An Interview with Community Action's Sarah Cotton

by Halcyon Svor-Bernstein

Why did you join Community Action? How long have you been a member, and why did you choose Community Action?

I found out about Community Action through a friend who went to Tijuana last year with the school. This was my first year as a member of NSO. I have always helped out in my community, by being involved with school activities or on my own. I think there is power working in a group as opposed to volunteering on my own.

To start, can you tell what Community Action, as a club, does, more specifically what types of community projects did you participate in this year with Community Action?

At the beginning of the year, as a group we sat down and decided what we wanted Community Action to be. We set goals of what we wanted to achieve, for example, Global Outreach Mexico and Global Outreach Morocco. I participated in Global Outreach Mexico where I spent one week in Mexico helping build sidewalks with the community in Tijuana. I helped plan some of the G.O. Morocco trip but unfortunately I was unable to go due to work obligations. In addition, I went to one of my local schools in Providence and helped the kids make cards for servicemen in Iraq and games/cards for children who are hospitalized.

Can you tell me about the Global Outreach trip to Mexico and what the main reasons were for going to Mexico?

The main reason for going to Tijuana was to help build sidewalks in some of the less fortunate communities. In retrospect, most of us realized once we arrived, how life in Mexico really is. We gained a better understanding of how people live, and why so many people try to come to the United States. As a group, we now have a better awareness and understanding of how life is for some outside of America.

What was the highlight of your experience in Tijuana?

The best part of the trip was working directly with the community. When we arrived at one of the schools in the morning, parents were already waiting for us. I really admired them. Also, they were excited that we were there to help, and that we had come from so far to help them. It was great to see them smile. There was always a lunch prepared for us after work. In enjoyed being able to sit down and get to know the people of the community that we were helping.

How will this affect you in the future, in your career, personal life, etc.?

My life was greatly impacted by this trip. I have a better appreciation for what I have, and a greater desire to help others. During our visit, we got a chance to go in a factory that made parts of planes. We had a chance to meet the owner and ask him questions. As a business student, I know of outsourcing, but I was not aware of the specifics. The owner answered all of our questions. I learned what the benefits and disadvantages are to both the United States and the outsourced countries.