Over the last 9 months the Neighborhood Engagement Program facilitated 5 mental health workshops in Spanish, ranging from art projects for your family to fostering resilience and positivity during COVID.
These workshops speak to two of the most important backing principles of the program. Firstly, to create resources for those who have been historically marginalized by Walla Walla’s city government and social institutions. Secondly that these resources must meet demands identified and agreed upon by the members of that marginalized community. Many members of the Walla Walla community are unable to access resources because the systems of support can only be accessed in English, and many organizations impose support through institutional agendas. That is not to say that those folks or organizations don’t exist in Walla Walla; there are tons of wonderful people and wonderful organizations in Walla Walla that do amazing work totally in line with these principles. Still, everywhere in the U.S. tendencies like those I mentioned above are common.
Walla Walla institutions should focus on supporting marginalized members of our community in achieving goals they have set out for themselves. I am obviously not an expert in community organizing and community development, but want to learn as much as I can about best practices.
The work I have been involved with has also inspired a renewed interest in politics. Important change can be affected in many different ways on a regional scale, through grassroots organizing, community activism, and NGOs. However, city government work seems to carry very little shine, although maybe I am not seeing enthusiasm that exists somewhere at Whitman. While I definitely understand a lack of faith in existing systems of governance, I do think that regional political work can play a critical role in the lives of community members. People I have met in the different neighborhoods of Walla Walla, in local organizations, and in the city government, have continually inspired me and motivated me in my outside life. Local government, despite a less than glamorous image, has the potential to affect meaningful change. I have met many really inspiring folks during my internship with the city, and I really believe in their desire and capacity to do important things.
None of this is to say that extra-governmental activism and work is not effective in the same way, I think that the community organizers and leaders are some of, if not the most important folks, in fostering positive change. But this internship has made me think about the role government can have at the local level and the importance of small movements towards change everywhere and in many different forms.
At the same time, maybe the tides are turning on local politics. There has been really widespread political engagement at the local level in recent months through the work of the Black Lives Matter movement and local government organizing. Maybe that engagement will lead to a realignment of glamour and maybe focus will continue to be directed at the local level.
I hope that it does!
Experiences like Ben’s are made possible by the Whitman Internship Grant, which provides funding for students to participate in unpaid internships at both for-profit and non-profit organizations. We are happy to be sharing blog posts from students who were supported by either a summer, fall, spring, or year-long Whitman Internship Grant at organizations, businesses, and research labs all around the world. To learn how you could secure a Whitman Internship Grant or host a Whitman intern at your organization, click here or contact Assistant Director for Internship Programs Mitzy Rodriguez