Our Hope Gallery Recap!

Hello Friends of The Hope Chronicles!

More than two weeks later, I still can’t stop smiling.

On March 5 and 6—a sunshiny South Los Angeles weekend—more than 250 neighbors gathered to listen to the heart of their community. A heart we discovered and shared through one very simple question: What do you hope for?

This was our first ever Hope Gallery—the culmination of six months of working with the incredible Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in Los Angeles and chance for one community to be immersed in hopes that they all share. I so wish you ALL could have been there, but for those of you who couldn’t make it to the event (or even for those of you who did), I’m excited to share a little taste of what we experienced during that amazing weekend.

First, here’s a quick video slideshow that will walk you through the experience: from our wonderful gallery of Hope Journals to our “forest” of hopes from neighbors all over South LA.

Then, take a look at the personal responses of our student Community Listeners. Stories of individual transformation just because of one simple question.

Also, our rockstar photographer Madison Garcia put together a beautiful set of images she captured during the event.

The Hope Gallery also featured a “Hope Graffiti” wall that HUNDREDS of people signed. I’ve put together a little photo gallery of my favorites.

Finally, everything that you see here today…we want to take that one step further. So, I’m excited to invite EVERYONE to host an event like this one with their school, club, organization, or house of worship. Please visit our new “Host An Event” section to sign up for more information and plan a project for your group.

The weekend was full of moments etched into my memory. Students walking their families through the Hope Journals. Kids and adults—together—writing their hopes on our wall. Visitors spending minutes, sometimes hours quietly reflecting on the stories of their neighbors. Two students curled up together in an armchair reading a Hope Journal aloud—laughing, crying, smiling, and always listening.

This was nothing more than unforgettable.

But one silent moment hovers above it all.

I was cleaning up on Saturday night after everyone had gone home and snapping pictures of all everything for my own records. I was walking past the Hope Graffiti wall when I caught a glimpse of the picture on your left.

I stared at it for a second, grabbed a red marker, and wrote that big “AMEN.”

What Lynnette wrote perfectly captured everything that we do at The Hope Chronicles—a deep desire to never stop understanding our neighbors, no matter who they are or where they come from. A challenge that can only be met through listening.

So, thank you Lynnette, whoever you are, for your words.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers who helped build the gallery. Thank you to the incredible staff at APB who believed in this project. And most of all, thank you to the Ánimo Pat Brown students, who took a risk, started listening to their neighbors, and taught me so much in the process .

To everyone who supports the work we do: much love, many blessings, and be well.

Sam Lundquist
Founder and Community Listener
sam@thehopechronicles.org

Photos from the Gallery!

Didn’t get a chance to make it to the Gallery? Our marvelously talented photographer, Madison Garcia, captured some wonderful moments from the event. Check ‘em out below and see more at her Flickr page!

Hope Gallery: The Responses

To create the very heart of our Hope Gallery, we asked our student Community Listeners to share their story of how one simple question changed their lives. Here are their responses—uncut and unedited—so you can get just a glimpse at their own personal transformation.

Our First Ever Hope Gallery

It Should Be Important

Rounding out our first round of student blogs, here are the final five stories from our Community Listener/Creative Writing crew from Ánimo High School in South Los Angeles.

Take a look at how these incredible students have been changed by the simple act of listening to the people around them.

Irma’s Story

Irma's Personal Hope (Click to Enlarge)

Before my first interview, before I even started this amazing project, I never really took the time to wonder what the word “hope” meant to me or to anyone for that matter. It was merely a simple, useless word. Ha, was I wrong! Yes, I was completely wrong!

When I asked myself, what do you hope for? I debated on the answer for several minutes because I never thought about what I hope for in life. I never stopped to think about the millions of possibilities in the world that I could want. That I could have. So before I answered the question, I thought about the word hope, alone. I then asked my older sister, who I thought was wiser than me for some reason, but she did not know what it was either.

In the end, we were like “Oh, yeah, to hope is to want something you will never have! Or to want something that may be impossible to get.”

I did not like this answer, though. It was too harsh (haha), very untrue, and very simple. I debated on the answer for quite a while before I wrote it in my journal. “I hope for the truth.” There is obviously more to it, but this is what I long for. The word hope does not mean what I cannot have, but what I can give and what I would like to receive. For me, honesty is my biggest hope because a lot of people all around the world lie everyday. Sometimes unconsciously, but the lie is still there. I’ve had a great experience with my best friend. He did something horrible, which hurt me, but he was honest about it and he told me, which made me look up to him even more than I ever have. He knew his mistakes, and admitted it. If everyone was honest, the mistake would not be washed away, but instead razed and confronted.

While I interviewed people, they looked at me, when I ask them the question ‘What do you hope for?’, like if I was going to laugh at them at any time. At first, they were not sure of what to say. I was extremely content with this because they took their time to answer the question. It seemed like the really cared about the answer, and they did not want to say anything less important to them. I was excited to know that I was not the only person who debated on what their hope was. I was also surprised that some people hope for the simplest things, even if it’s just some guitar. These things are really important to them. Somehow, I felt it should be important to me too. Just because I know them.

