Raising Money: “Focus” and the “Car Wash”

Editor’s Note: Thirty kids, ages 12 to 16, from Bushwick, Brooklyn, were chosen to participate in “Journey for Change,” a youth empowerment program created by Malaak Compton-Rock. In early August they traveled to South Africa with Compton-Rock and CNN Anchor Soledad O’Brien.  The group returned to the U.S. on August 13th.  Since their return, they’ve been fundraising and doing service projects. We’ve asked them to share their thoughts and experiences by blogging. In March,  the group’s journey will be featured in a CNN Documentary.

At the FOCUS event, for City Harvest, I had lots of fun. When I arrived, I felt excited about going to this special event. Inside were people dressed all fancy and a whole bunch of photographers surrounding us. I went to the area where all of our pictures were displayed. When I saw my pictures on the wall I felt so happy because the pictures that I had actually taken in Africa were on the wall. Steven's, Latoya's, Joshua's, and Keyon's pictures were up too. I felt so proud of myself and I felt like I did a really good job. There were people at the event that I didn't even know coming up to me and telling me how my pictures came out beautiful and I should think about becoming a photographer. The best part was that I even got to go on the red carpet. I felt like a superstar posing for the cameras. For the rest of the night I was just dancing and getting to know new people. Then all of a sudden, I heard that Rachael Ray had just entered.  I immediately took my camera out and asked to take a picture with her. Later on that night, Yolaine and I were going around taking pictures. Before you knew, it was time to go home. I wasn't ready to go home because the producer had told me and Yolaine that Danity Kane was supposed to be stopping by. But we had no choice but to leave because school was the next day. One of the mentors Keith even came!!!!! That night was the best night of my life. The FOCUS event was so fun, but I wish I could've stayed longer.  The food was also good and the event helped to feed hungry people.

Zuliana Burnett, 12

The FOCUS event for City Harvest was a memorable experience because I have never gone to an event like that. I have gone to art galleries but nothing compared to that. That art gallery was huge. It had a big stage for music, some show cars, and there was a big auction going on. I liked the event because on exhibition were some pictures from when I went to South Africa. I also saw some pictures that I took for Times for Kids magazine. I was filled with joy when I saw those. The whole time there was great because I saw and mingled with different people that I probably would have never met if I didn’t go to the event.

Kenyon Aigle, 16

Going to the photo gallery was an excellent experience.  I touched and looked inside of a million dollar car.  There was also another car there and it had Lamborghini doors.  This car was red and it went faster than 200 miles per hour.  I sat in it and I felt like I had trillion dollars in my pocket and bank account.  There were lots of famous people there.  I took pictures with Rachel Ray.  I was looking around for Whoopi Goldberg.  I didn't find her because it was time for me to go home.  There were many cool pictures there.  The Journey for Change pictures were also posted.  These were pictures that were taken by a couple of Journey for Change participants.  I had lots of fun and it was a really great experience.  Some of the photos that were there were being auctioned off.  The money is going to City Harvest.

Albert Brunn III, 12

The car wash was a great day and I had a great time. We were doing the car wash to raise money for a little girl in South Africa. Her house burned down and her mother was in the hospital because she was burned badly. At the beginning of the Car Wash, Mrs. Malaak-Compton Rock stopped us and called over all the participants from Journey for Change. She told us that the little girl's mother had passed away and that we weren't going to be raising the money to rebuild the house, but that we were raising money so that the little girl could go to school and have food. After hearing the little girl's mother had passed, I was sad because that was my motivation for the whole car wash. I had been telling drivers that we were raising the money for the girl and her mother to rebuild their house in South Africa. But at the end of everything it all worked out.  We raised $1340 for the little girl to go to school and to eat!!!!!

Steven Pallares, 15

The car wash was very fun.  We had people on the sidewalks handing out fliers and holding up signs.  We also had people walking up to cars and asking them if they wanted to buy candy.  The car wash was to raise money for a little girl who we met in South Africa.  On the day of the car wash all of the Journey for Change participants were informed that her mother died in the hospital a week before.  Her mother was in the hospital with burns from the neck down.  The little girl was burned too, but not as badly as her mother.  They received these burns when their shack burned down.  When her mother died the woman had only paid for three months of school.  The little girl is currently living with her uncle.  The uncle is unemployed and he has his own kids to support.  He can't afford to take care of her. The focus of the car wash was changed.  We wanted to make sure the little girl eats well and is able to go to school.  Any extra money will go towards new clothing.  Maybe any extra money could also be used to start a savings account for her.

Albert Brunn III, 12