Statement of Purpose: Ten Strands continues to introduce its staff through statements of purpose that reveal the motivations and ambitions of their work. Today, we hear from Rachel Weisbrot, Ten Strands’ operations and program associate, whose environmental journey began with the impact of Hurricane Sandy on her community, sparking a passion for environmental activism to create lasting change.
Growing up, I spent my summers at a sleepaway camp nestled in rural Connecticut. I cherished every second I got to be at what I thought was the most special place in the world. My memories of playing games, hiking, participating in camp traditions, and building friendships with the backdrop of a beautiful lake and forest will last a lifetime. I was also an imaginative child, ignited by nature and the freedom to explore. Every day, my friends and I would traverse a stream to access our secret hideaway. These summers sparked the beginning of my love for nature.
While I was in high school, my area of the northeastern United States was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. That was one of the first storms I remember being so destructive in my area. After the hurricane, I signed up with a group of my classmates to collect and distribute food and water to one of the coastal towns that was hit hardest. In addition to spending time in nature, giving back to my community is another area of my life that instills in me a great sense of hope and fulfillment.
Little did I know back then that the frequency and intensity of storms would only grow larger due to climate change. Still, at the time I knew I wanted to change the negative trajectory by making a difference at my school.
My passion for the environment extended into college, where I studied environmental science and joined my school’s environmental club. I participated in community cleanups, helped coordinate a composting program, worked on an organic farm, and advanced a project to minimize waste on campus. Making progress on these initiatives certainly wasn’t without its obstacles, but it reaffirmed the importance of building a community around this work.
I now look upon youth climate activists and am inspired by their determination to raise awareness about climate change and make life better for future generations. Many of them have foregone the “typical” daily routine of a teenager in their roles as climate activists because they’ve felt the effects of climate change firsthand. They have no other choice.
I believe that each one of us has a responsibility to tend to our environment and community. Every child should be able to grow up and experience nature in a carefree way. That’s why ensuring every student has access to environmental education within a healthy school building is so important—to give them the skills to pass on a better world to the next generation.
In my free time, I still enjoy spending time in nature in my newfound state of California. I’m constantly amazed at the diverse geography found across the region, from wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert to the gigantic trees of Sequoia National Park. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to explore these landscapes.
As I look toward the future, I know that there is a lot more work to be done. Still, as I am reflecting on my own statement of purpose and reading through other stories from the Ten Strands team, I’m filled with a sense of hope that each of us has the potential to make a deep impact.
