Lacorya Signing Out with a Poem of Appreciation

Today is bittersweet as it marks my final day at Community Spring. Looking back, it has been an absolute privilege to grow with this organization, first as a fellow and now as the Communications Manager. In honor of this incredible journey, I’ve shared a poem below, along with a few reflections on my time here.

P.S. I also put together a video to look back on these memories. Check it out here!

For I am a sunflower and Community Spring is my sun

The sun sets and as it does

She wraps herself around me like a blanket

Everlasting warmth consumes me

Gratitude permeating from my being

My soul radiates with love

But at last I must say goodbye

The sun sets quickly and calmly

Leaving its warmth behind with me

And as I look at the sun seeping beyond the horizon

I remember everything she has given me

When I first met the sun,

I was only a seed, not yet a sprout

Sodden and unable to breathe

Fearing decay before I could grow

Too heavy and drenched to move

But then the sun came, shining bright as ever

She held me closely, became my cheerleader

You got this, the sun would say

And somehow her warmth revived me

Out I came from the shell that suffocated me

I was rich as could be

Yes, my green leaves and me

And the sun and I became so close,

I couldn’t imagine a life without her

There would be times where it would rain so hard

My leaves would feel so heavy like they would come right off

But the sun was still there, shining bright on me

And for the first time, the rain didn’t bother me

Mrs. Sun helped me turn into a bud

I would follow her wherever she would take me

I grew and I grew and one day I just knew

My bloom would be coming shortly

But I was still uncertain

What if I was ugly?

What if my petals were droopy?

What if my leaves became dry and crispy?

But Mrs. Sun would not take any of that talk

“Don’t let uncertainty keep you from your destiny,”

She would say and then wrap herself around me

So I listened to the sun, and I continued to grow

I grew so tall, I thought it might’ve been impossible

But I wasn’t afraid of any wind or any rain

I wasn’t afraid of my petals being droopy or my leaves being dry

And before I even knew it, I was in full bloom

My petals were bright, it was such a lovely sight

The bees came and pollinated me

The raindrops felt warm on my petals

The wind could not knock me down

I watched as the other flowers bloomed around me

And they became my family

But right now, the sun is setting

And it’s not her saying goodbye

She has made me grow in ways I never thought to be true

So thank you sun for everything

But now I must say adieu

Thank you, Community Spring, for everything.

I started here in 2021, turning 19 shortly after joining the fellowship. At the time, I was at one of the darkest points in my life, even needing to be hospitalized for my mental health during my second week. Despite that, Community Spring welcomed me back with open arms.

During my time as a fellow, I grew in ways I never thought possible. My cohort gave me a completely new perspective on different walks of life. Lindsay and Max introduced me to policy work, teaching me valuable lessons that I still carry with me today. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could actually make a difference in the world.

After my fellowship, I left to finish my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Before I even graduated, Lindsay reached out to ask if I would return as the Communications Coordinator. Of course, I said yes! I had fallen in love with communications work during my fellowship and had even done an internship during my final year of university.

So, in 2023, I officially stepped into the role. One of my very first projects, which I am very proud of, was a bus advertisement. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at first, but Lindsay trusted me enough to figure it out, and I did. I am so grateful for that room to explore and expand my skillset.

In 2024, I was promoted to Communications Manager, and that’s when things really took off. I launched our monthly newsletter, and we began navigating a rebrand to shift our focus from broad poverty to the intersection of poverty and mass incarceration. As someone not directly impacted by the justice system, I worried I wouldn't be able to bring enough value to this new chapter. But the team quickly reassured me that my perspective was a valuable asset, regardless of my personal background.

Doing such meaningful work alongside such amazing people has been a true gift. I am so grateful to Lindsay and Max for fostering such a collaborative, authentic environment. Thank you to my coworkers for all the laughs and heartfelt moments, and to everyone who participated in our storytelling workshops and trusted us with their stories. You have all left a lasting mark on my heart.