Poem on Northside by Jasmine (Juice) Farmer

I never truly understood the meaning of community until I witnessed The Northside.
I knew the power of a village and the power of prayer,
But I had never been a part of a community more powerful, more stronger, & a place that seeped resilience more than the northside.
I only got to experience the power of this place for 3 years but northside raised me.
It took me in & showed me some of the best parts of myself.
Seeing the good parts, of course also lead to seeing the bad,
Healing the bad because,
There cannot be light without darkness.
I didn’t know what to expect, walking up to St. Joseph’s for the first time.
I had no clue that I would eat there, cry there, and if I’m being completely honest, even sleep there,
Love there, learn there, & build relationships that I believe have changed my life forever.
I grew up in the church but St. Joseph’s, was the first place that showed me that loving god and walking in his light meant way more than Sunday services and tithes and offering.
You had to work!
Sort through food down in the kitchen for the food ministry while giggling with Ms. Lilian and sharing stories with Mama Kat,
Walk down to Ms. Keith’s house and bother her for the 6th time this month,
Listen to community members vent about something you may not have a solution to,
But you would try to find one anyway.
You would listen anyway because the history in the northside is too much to ignore,
It’s too rich to walk away from.
It’s been almost 8 years since I’ve worked in the northside,
It’s been almost 8 years since I’ve walked into St. Joseph’s Church,
But the fact remains, I have never experienced a stronger community than the northside
And I am honored that it helped make me who I am.

Poem courtesy of and written by Jasmine (Juice) Farmer

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