| We were delighted to receive this tribute to OUDC from Social Justice Fellow Athena Goines, a member of Class 28, who provided it on her own initiative. As you consider donating to OUDC as part of your year-end giving, please consider her heartfelt words. |
 Picture of Athena Goines. Photo By Xochi Cartland. My name is Athena Goines, and I’ve been a part of Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) since February of 2023. I joined OUDC’s Social Justice Fellowship Program in Spring 2023 and returned for their year-long program later that fall. After graduating in September 2024, I have stayed on as an OUDC intern, and as a mentor for Class 29 of the Social Justice Fellowship. Many people have asked me “What made you come back to OUDC?”, and the answer is simple. The community. In this space, I’m heard and understood, and I’ve never felt so much belonging as I have at OUDC. I learned so many valuable things through this program, not only historically but socially and career wise. Through OUDC, I learned about eEugenics and its connection to Jim Crow laws, LGBTQ+ discrimination, disability justice, the civil rights movements, importance of self-reflection and self-work, and so much more. I was able to work on my public-speaking skills and build relationships with my cohort and the broader DMV community. Not only did I build connections, but I also made memories that would stick with me forever. The most significant moment of the Fellowship for me was the interfaith exchange. I visited a mosque for the first time in my life with another OUDC Fellow, Zach Barash. Neither of us is Muslim, and before walking into the mosque, we were worried that we would be judged for being different. We both held internalized biases, and were uncomfortable being in a new space. But the people there showed us that we didn’t have to feel that way, they were all so welcoming and were excited to share their faith with us. What I learned from that moment was that I shouldn’t fall for the stereotype of something unknown being unwelcoming. That is one of the main narratives that OUDC works strongly to fight against so that we can all be better people in the world and support each other. OUDC works strongly to provide teenagers, passionate about social justice and advocacy, with the resources and knowledge they need to make a change. That is the type of program we need in today’s society, one filled with adults who care about our futures and want to support us teens in making a change. More teens deserve to experience a program like OUDC and through your support, we can continue providing this program to teens in the future who want to make a change too. |