Communities I Belong To:
-church
-family house
-Little Village (South Lawndale)

My Church
The church located in the heart of the neighborhood, has bells that ring so grandly at the start of mass, stretching to be heard all around. Inside its constructed elaborately with wood ans marble walls and furnishing. The church is bordered with a gold colored trim all around the walls floors and dome.  The people inside are from all similar stories, hardworking men and women, mothers, children, babies roam around, the elderly and the religious leaders. All come to worship and practice their faith. All the church-ees accept all who wish to open their heart and mind to the church. This community listens intently for an hour straight and then head to their homes, ones role is too just open up relate to the fathers words and take something back home, to the neighborhood and the world. This community belongs to me because i was born into it all were brought young to church and expected to go back setting an example and continuing this tradition.

La Casa
The house is a tall four story building, from the entrance you see neatness with flowers garden in front. As you pass two grand doors you enter the first floor, our floor. The walls of each room area painted of all different colors. All solid  walls adorned with frames of art, family and achievements.There is always a smell of food that mama cooks. Its always busy inside the house from the radio played in both Spanish and another in English, with pots clanging, books dropping, tv. playing and everything. La casa as everyone calls it is welcoming to all, guests are always treated with a meal and conversation. Everyone in the household is friendly and open they are no closed doors and communication is key. I am part of this community because I was raised her and know no other home. There's always something to look forward when coming back. Its just the most welcoming place I know and I love the house.

Little Village ... the hood
The hood as known by all the young people in this neighborhood is not always the best place to live in or walk around, but they all know it as home. Little Village thrives with culture dominantly Hispanic, it's a loud environment in the street that cuts through the hood. 26th street is a busy-town with many grocery stores, fashion stores, food and restaurants, all brighten the street with lights many businesses blast music outside to further make a walk down 26th street more lively. Outside the fun and illuminating street of culture; is the not so nice part. The outskirts of Little Village are trashed with junk, dirty and being plagued by the gangs of the hood. Two gangs cover both halves of the hood making it more into territory war and center for violence. The adults live in fear for their young ones, they all expect a new child falling into the thug life, but when we see a young bright child who looks forward to leaving and then coming back to help he is the talk between the neighbors and respected.  Everyone is expected to respect the elderly and adults. Why I am part of this community is because I was born into Little Village, you cannot exactly leave it forever you have ties with family, friends and everyone. Although you have to live alert and have a small fear I have been accustomed to the noise and news. Whenever I visit an different neighborhood and its not colorful and as lively I miss home. Silence is awkward to me and Little Village is my hood, my home.