CLEANING STREETS, STRENGTHENING CHARACTER: WFWP ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE IN WASHINGTON, DC
Day of Service Cleaning Team
Bands of bright-faced middle-schoolers filed out from their police station meeting place, brandishing brooms and squeegees. They set off to beautify historic Georgia Avenue in the nation’s capital on Thursday, October 20.
Coming from three schools in the DC and Maryland area, the 40 students had just had their minds fortified by several inspirational talks on volunteer service by representatives of WFWP USA. On this, the WFWP’s fourth annual Day of Service in Washington, DC, the obviously excited and enthusiastic students learned that one of the best ways to lead is through service.
The mission of the annual service project—which gives an opportunity to students to sweep sidewalks and gutters and clean storefront doors and windows—is to help create an environment where young people can build character and self-esteem as they learn to lead through service. Service teaches lessons that students may not acquire in a classroom: responsibility, empathy, and selflessness.
“I can see that these young people are progressing and growing well,” observed Rev. Juanita Pierre-Louis, WFWP national senior vice president. “Thanks to their parents and teachers and projects like this, these children will be our future leaders.”
Meeting in the Community Room of the Metropolitan Police Department’s 4th Precinct Station, the students were addressed in turn by WFWP USA President Angelika Selle; Rev. Pierre-Louis; Minister Chi Mauuso, community coordinator; Elizabeth Aihe, WFWP DC chairwoman; Dottie Chicquelo, Maryland community coordinator; and MeauVell Tate, home school teacher.
Jasmine Benab, a representative from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, was on hand to present Mrs. Selle, Min. Mauuso, and Ms. Aihe with a Certificate of Appreciation from the city for investing in the city’s youth and infrastructure—for four years in a row. Also issuing a Proclamation of Appreciation was Ward 4 DC Councilman Brandon Todd.
Elizabeth Aihe receives the proclamation
After investing sweat and effort in their cleaning work on the warm autumn day, the students were rewarded upon their return to the police station meeting room by a bounty of food donated by 12 local Georgia Avenue businesses and WFWP Virginia member Misako Connery. Mrs. Connery provided gift bags for each student. “It was like an early Christmas for them,” noted WFWP Maryland Chairwoman Pauline Eby. There was pizza, soup, stew, fried chicken, and a variety of sweets. As the students ate, Lieutenant Ashley Rosenthal and Officer Derrick Stanton 4th District Police Station gave them an informal talk.
Leonardo Contreras, owner of the Wapa Café Boutique and one of the food donors, said, “It is such a joy to see students come out to clean the streets, giving back to the community! As a business owner, it feels good to donate food for these students who are out here. It is all about giving back to our community.”