What's good beautiful people it’s David, your friendly neighborhood REEP Director. It’s wild, this year has taught me so much about young people -- even after two decades-plus of youth development and organizing. Our REEP young folks during a pandemic have shown so much resiliency. It doesn't surprise me but I’m still blessed to see such wonders first hand. This year, our youth had their lives turned upside down by the pandemic and racist police all while still in school. They’re still motivated, they’re still engaged and they still want to fight for environmental justice. But REEP is in danger of stalling right now. Because of COVID delays, our funding from the city is not promised and if we do get it won’t start until November -- and we need to keep doing our organizing and community building year-round. That’s why I’m emailing you today. Can you help us raise the money to restart REEP in the next few weeks? If we raise at least $7,500, we could add five weeks of REEP -- meaning we could open back up soon. We’re asking folks to become ongoing monthly donors. A donation every month can make a huge difference to help us avoid crunches like this. I want to tell you a little more about what I see in our young people. They hear people saying “it’s just the way that it is” and they’re like “Um NO,” and they step up and do something. They’re talking to reporters on TV, testifying at school committee or city hall about defunding police. They’re texting me about college plans, organizing zoom calls, keeping each other involved. It’s a proud thing for me to witness, and also a sadness for them to have to go through the world that doesn’t want to listen to them. They’ve been really active last school year and whole summer, figuring out how they’re going to show up in these spaces with the radicalness that they have. They all face the same feelings -- “I have to do something to change that, and so I’m doing it.” If you’ve made it through this pandemic and the recession and you’re able to give -- we’re counting on you. Sign up as a monthly donor. I want to thank everyone for giving time, energy and resources to REEP. There's no community without you and I together. So together let's help the youth help the world. |
