The fact that ten weeks have come and gone in and of itself is quite a surprise to me. It feels like only a few days ago that I was reading an email from my Professor encouraging me to apply for this internship. In these ten weeks I have had the privilege of observing and being a part of a very unique organization in a neighborhood that is as diverse as they come. From the facade renovations to the mural project and the youth arts programs, OAPA has found a way to touch the lives of almost everyone who lives in Old Allentown. One of the mixed blessings of a neighborhood with so many people from so many walks of life is that very rarely, if ever, will everyone see eye to eye on much of anything. Although many consider this a stumbling block, to me this is one of the greatest things about the neighborhood. Very few places, especially in Pennsylvania, will you find a neighborhood with so many cultures, personalities and opinions. One of my tasks in my time here was to disperse, collect and tabulate the Elm Street Survey. One of the things that stood out to me was how people who live so close to each other could have such differing perceptions of the neighborhood that they live in. Almost every question received responses that were all across the board. The only exception being that almost everyone seemed to want a bakery, so it seems there is something that everyone can agree on.
I will definitely miss the unique personality of this neighborhood. From the Victorian architecture, to the culture influence of the Latino community, the mix is not one that I have found anywhere else that I've been.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do, well." After being a part of Old Allentown for ten weeks I think my final observation is there is a good thing going on here. Keep doing what you are doing, and this historic district will continue to prosper as a unique and diverse neighborhood. I am grateful for the time that I have had here and the lessons that I have learned.
-Adam Labs
I will definitely miss the unique personality of this neighborhood. From the Victorian architecture, to the culture influence of the Latino community, the mix is not one that I have found anywhere else that I've been.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do, well." After being a part of Old Allentown for ten weeks I think my final observation is there is a good thing going on here. Keep doing what you are doing, and this historic district will continue to prosper as a unique and diverse neighborhood. I am grateful for the time that I have had here and the lessons that I have learned.
-Adam Labs
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