Clara

The below interview is with Clara, one of the volunteers at the Westlake Community Table.

Ed-What do you do everyday when you're not at the table ?

Clara-I work at a performing arts school, I manage the website and do a bunch of other things for them--I’m also in Street Watch. 

Ed-Since you've been at the table have you seen things that you appreciate the table offers ? 

Clara-I like how that this table is genuinely a community gathering space compared to a lot of other orgs that come to the park, doing more charity while the table does mutual aid and actively connects with the people and build relationships with them--we don’t gatekeep ! I appreciate the people that volunteer here grew up in this area and live here, I am a transfer so I see that the people of this community are here to help their community, unlike gentifers in the space. 

Ed-What are some of the roles and repsobiltes you have had to take on while volunteering ? 

Clara-I hand food out to people and stay at the table, my capacity is limited, but I do like being here and helping out. 

Ed-So from the time you been here how would you say the table has to offer that makes this aid distinct from others ?

Clara--Right now volunteers are talking about structuring the team and helping improve this space--plans to increase efforts to help the community here, a community that is great to be around. 

Ed-What are some encounters you had with the people here at the park ? 

Clara-I don’t really remember specific conversations with people, yet I do appreciate seeing the regulars coming week to week and checking on them. I don’t really talk to the people here, I usually listen to conversations of other people. 

Ed-What is the general attitude and mood people come carrying while they're here at the table ?

Clara-I think all the regulars are super friendly and welcoming--this space feels to build more of a genuine relationship with the people here, talking about life and getting to know one another. 

Ed-What are your intentions at the table ? 

Clara-I am figuring that out still, currently I am more invested in street watch. I do appreciate seeing how these two groups are being run, with more people of color and local LA natives volunteering and leading the group. 

Ed-What Street Watch Local you in ?

Clara-I am in the Ktown local 

Ed-Doesn’t Street Watch have power tables ?

Clara--Street watch has power up tables, but not so much in Ktown cause Linh was coordinating the tables in the area. I usually come to this table often cause this is near me and the only power up table near Ktown.

Ed-In your own words, how would you describe the general motivation of the table volunteers ?

Clara-Building an actual working class black and brown lead movement in a way that I’m pretty new to in space, in a way I haven’t seen before.

Ed-Do you feel you have a connection with the people in the group ?

Clara-Everyone here has been super friendly and chill to hang out with, definitely a good group to be a part of.