Last Monday, the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement held a panel to discuss the Port Richmond Partnership. Many of us packed into the room and attentively listened to what the panelists and guest speakers had to say in reference to their hopes and dreams for the neighborhood. It was truly inspiring listening to how passionate each panelist was discussing their hopes and dreams for the betterment of the neighborhood. Although I have lived on Staten Island all my life, I did not know about the neighborhood of Port Richmond that well. I found the presentation on the history of the neighborhood to be very interesting. I never realized what a cultural melting pot Port Richmond was due to the influx of immigrants. I would have never thought that Port Richmond was the center for immigration or even commerce. I was a little taken back to see how Port Richmond went from such a thriving, commerce filled area to a poor neighborhood.

I am happy that I attended this panel. It has extended my knowledge of this neighborhood as well as given me a sense of the area that I will soon be spending my time in as I work as a mentor for a student at Port Richmond High School. Having a background on the culture of the area will help me understand the perspective of my student. Background knowledge of the environment the student encounters on the daily basis will hopefully assist me in forming a bond and create a level of mutual understanding.