Click below for more student stories… (more…)

Hopes from Eva

We’ve got blogs tomorrow, and more journal entries today! Here’s some a Hope Journal from our Community Listener Eva, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. She filled her journal with hopes from family, friends, teachers, and strangers in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Eva’s personal hope:

Eva, 18 (Click to Enlarge)

“I hope to graduate in December and go on to college. I hope to work in the music industry as a singer/songwriter. Also, I hope that one day I have enough money to buy my own music studio and record my music. I hope for no discrimination in its every form, and for me and my partner to get married some day and be accepted by all of society.”

—Eva, 18
Los Angeles, California

Flip through the rest of Eva’s journal…

(more…)

Hopes from Miriam

Even more! Hope Journal entries from our Community Listener Miriam, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. She filled her journal with hopes from family, friends, teachers, and strangers in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Miriam’s personal hope:

“I hope for peace, love, and union in the world. I hope to realize my dreams in life, get into college, and graduate.” —Miriam A. 18 from Los Angeles

Flip through the rest of Miriam’s journal…

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Hopes from Flora

Even more Hope Journal entries from our newest Community Listener Flora, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. She filled her journal with hopes from family, friends, teachers, and strangers in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s a highlight from Flora’s journal:

Karla, 18 (Click to Enlarge)

“I hope for a better:

- life for others and my siblings

- world

- home

- educated humanity

- opportunity for college

- protection of OUR world

And most of all I HOPE everyone has an opportunity to live.

PS – I hope to go to college so I can find out who I am and where I am.”

— Karla, 18 from Los Angeles, CA
Flip through Flora’s entire journal…

(more…)

“Already Eye-Opening”

Here’s our final round of personal stories from our newest Community Listeners from Ánimo High School in South Los Angeles.

Take a moment and read how these incredible students have been changed by the simple act of listening to the people around them.

Yesenia's Personal Hope (Click to Enlarge)

When I first thought about the word “hope” I thought about the things I wanted to achieve but were a far off goal. I wanted material objects; I wanted something better for myself. The thing that kept me going was this “hope”.

As I started this project I realized the amazing responses from my fellow classmates. Many of them wanted peace in the world, others just wished happiness in others lives.  I realized how unselfish my classmates were, how I was the opposite. I’m not saying it is a bad thing to hope something better for yourself, I was just saying how I had expected my classmates to primarily want something for themselves, in their lives.

Later, when I read over my Hope Journal, I was really inspired by their hopes. “I hope for peace.” “I hope for equality.” “I hope for peoples’ happiness in life.” These were a few of the hopes that stuck with me, and I truly felt like I had learned a lot from the students in my school. This was only the beginning of The Hope Chronicles project, already eye-opening, and I can only imagine what is to come from our neighboring community.

[Read Yesenia's Hope Journal]

More stories after the jump…

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Hopes from Yesenia

More Hope Journal entries from our Community Listener Yesenia, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. She filled her journal with hopes from family, friends, teachers, and strangers in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Yesenia’s personal hope:

“I hope for a world filled with people with open eyes.” —Yesenia from South Los Angeles

Now, flip through Yesenia’s Journal…

(more…)

Hopes from Justine

Here we go! Hope Journal entries from our Community Listener Justine, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. She filled her journal with hopes from family, friends, teachers, and strangers in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Justine’s personal hope:

“I hope for success and world peace.

I hope to be a great daughter, sister, and friend. Hopefully someday all my wildest dreams may come true.

I hope for the best in others, and for all those who have suffered may once again find happiness.

I hope for a long life, hopefully it doesn’t end in the year 2012.

I hope to graduate and become very successful.

I hope that I make my parents proud.

I hope my siblings will look up to me as their role model.”

—Justine, 16 from Los Angeles

Flip through Justine’s Hope Journal after the jump…

(more…)

More Stories from Ánimo HS

Here are some more personal stories from our newest Community Listeners from Ánimo High School in South Los Angeles.

Take a look at how these incredible students have been changed by the simple act of listening to the people around them.

Susana's Hope (Click to Enlarge)

I had this conversation with my sister who is 9 years old about what she hopes for.

I asked her, “What do you hope for?”

She said, “What do you mean?”

“Well, what do you want to accomplish in this life?”

She then thought about it and walked away. I thought that she didn’t understand what I was talking about. Then, she came back and looked at me if I said something wrong, and she said “What do you think?”

I didn’t say anything because, well, I didn’t know.

For a while we sat there and she said, “Well, I want to live a happy life where I could help animals and have a lot of money so mom and dad don’t have to work anymore.”

She then told me how hard she sees my parents work and when they come home they are too tired and don’t have time to play with her. If she works then she could give them money so they do not have to work anymore. This really stood out for me because she knows that my parents work, and she understands that they are too tired to play with her. This showed me that when my parents don’t work she tries to be with them as much as possible and helps them out in any way she can.

