Suite Brigitte Updates: "Perspectives & Voices" ~ Knox Middle School in San Diego, CA

"You must be the change we wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Ghandi

We invited some of our community friends to participate in a year-end environmental and health event at the campus of Knox Middle School in San Diego, CA on July 11, 2014. During an afternoon, over eighty middle school students were able to participate in a beautiful yoga experience presented by Jerome Gross and hear the positive affirmations presented during the class.

Jerome Gross and I have worked together for several years in community settings and on youth programs. I have attended his yoga classes and found that they were so beneficial, I was eager to share these experiences with friends, family, colleagues and the wider community. I have witnessed the transformation that can occur on campuses and in event settings when we have presented the yoga and Jerome has even taught students in the sixth grade to present yoga to the community.

The San Diego River Valley Conservancy (SDRVC) provided great materials on the environment as well as activities to engage the students. SDRVC is a non-profit organization "to implement the San Dieguito River Park and its Coast to Crest Trail stretching 70 miles from Volcan Mountain near Julian to the ocean between Del Mar and Solana Beach."

The San Diego Chapter of Table for 2 was onsite and spreading the word about their efforts to tackles the opposing issues of malnutrition and obesity. Students were able to learn about the food choice options locally as well as how their local efforts can benefit and impact the world around them.

Circulate San Diego is a grassroots nonprofit "dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to live, work, learn, and play." They shared their work which supports communities by helping to create more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods. Their interaction with students provided information on how those choices can be made and encouraged greater awareness and critical thoughts around use of space.

H20 Trash Patrol was onsite demonstrating their use of the stand up paddleboard to clean up "hard to reach" places in and around the water. Their work is of benefit to all -- the environment, public safety and health, and anyone utilizing nearby water.

We love being involved in local neighborhoods and will be creating more opportunities youth and community involvement. If you would like more information or to get involved, please contact suitebrigitte@gmail.com.

Many thanks to all of the nonprofits that supported this afternoon of education, healthy choices and fun. Special thanks to Ms. Margarita Bacigalupo and the staff of Knox Middle School for hosting this program. We look forward to more opportunities at the community level.