Why is Community outreach so Important to me?

My Posh British accent can be incredibly deceptive. It hides the truth of where I come from and who raised me. As an asylum-seeking family in the U.K., my family had few resources and very little familial support. We were lucky enough to settle in Croydon. In the 90s, we had the largest population of children and young people in the country, and an impressive array of free programming funded by the city and frequently also run by volunteers. These programs were a safe place for me. If I were to stay at home, I would have to look after my sister by myself, and sometimes her friends. If I signed up for one of these classes at the library or community centre, it meant I got to learn something in a safe space where I got to be a kid. Reflecting on this experience, I can see how resourceful and resilient children and people are, in general. This is merely my way of trying to put back into the universe the great abundance of love I received from my community. Looking back, I really had no idea how much those early childhood experiences were already shaping who I wanted to be, and the work that I wanted to do. This work brings me great peace, joy and fulfilment.