TrekNorth Reflection

TrekNorth High School from Bemidji, Minnesota spent a week with us at the Darst Center participating in our Urban Immersion Retreat. With open minds and hearts, they came to Chicago willing to learn about delve into several issues of social justice. They challenged assumptions with each issue they encountered, organization visited, and person met. Together they broke barriers and built bridges, and now they will carry the fire and passion back to their own community in Bemidji.

One student reflected back on her time here at the Darst Center and wrote this reflection:

"Over the course of my stay at the Darst center, I was challenged mentally, in the sense of critical thinking. Before the Darst Center, I was taught to stay with the "good" people (working class, white collars, people who have homes)...and to stay away from the "bad" people (homeless, poor people). I've never advocated or participated in so much social justice issues as I have during the week I've been at the Darst Center. My family, peers, neighbors, fellow citizens have never exposed me to social justice issues other than what I see on television or my computer.

The most important lesson I am taking away from this experience is the notion that all people...whether they're poor, African American, homeless, Chinese, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, an LGBTQ member...they're still human. Our world is so diverse, and our society has created a "norm" of being white, being well-off, having a job, having a home...but that's not the case. In life, we are dealt cards that determine the person we are. We are born into this world randomly, no one knows where we'll end up. And it is our destiny to work with what we have and live the life we believe will make us happy."

– Zane, TrekNorth Student

TrekNorth High School