WE NEED SOME INSPIRATION: A look back at an ask, lending a hand, creating a community project, being welcoming and learning, and learning the power of being an architect.
(from Medium)
8 years ago, a joyous dedication occurred.
This story is still relevant in our current times of conflict and hatred, particularly towards immigrants.
It all began with an inspiring 2015 radio show I heard, about how the game of soccer broke down cultural barriers with some newcomer immigrant students. The simple takeaway? Take the time to listen and learn from others. You may get inspired and realize your preconceptions may not be correct.
And, by being inspired, I would learn the power of being an Architect and that it isn’t always about the end product or staged photos. The process of Listening, Caring, Problem solving, Lobbying, Persevering, Organizing, Motivating and Collaborating are equally important.
So, this beautiful radio story was shared with colleagues at the St. Louis Mosaic Project, where I served (and still do) on the steering committee. Inspiring stories should always be shared.
As often happens, it was passed on and on, till it came back to me full circle, nearly 6 months later.
Having forgotten about this radio show, I would ultimately receive a phone call from a stranger, Principal Donnie Harris, from the Nahed Chapman New American Academy, a 2-year transitional school within the St. Louis Public School System. The “transitional” meaning? This school was established to create a safe, nurturing environment for newcomer refugee and immigrant students who could not test into the mainstream neighborhood school. Top three reasons: Lack of or limited English, interrupted education or no education………..and PTSD.
The simple request of Principal Harris? The phone call went something like this. “I hear you want to build a soccer field.” Hmmm, I thought. No harm to listen. “I need a safe playground where the children can play. They need to exercise to address their PTSD.” I was hooked.
Initially, I thought it was simply helping with some asphalt repairs, so I went to visit her, toured the pitted playground, then the school to meet some staff and understand the need. Little did I know, I signed up for a multi-year journey of discovery and deep learning about the power of good people.
My journey would be to inspire (and convince) the community to get involved. Involvement would not be to just build a field, hand it over and say good luck, but it would be the process of showing care, developing trust…and teaching soccer. The project was embraced by the St. Louis Scott Gallagher, a premier club soccer organization, led by Ken Godat.
In a meeting with the lone physical education teacher for this school of over 200 students at the time, the Gallagher team and I would learn how he would sweep away the crumbling asphalt before recess and place cones to warn off for safety. He told of how he was teaching girls to run for the first time (not allowed in certain controlled countries). The Gallagher Team was now hooked to help and inspire.
As we figured out what we needed or thought we could do, we were always encouraged to go bigger. Don’t just patch an asphalt playground. And so, we forged ahead with big ideas, such as a turf field with a running track, landscaping and even a unique structure for social gathering. I would connect with Chandler Ahrens, a professor of a Design-Build Studio at Washington University School of Architecture. They were motivated and inspired, working with the (student) “clients” to share their ideas.
The construction industry would, without hesitation, join in for the main project, led by the non-profit, Construction Forum STL and the leadership of Tom Finan and the construction industry’s leader, Thom Kuhn. We would form a non-profit, the Gateway Welcome Project, to help manage the process. A true Collaboration. Then, in the Fall of 2016, we would dedicate the new“soccer field.”
Listening to someone in need can lead to great things.
We architects must do more. Never stop thinking. Peter Tao, Principal and Founder of TAO + LEE.
Read the story with images at Medium here. (requires subscription)