My First Two Months at AFIRE

"We learn with each other." I am holding this simple and small phrase tightly these days as I settle into my place on staff at AFIRE. As the Interim Executive Director, I am learning many things from community members, AFIRE staff and board members, partner organizations, funders, and neighbors. We learn with each other. I saw this phrase on a poster here from Just Seeds, and the people walking in the trees underneath the stars gave me pause. We also have much to learn from the earth around us, from the soil, the trees, the clouds, the wind. The elements that have survived for generations through harsh seasons and abundant seasons, droughts and overflowing floods. We learn with each other, so we can survive with each other.

Especially in this time under the Trump administration, we learn with each other, we share questions, we create the answers, and we take action together. For me, I am learning how our Citizenship Workshops function from Noel and our amazing volunteers. I am learning about the spirited AFIRE delegations to Springfield from Kaya as we prepare to launch the legislative agenda with the PAVE coalition. I am learning about organizing with domestic workers and the power we have to ensure their rights are upheld and protected. I am learning about the GoldenAgers from Tita Vangie and ways we honor our elders. I am learning about AFIRE's frameworks for systems of oppression and the fight for collective liberation from Marilou Mariko. I am learning about AFIRE's rich and important history from Tina, Abbey, and Mark.  And most of all, I am learning about the incredible strength and power of this passionate, bright, welcoming community you all have created here at AFIRE. And I know we will continue building community through current and future struggles, through fear and uncertainty, through wins and losses. 

I look forward to meeting you and learning with you at upcoming AFIRE events, including our Seeding AFIRE gatherings in March and April.

In solidarity,

Rachel Lyons

Interim Executive Director