the people of coney island

Al: Al and Jamie talked for a while. They talked about music; Al performs his own jazz music. He plays the fugal horn (sp?) His nickname for Jamie was L.A.J because Jamie is from SoCal =) We caught his interest while out cleaning up the yard at the mission.

AJ and Sabrina: These two have known each other since childhood. Sabrina is long and lean and wears beautiful dresses. The day we met her she was wearing a long, light and flowy red dress. She was intrigued by our yard work as well but it was the farmer's truck that really caught her attention. When he came to drop off the lettuce, cabbage and onions for the next day's distribution she lit up and was disappointed she wasn't on the list... she then signed up for next week's farmers market. Her friend AJ asked if we wanted help unloading the farmers truck. He says that he doesn't like Coney Island because the people living there were not as sweet as us. Both him and Sabrina live in the projects; they are next-door neighbors. I think AJ likes having us there.... we seemed to brighten up his day with the light conversation that he's not used to having. Him and Sabrina both came back the following day to pick up some pantry items at the food distribution. When we saw them it was like seeing old friends. Time seems to go by more slowly here. Each minute feels like an hour and each day feels like a year. There is just so much to absorb and take in.

Guy in wheelchair (shame on Jamie for not getting this guy's name...=P): This guy wanted us to know how it was done. He comes straight up to the fence and says, 'No, no, no, that's going to take forever. Trust me, grab a rake and rake up the small trash and weeds. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about, I used to be a landscaper.' This man is incredible. He volunteered to help clean up ground zero in the months following 9/11. As a result he breathed in toxic fumes and ashes that deteriorated one of his lungs so badly it had to be removed. He was in a coma from December 6 to 26. He missed Christmas with his two kids and wife. His 9-year-old son just got student of the month for the entire county. This guy has had it rough... he used to be a burly guy, landscaper, healthy. Now he can barely walk from his living room to his kitchen. But do you know what he told Jamie? He still praises God that he has one lung to praise and worship with. Incredible faith.

The neighbors: One of them owned a store next to us and kept bringing us water and ice for free. He didn't speak much english but was curious about what we were doing and watched the yard transform over the week we were there. The neighbor on the other side was a gardener. He owned the community garden next door. His son invited us to come over anytime for fresh vegetables. He seemed so loving of us and our work. Everyone poured love into us this week.

Irving: Irving is a man that volunteers at the mission under conditions of his welfare. Irving was shot in 2002. He was coming home to the projects and a man was in his hallway. Irving had a necklace on that the guy wanted. When he did not follow the robber's commands, the robber shot Irving in the hip. The bullet damaged his bladder. He got inside and called his wife saying he'd been shot. She though he had to be joking but when she heard the pain in his voice she called 911 and rushed home. Irving was able to get a couple thousand from his apartment company because of the unsafe living conditions but the physical damage has kept him out of work. He's 46. He had his first child at 16; Irving told us how he never planned to be a parent that young. His oldest is 30. He has four daughters all together and a step daughter and step son. He said he doesn't even know how many grandchildren he has... off the top of his head at least =P. Irving told us he goes to church further downtown. We're not sure if he is a strong believer but he told us that he loves on everyone in the community. He has stayed out of the gang seen despite the way he dresses and carries himself. He says he just tries to mind his own business and be friendly to everyone... even the trigger happy bullies. He wasn't even phased about a high speed chase that we saw go down after having lunch at Nathan's. He told us that he's seen someone get shot right in front of him and that he's so used to it by now he barely even notices the violence or foul language anymore. It made me really sad for him.

Reverend Fusco: The Rev of the mission has a heart of gold. His passion for Coney Island is unmatched. What an awesome testament to God's empowerment and strength. His wife is a wonderful artist. The Rev is italian but people have always mistaken him to be of latino descent so he learned some spanish... enough to be conversationally fluent. He remains so calm and peaceful in times when all hell is breaking loose. He really encouraged me just through his actions. It is because of him that I have so much hope for this community.


The people of Coney Island are all so different. Some mull around all day... they are on welfare. Some of them are hard at work in their stores or churches. Some hoot and whistle when us 5 white girls walk past them but most of them ask us about the yard work or they thank us for coming or they ask us where we are from or they tell us to have a good day. Some of them say 'God Bless'. A select few look like they don't understand why on earth we would pour our hearts and time into Coney Island- they have given up. Most of them seemed inspired by our actions. They know we are different, just trying to follow God's command, just trying to prove this community's worth. Some of them say nothing. Some of them say too much. All of them look like they're thinking- what it is I do not know. I pray that it is positive. I pray that they are processing... seeing that there are some that still care deeply about the well being of Coney Island. Most of them are appreciative. For our work. To see young people with goals. To see white people. That may sound racist but I think that many white people must avoid downtown Coney Island. They stick to the beach and go back to their 'safe' neighborhood at the end of the day. I was only in Coney Island for 4 days but they captured me. Intrigued me. Got me wanting more.

I pray that wherever I go, whatever I do, my journeys lead me back to Coney Island here and there. It is a place and they are a people I will never forget.