Jadyn Yellowrobe
SELF TOLD
WCCDA Narrative Series | Eight
NOV 2022
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I came from a middle-class Caucasian family (since my Native family was unstable at the time that I was growing up). I've been interested in helping out people and community's here and there when I have the time to do so. I'm currently in a Pre-Med club that does volunteer work to help people in need. I use any pronouns and I've lived in and around White Center for most of my life.
I decided to join because I wanted to meet like-minded people who were interested in the same things I was. The internship gave me that and much more than I would've known from a glance. I was impacted by the history that was discussed and the activities we did. Talking about the Stonewall Riot was a difficult task since it's the hardships that many people in the LGBTQ+ community had to go through in order to get treated even remotely equally. Something about difficult topics or injustice hits me differently and I get a bigger reaction than other topics. The activities we did helped our internship group connect on a deeper level.
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We had movie nights where we would watch LGBTQ+ movies or shows and discuss about them and how we feel/think/relate to them. There was also days where we would talk to people in the music industry or other work professions to get a glimpse of how they live their lives being in a community that gets criticized for being who they authentically are. It's also developed me into a person who can take charge when needed and lead others when they need guiding. I continue to use the skills I've gained as a leader. Something about difficult topics or injustice hits me differently and I get a bigger reaction than other topics. The activities we did helped our internship group connect on a deeper level.
We had movie nights where we would watch LGBTQ+ movies or shows and discuss about them and how we feel/think/relate to them. There was also days where we would talk to people in the music industry or other work professions to get a glimpse of how they live their lives being in a community that gets criticized for being who they authentically are. It's also developed me into a person who can take charge when needed and lead others when they need guiding. I continue to use the skills I've gained as a leader in my life when other are in need. I also use the skills of connecting on a level that others may not understand (being a part of the LGBTQ community and what some have gone through).
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There are also the life lessons of taking time to oneself to be mindful of their and others wellbeing. Without self care, you can only go so far until you break. I can see this program growing in the future by the past participants promoting and sharing such a wonderful and impactful program to others.
There will be an open and safe place for anyone to come to so they don't have to be reserved and hide themselves anymore. Our community is always changing but if we go through these changes together, we can make them positive and valuable for others. It just starts with us and our first steps towards a better outcome. More places open for kids. There aren't many safe places that kids can go to for recreational purposes. Since there aren't more places for them, they'll go out and seek trouble since it's something to do to pass the time. With something fun and safe for them to do after school, they'll be impacting the community in a better way and it'll benefit them and promote a better lifestyle.
End of Narrative