unPAC'ing Ourselves & Society, Part 2: Activism

This is Part 2 in our series about "class," a series created for Asian Americans. We will be participating in activism opportunities that challenge class systems. This will take place over the course of five weeks, leading up to Part 3. Previously, we talked about our relationship to class, why talking about it makes us comfortable, and how class intersects with our Asian identity.

Choose one (or more) of the volunteering opportunities, listed below. Be sure to name the opportunity you're registering for, so facilitators can plan accordingly:

1. Citizens Service Bureau on Wednesday, January 21 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual opportunity, link TBD) (up to 6 people can register)
   Underfunded neighborhoods disproportional have more broken street lights, potholes, and fast speed limits. If you want to learn how you can report these things, and more, to the city to demand they be addressed, this virtual event is for you! We will learn how to call and sending online reports to the Citizens Service Bureau. Please come prepared with an issue you'd like to report and the location of the issue (ex. Cross streets).
   Facilitator Present: Summer
2. St. Louis Free Store on Sunday, January 18 @ 12PM - 3 PM at 3022 Cherokee Street (up to 6 people can register)
   The St. Louis Free Store challenge our current relationship to consumerism. Our current linear economy relies upon the over-extraction of raw materials, production of goods, and the premature disposal of goods. As a result, some people discard usable possessions for new or different ones while others do without. The St Louis Free Store redistributes quality items from those who don’t use them to people who will. In this way, the work promotes a circular economy of shared goods and embodies values of equity, mutual aid, and sustainability. We ask at least 1 hour of your time if you choose to volunteer here.
   Facilitator Present: Rorke
3. "Home Sweet Home" on Jan 28th @ 9:00AM-11:30PM at 10 Sunnen Dr #100, Maplewood, MO 63143 (up to 5 people can register)
   What makes a house, a home? How do we support under-served communities in creating spaces that stable and comfortable? "Home Sweet Home," tackles these questions and more, offering individuals and families in need a chance at building or rebuilding a home, one gently-used household item at a time. As such, during this volunteering opportunity, we'll learn about providing dignity to folks transitioning out of homelessness, or other crisis situations, what it means to run/participate in a "furniture bank," and what does the term "home essentials" mean? We'll meet at the building entrance. Volunteer shift will consist of sorting and organizing incoming donations, cleaning and testing items, and restocking the warehouse floor for clients to choose from. Up to 5 participants are allowed.
   Facilitator Present: Marie

Other opportunities, but a facilitator will not be present:

Advocating for Transit
Many folks who have mobility issues or do not have access to a car have a much harder time getting to important doctor's appointments, school, work, and community-building events. RAISE Transit is a movement of riders advocating for inclusive, safe and equitable transit! They are a self-governed, independent community coalition of riders and allies advocating to make our public transit system safe, modern, equitable, and inclusive. Join their Zoom call to advocate for more equitable transportation

When/if a volunteering opportunity has reached it's maximum participants, we'll leave a message below.

At the end of this, we'll meet for Part 3, in February, and reflect on what we've learned. Continue to ask yourself: "How can I advocate for other people or challenge class systems?"