So far, my favorite place in the West Ward is the Easton Area Community Center, or as the kids call it, “Saint’s.”  Hoola hooping, playing board games, basketball, eating, and more – there always seems to be something to do there.  The KIC Goes Global team has visited just to hang out with the kids and they are eager to welcome us in and invite us to join in a game.  In many ways, visiting the community center felt like entering the home of a loving family, I can’t wait to go back! 🙂

I am a rising Junior at Lafayette College, majoring in Social Justice and Quantitative Literacy. Through the Lafayette College America Reads program as well as the Landis Community Outreach center, I have spent time tutoring and mentoring youth in Easton.  The friendships I have formed with the youth is what first incited my commitment to the community.  Interaction with these young people not only drew my attention to the broader social issues Easton faces, but made them personal and instilled a passion in me to both understand and address these issues. This summer, I hope (and have already begun) to learn about the community dynamics of the West Ward. As part of the K.I.C. goes Global initiative, I hope promote collaboration among organizations that that provide services to youth and to better understand both the assets and need of the community.