What it Means to Volunteer at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Verneida I. Britton

The following is the script (unedited) for a presentation to teacher about volunteerism:

It is a honor for me this evening to share my story about what volunteering means to me. To volunteer here at the FC. has become a part of who I am. My purpose to share epic stories about our history and the importance of everyone's freedom from the Past to the Present.

I feel as through I was there at the conception of the dream to build an UGR museum. Because my son who was a staff member used me as a sounding board around the importance of building the museum. I saw the beginning of the labor pains at ground breaking. Then the wonderful birthing August 21, 2004 when the door opened to the public.


The dream came about because of racial unrest in our city around 92-93. Talk with Chip Harrod who was the dreamer and President of the NCCJ now call Bridges which is housed here at the FC. The FC stories are needed now even more than ever. Whenever our economy is at low-tide in pain it begins to bring out those old rooted slavery beliefs about one another. Beliefs that were never healed after the civil war. Beliefs that continue to fester and resurface whenever the country is in economic pain.

Being a retired teacher, ggrandmother, AA women I truly understand the importance of the NUGRFC and Volunteering. For our Freedom Stories are omitted from our school books and seldom discussed in our homes.

Looking back when I first became a volunteer around 2002 Candice Simmons who was a volunteer herself was the FC Volunteer Coordinator. She brought many of us aboard as volunteer to attend events to represent the FC. During those times the black community thought we were building a white museum. The white community believed we were building a black museum a lot of confusion and misunderstanding during those times and volunteering was truly crucial.

Then in 2003 I was interviewed by Chris Shires to become a docent to attend a six month training class. We had over 90 passionate individuals men & women from every diverse background. I am proud to mention that there are about 15-20 active volunteers from 2003. (raise hands)

You see this building was built from love, passion and commitment a belief for a better city, country and world were everyone can live in harmony and respect. Although our back is to the city which has not fully embraced us as of yet. We face the river because of our Freedom Light that the F.Seekers sought as the crossed the O.R while many called it the Jordan River. This building is built on the site once called little Africa. A community of Free Blacks. Many of the men worked on the river docks and were freedom conductors. The Ohio R was not as wide or deep as it is today during institution of Slavery. Then during Jan. and Feb. the river could freeze and you could walk across it. Cinti. was just a stone throw away from the South (Ky.) Ohio became a free state by only one vote in 1803 by 1804 Black Laws were placed on the Ohio Law Books.

I don't know how to emphasize the importance of Volunteering & NUGRFC concerning our Freedom hero's stories. I know there are enormous operating expenses along with educational programing. I also know that learning and healing goes hand in hand and is an on going process. To bring about healing to any festered wounds from slavery and C.W takes lLOVE, COURAGE, COOPERATION AND PERSERVANCE.

Healing and Learning begins with an open Heart willing to Listen, Learn and Share the great stories told here at the Freedom Center. I am so very proud to be one of the very many VOLUNTEERS here at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

T Y