Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..

Here I am, sitting on my aunt Jayne's couch, done with 10 months of challenging, eye-opening and interesting months. I take a sign of relief, knowing that it is time for me to move on to the next thing. This year has been an emotionally taxing roller coaster and I am proud that I made it through.

Our graduation was long and sappy, full of metaphors and reflections about the work that we have done over the last year. There were some great things said by our speakers and some very emotional moments as well. It was great to have my family (mom, dad, juliette, grampa, aunt jayne and jackie and cousin maria) there to support me and represent the elser clan!

Thank you to everyone who supported me this year and helped me get through this challenging experience, especially JILISA RAWDING who has been there through it all!

Here are some pictures from the last week or so.

Tuscaloosa and Dauphin Island Photos

picture of the distribution warehouse, before and after of a backyard, chainsawing and dauphin island.

disaster recovery and the end of the road

For the past 2 weeks have been working in Tuscaloosa, AL attempting to help this community recover from one of the worst tornadoes to hit the South. It has been both emotionally and physically exhausting for us as a team, as we are working long days in areas completely destroyed in the path of the storm. We have been working in distribution centers and in the field helping with the slow and steady project of getting this community back on their feet. Our sponsors are City Impact and United Saints of New Orleans. Through them we work in several teams from the Vicksburg camp and travel to different sites on a day to day basis. Mostly I have been working on debris removal in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods chainsawing and swamping, pulling brush and large stumps out of people's yards. I have also been working at the Temporary Emergency Services warehouse helping to organize and sort through donations. Both jobs are overwhelming, as I am also amazed at the power of this storm. Donations have been pouring in from all over the country, including from Emerson College! Some of my closest friends in the Emerson community collected clothing and other items at the end of the school year to send to Tuscaloosa. They never cease to amaze me with their thoughtfulness and motivation! LOVE IT.

We will be heading back to Vicksburg on Wednesday morning and I will be a week away from heading home! When I have a better internet connection I will be able to upload photos.

disaster relief

Off to Tuscaloosa, Alabama on a disaster response following the tornadoes that swept across the South last week. May not have electricity or internet service, will update when I can.
Home sweet home in 28 days, for now in sweet home Alabama.