I finally had a meeting with Will from New Sanctuary Coalition!! It feels so good to finally be able to meet with someone and get my project into action. What I have realized throughout my Senior Project so far is that getting people to communicate and respond (especially people in non-profits is SOOOOO hard). I must have sent so many emails and called so many organizations and NONE of them replied. The only time an organization replied is when there was a connection in place. LREI has a connection with New Sanctuary Coalition and both Natalie and Josh interned there, therefore, I already had a foot through the door.
It makes me wonder: how do people who do not have connections get to make a difference and create change? I know for one thing they definitely need to work wayyyyyy harder. But the power of connections is not only scene in the project building world. I have especially seen it in the college admissions process. I had so many opportunities due to who my parents were. I am also lucky I get to go to an amazing school with an amazing alumni network so I can build up the connections I already have and hopefully make new ones!