shelter Resource Bank. I am part of a volunteer organization called One Brick. 

I was the only Black woman among my group of 16.

After easing my way into the conversation and whoo’ing the crowd with my varied background, I stammered a bit when asked where I was from. I had practiced this weeks before. I wanted to be fair to my hometown and my homies who are all over the world. I wanted to glorify Los Scandalous. ”I’m from South L.A.” I managed. 

Being from South L.A. wasn't good enough, though. I’m from South Central! I corrected, with a Cheshire cat’s smile on my face. As I’m the consummate devil’s advocate – “Let’s talk about it…” A cute little vegan, white lady from Ohio thought of Korea Town when she thought of South Central and “The Riots…” she added. The [L.A.] Riots of 1992 ensued after 4 Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in the brutal beating of Rodney King, which was caught on tape. The vegan woman, from Ohio, saw it all on t.v.

Previously, some in the group were amazed that I had been a flight attendant. I trained in Ohio and Kentucky. There was a woman who was from Kentucky volunteering, as well. “Yeah,” I went on. “I met a white woman at a swanky hotel in Marina Del Rey and she was insulted because she was offered a teaching position in “South Central” she said with disdain. After having whoo’d her in all my glory, I didn't have the heart to shatter her bubble by admitting to being from South Central. “I’m from South L.A.” I muttered to the woman at the hotel. 

Sharing the hotel story got the volunteers talking. I’m sure they have different thoughts about people from South Central now. They all agreed that I was not an angry Black woman, either. I am Black and I am proud to be from South Central. I like being a Stereotype Buster! I enjoyed my time volunteering and met great people. 

Shelter Partnership is a wonderful organization that coordinates donations for the needy - everything from furniture to sneakers to Kleenex. Check them out at Shelter Partnership. 

You can find One Brick and other volunteer opportunities, as well as other events at Meetup.com. 

by Michelle Brown

International Day of Peace

I celebrated the International Day of Peace by volunteering at Hostelling International - Santa Monica. We cooked food representing 6 or 7 countries. We had taquitos from Mexico, pancakes from Korea, and hot wings from the U.S. We dined on Jerk chicken from Jamaica and quiche from France.

I met local people and people from afar. We ate non-hybrid avocado with the skin and drank wine from a box. 

I joined a volunteer group called One Brick.

One Brick brings volunteers together to support other non-profit organizations by adopting an innovative twist to the volunteer experience: we create a friendly and social atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event, we invite volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or cafe where they can get to know one another in a relaxed social setting.Our 'commitment-free volunteering' allows you to choose when you volunteer, rather than having to make commitments for a certain number of volunteer hours, or agree to be available every week at a specific time.
Volunteering made easy!

I found One Brick through meetup.com. Meetup.com has been a great resource for finding anything and everything. Whatever you are into, you can find it on Meetup.com. New to town? Fitness fanatic? Hiker? Wine tasting? Traveling? You name it, they've got it. If they don't, make your own group!

Peace and I'll see you around on the volunteer or meetup circuit!



by Michelle Brown