Baton Rouge - Town Hall

By Sister Simone Campbell, SSS

October 14, 2014

Because of dramatic weather conditions that caused travel delays I was the only Nun on the Bus in Baton Rouge. How I missed my Sisters. It really made me realize the invaluable nature of our community on the bus. I felt twice as responsible for hearing the stories of the people we met. First we went to Gardere district to a new organizing effort that focuses the efforts of volunteers to build up their neighborhood. We saw the tutoring and computer classes, and heard from residents what a difference people can make when they work together. Some of the volunteers told me that it was the Just Faith program in their parish that got them to ask what they could do to make a difference in their city. Seeing the relationships that have grown in a few short months delighted my heart.

This was followed by attending "Together Baton Rouge," an organizing effort coordinated in the Industrial Areas Foundation collaborative. They are working on many projects, but the one we heard about was the need for grocery stores in key areas. The lack of access to healthy, affordable food is creating a huge problem in Louisiana. It was noted that Louisiana has the highest obesity rate in the country, partially because of the lack of access to fresh foods. I was touched by the commitment of the people to change this reality in their city. They had already tackled issues of public transit and were working to improve the transit in order to get people to grocery stores, as well as getting more grocery stores into neighborhoods.

This interfaith organizing meeting was followed by our Town Hall for the 100%. There we heard about some particular Louisiana issues: education, predatory lending, and the need for civil discourse in our society—as well as the power of one person's vote when put together with others to make a movement. The engagement of a diverse audience was a wonderful example of We the People coming together for the common good. 

I will be VERY glad to catch up with our Sisters in New Orleans and not be the only "Nun on the Bus." It really makes a difference to have many who have ears to hear the stories of people. There is a huge hunger to be able to be seen and heard by another. The Bus has been a great "vehicle" for meeting this need. How sacred to be on this journey.