Jessica Park

Jessica Park

I have been a Beacon member for 10 years and currently serving on the board as vice president. When I think about the Beacon community, I think about friendships, support, fun and service. In other words, when I think about Beacon my heart fills with love and gratitude.

I’ve met many wonderful people and formed strong friendships. It has also been so much fun to be a Beacon member. We have had lots of laughter at numerous social gatherings, took really fun classes like belly dancing and this past year, fabulous desserts came showing up on our door step! (They were brought to us by a dessert fairy named Emilie.)

Beacon has been a source of comfort and support as well. This past year, my family was dealing with a very difficult situation and Beacon community was there for us with encouragement and love.

Among all the wonderful gifts I’ve received from Beacon, what I treasure most is that Beacon inspires me to live out my values through service to others and provides numerous opportunities to do so.

Let me tell you about some of them.

Over the last several years, I’ve been part of the Chancellor Avenue team to work with the dedicated educators and students at the Chancellor Avenue School. I have volunteered as an after-school tutor, organized and played at game nights, manned a booth at spring festivals, painted and decorated the library and the teachers’ lounge. Each smile and nod of appreciation from students and teachers makes me feel like I belong there and brings me so much joy. I can’t wait for the pandemic to end so that I can see them again.

I’ve also been involved with Summit Warm Hearts by cooking hot meals to provide for those most in need, the Summit’s houseless folks. Through Neighborhood Beacon, I got to buy gift cards from Irvington restaurants and distribute to Chancellor Avenue families for a much needed special meal.

Lately I’ve been working as a trustee on Beacon Hope & Equity Center. As our first project, we donated funds to several worthy community organizations to fulfill their missions. I was impressed and inspired by many community organizers I met during the process.

I am also proud to be a member of a congregation that passed the 8th principal. I’m looking forward to learning more about racism and doing anti-racism work.

All these opportunities that Beacon has provided have truly nourished my soul and allows me to live out my values and I’m deeply grateful for that.