I see my sister differently because she does have like real dreams of her own, and they are not the hopes of a girl who just wants to own something. She does not think of being selfish. I now see that she is a person that wants to help out instead of just having things for herself.

[Read Susanna's Journal]

Read more stories below…

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Hopes from Heather

More more more! Hope Journal entries from our friend Heather, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These hopes were heard and collected from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Heather’s personal hope:

“I hope for peace in the world. For there to be no wars or destruction in the world. Non-violence. People to live as one.” — Heather, 18

Flip through Heather’s Hope Journal after the jump…

(more…)

Hopes from Deborah

Here we go… Even more Hope Journal entries come, this time from Deborah, another student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These hopes were heard and collected from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Deborah’s personal hope:

“I hope for God to make my family stronger. He can do it, and I know he will. Our family needs to come together.” — Deborah, 17 – Los Angeles, CA

Read the rest of Deborah’s journal here…

(more…)

Hopes from Susana

More Hope Journal entires! These come from Susana, one of our incredible student Community Listeners from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These hopes were heard and collected from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Susana’s personal hope:

“I hope for peace, respect…” — Susana, Los Angeles

Read her Hope Journal after the jump

(more…)

Hopes from Clarisa

These Hope Journal entries come from Clarisa, one of our amazing Community Listeners from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These hopes were heard and collected from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA.

Here’s Clarisa’s personal hope:

“I hope for peace in the world and a world without drugs and alcohol.” — Clarisa, 16 from Los Angeles, CA

Read more after the jump…

(more…)

Blogs from Ánimo HS

All this week, we’ve been featuring the Hope Journals from our newest Community Listeners from Ánimo High School in South Los Angeles. To complement those journals, we’ve asked the students to share a bit about their experience. At The Hope Chronicles, we seek to share two very interconnected stories: the honest hopes of the people around us and the stories of how our Community Listeners personally change after hearing these hopes. Here’s an eye-opening look at what’s going on in the minds of these students.

Kimberley’s Story:

I believe the Hope Chronicles have helped me become more aware of society. This project has help me understand how even the strongest looking people have selfless hopes and dreams. I have also come to realize that society has good intentions, and people are actually crying out for help. The Hope Chronicles have made me have a better understanding of hope. I used to feel that looking out for yourself was important, but looking out for your community is also essential. In order to prosper, you must have a bright environment, and The Hope Chronicles is a way to give my community a voice in order to someday acquire change.

[Read Kimberley's Journal]

Read more stories after the jump.
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Hopes from Kimberley

These Hope Journal entries come from Kimberley, one of our Community Listeners from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These were gathered from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of LA.

Here’s Kimberley’s personal hope:

“I hope to grow up and be proud of whatever it is I become.” — Kimberley, 18 from Los Angeles, California

More of her Hope Journal entires after the jump…

(more…)

Hopes from Carolina

These Hope Journal entries are from Carolina, one of our Community Listeners from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These were gathered from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of LA.

Flip through more hopes below (Click any image to enlarge):

Hopes from Diana

Take a look at these Hope Journal entries from Diana, one of our Community Listeners from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These were gathered from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of LA.

Flip through more hopes below (Click any image to enlarge):

Introducing Ánimo High School!

Journal Artwork by Heather, 18 from Ánimo HS

We are so excited to introduce our newest Hope Chronicles Community Listeners, the creative writing students at Ánimo Pat Brown High School, a GreenDot Charter school in South Los Angeles! Each of these wonderfully talented and artistic students will be spending the next few months passing around Hope Journals to family, friends, strangers, and neighbors in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of LA. Already in just the past three weeks, hundreds of conversations have been had and dozens of  stories have been gathered.

Starting today, we’ll be sharing these hopes on the site among our other, regular updates. Plus, each Friday the students themselves will be sharing their own personal stories of how they’ve been changed by conversation with journal entries, short stories, creative writing, and poetry that we’ll be showcasing the Hope Chronicles Blog.

So, take some time and enjoy the amazing hopes that these students are collecting from their neighbors as they grow and change because of the community around them.

- October 25: Jesús and America
- October 26: Carolina and Diana
- October 28: Kimberley
- October 29: Blogs from Diana, Kimberley, and America
- November 1: Clarisa
- November 2: Deborah and Susana
- November 4: Heather
- November 5: Blogs from Susana, Deborah, and Heather
- November 8: Justine
- November 9: Yesenia
- November 10: Miriam and Flora
- November 10: Blogs from Yesenia, Yazmin, Justine, and Becca
- November 11: Eva
- November 12: Blogs from Irma, Carolina, Itzel, Selvin, and Juan

Check out the full Ánimo Archives here.

Hopes from America

Take a look at these journal entries from America, another star student from Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in South Los Angeles. These were gathered from family, friends, and faculty in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood.

“I hope for joy and peace. I want the world to be a better place for everyone. I hope for a world free of criticism where everyone can get along with no conflict or shyness. I hope the world to be a place called “home” for every person living on it.” —America

Flip through more hopes below (Click any image to enlarge):