I Cried Today

A year ago, with the help of really patient and very supportive family and friends, I started Youth Trek based on a few beliefs:

1) That people are generally really, really good.

2) That the country (and maybe the world) is smaller than it seems.

3) That we are all alike in the ways that matter most.

4) That knowing all types of people from many different places can enrich and enhance your life.

5) That some people are born into more opportunity than others and whenever possible, we should try to narrow that gap or at least try to provide equal opportunity.

6) That travel and adventure can lead to experiences that help us renew, refresh, and redefine our thinking to help us grow in ways we never knew we could.

This week, I have the opportunity to put these beliefs to the test. I am traveling with 6 uber cool middle school girls from DC, and 1 uber cool best friend to Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington for the first-ever Youth Trek trip.

We’ve had a great time to date, but today was a truly special day. I am almost at a loss for words to describe the level of hospitality that we received Tuesday in Portland. We spent time with people who went from strangers, to mentors and friends in half a day. You will see more throughout our blog from the girls about our day.

But I want to be sure to thank Antoinette Edwards for organizing the most beautiful and welcoming reception we could have received (not to mention the very best peach cobbler I have ever tasted). She turned a simple tour request for the American Red Cross into a memory that the Youth Trek group will remember for a lifetime. To all of the women who joined our luncheon: your energy, talent, history, and sheer support were inspirational and powerful for everyone involved. You all had a huge impact on our group!

We could post pages and pages on all of the women who shared their stories with the girls -- health care professionals, environmental engineers, bankers, writers, doctors, social workers, education professionals, businesswomen, political professionals, and innovators. Below is just a quick note about two of the women who joined us today:

1) Renee Mitchell

Renee shared a beautiful poem and song to start the afternoon that captivated us all.

2) Miki Hunnicutt with SEI

Following our luncheon, Miki invited us over to Self Enhancement, Inc. to meet some middle school students from Portland and tour their facilities. It was a wonderful opportunity for both groups to interact and to learn a little more about each other. The SEI team offers impressive services and results. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, the generosity (new reading books!) and hospitality of Miki and the entire SEI team. You’ll hear more about our visit there soon from the girls.

Thank you to everyone at the Oregon Red Cross, to Antoinette, and to Miki and SEI for making today so special for everyone from Youth Trek. --Jessica