Blog#8 A Budget is Statement of Values

A Budget is Statement of Values

My community partner has a budget in its own. Founded by Ms. Christine Pielenz and Mr. Bill who own the land. The Farm provides charity to the citizens of Half Moon Bay which depends heavily on volunteers. The farm Potrero Nuevo Farm is a non-profit organization which helps deliver fresh organic produce to homeless shelters and other charitable organizations. Also, Potrero Nuevo Farm donates the use of its land, harvest support, use of farm equipment and other materials to the Catholic Workers and that in turn feeds the low-income and homeless. In that way, they fulfill the hallmark number six ‘‘We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve’’ and also hallmark number two ‘‘We commit ourselves to community service.’’ They also gain money from a program called U-Pick where people can harvest their own vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers. Also, they have a coffeeshop-like shop called The Bike Hut, run by farm managers Jay and Suzie Trexler, The Bike Hut is a place where cyclists can enjoy fresh water, teas, and some snacks and they have the choice to pay what they want in return for this kind of service. It is self-serve and open 24/7/365 for the enjoyment of Half Moon Bay bikers.

CTA Day Reflection

Black Lives Matter

Call To Action Day

“We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person” (Hallmark Two). After what we heard about the brutality of police officers to the African-American community, Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement founded by three brave women, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi. The movement first started in 2013, when Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old student, brutally got shot by a police officer in Florida. BLM movement was first started on the social network website Twitter by the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.

I heard the whole keynote that was presented by Bobby Vaughn. Actually, his last words moved me “All lives matter, black lives matter, LGBTQ lives matter, Muslims lives matter.” It made me realize that it is not only my life or my family’s lives but also every human being. His words also follow one of the Catholic Church teaching’s themes, “The dignity of every person and human rights.” In fact, We need to be treated equally by the government, whoever has authority or even among each other. We also have discrimination problems in Saudi Arabia. I think it is a universal problem.

Group discussion is a really perfect idea for people to share what they think about in order to be better as a community. It also fulfills one of the hallmarks that was written by the Notre Dame De Namur sisters “We embrace the gift of diversity.” In my group discussion, I was able to talk with people who have different points of view about the Black Lives Matter movement and discriminations in general. I know that could sound normal to you, but to me it was not. Any problem related to politics is illegal to discuss it in Saudi Arabia. The government tries to control what people say or think.