Interview with Christian Brewington, Gulf Coast WalkAbout program
25th anniversary interview
Christian Brewington recently finished the 8th grade at Sophie B. Wright Charter School in New Orleans. She has participated in NYLC’s Gulf Coast WalkAbout program since 2006, when she worked alongside her peers in the recovery process of the hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. WalkAbout is a summer service-learning immersion program that engages students in community projects while strengthening their academic skills.
The following is an excerpt from her interview with NYLC.
Why are experiences like this important?
Experiences like this are important because I don’t like seeing people that I used to know when they were young just growing up and doing something that they know isn’t right. Some people don’t want to go to school because it’s hard to pass this class; it’s hard to pass that class; it’s hard to do this; and it’s hard to do that. It is hard, but WalkAbout helped us because we were still in school. We had to write in the journal everyday in the morning, the evening, and before we went home to share what we did and how we felt. It was like school time in the park.
The reason I say we need more programs like WalkAbout is because it helps people understand and think for themselves. Before the program I was completely shy, but now I have courage — I can do anything if I put my mind to it. And I think all my friends and Miss Sherman had to pull it out of me. I have problems but I learned not to bring that where I was going — to do what I have to do and not bring it to other people. It helped me become a better person and to know that I’m not alone; people helped me put it [the hurricane] behind me.
