Residents were asked, “Please share a story, idea, personal experience, or something you’ve witnessed that will help future generations understand what it was like to live through and cope with 2020.“ Explore 50 responses below, selected at random. Which responses capture your attention? (Some responses were transcribed by youth volunteers.) To learn more about the storyteller and how they interpreted their response, click “Zoom In.”
#16
Mrs martha moody is 90 years young and she lives alone in a senior retirement community. Her next door neighbor takes really good care of her.her closest relative is her nephew and he lives in vero beach.the virus has denied her the willingness to worship at first presbyterian church for all of 40 years. She receives meals from the senior care program of cdc. She thinks the day will come when this virus leaves and take alot more citizens with it. Mrs martha also hopes that the policemen are reckoned with all over when they do horrible things to blacks….
#FedYEC2020 (Story #96)
Can go out with my family like we used to and everytime we do go out we are scared that were going to get the virus
Scary timeline!
It is was and still is hard time in daily way of life , whenever you go idea of COVID-19 infection is in back of your mind !!! Scared and unsure about what could be if you do get it and spread it to your parents or family .
The Kids
This has been crazy being stuck at home. I think my kids have had it hardest bc they can’t see their friends or really participate in any activities. The food distributions and community feedings have been awesome. It saves some money from the limited funds that are no longer coming in.
No Help
I am disabled and don’t drive. This mess has really got to me I don’t drive and they don’t deliver food or meds here so its been real hard to get stuff when I need it. I can’t even get to the dr or vet for my service dog.
#18 SHE HAS WORKED IN THE HOMES OF THE WEALTHY
Mrs geneva wilkins and her husband have lived in boynton for about 46 years. There homes sits on a corner with a well-manicured lawn.they are of low- imcome but you will never kmow it. She worked in the homes of the wealthy and there was never a penny taken from her pay for social security benefits. This has happened to many black helps all over. Mrs wilkins feels that cannot take the risk.she has loss alot during this pandemic not able to cook and people come and purchase her food. Mr wilkins tries to have rummage sales on the weekends…
#21 tHE UNREST HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING:
Ms mildred schley is a native of boynton beach. She is a mother to 4 sons and 1 daughter. She now lives with her daughter,jane. Jane teaches at congress middle school. Her oldest son suffers with many health concerns and he is in and out of the hospital.ms schley believes that the unrest has been a long time coming in the black community. She mentions that the baby boomers failed this generation by not standing and staying steadfast to the cause .
#8 I DIDN’T THINK I WOULD LIVE TO BE 86 YEARS OF AGE
I am yvonne fisher. I didn’t think i would live to be 87 years of age. After battling covid19,a few months ago. I spent five(5) days at bethesda west. This virus still has me weak. Mrs fisher has lots of energy to burn. But due to covid19,she is temporarily using a walker for daily exercis. She is a fighter and she has many grandchildren to raise in new york. This lady was use to driving home to new york for family reunions.mrs fisher has a 31 year old chef for a grandson that lives in miami. He shops and prepares…
A different kind of year
The year 2020 will definitely be one to remember. So much happened and so many life lessons were learned. I personally have learned to appreciate life way more. I don’t take anything for granted anymore. We lost so many people this year and lived in a way that we’ve only seen in movies.
Live in the present!
Never take life for granted. 2020 changed drastically within a month, due to Covid 19.
#14 (Story #53)
Mary jane planter is an 85 year old working at bethesda east in the cafeteria. She enjoys spending time with her son and his family.ms planter feels that the injustice seen all around the united states is a disregard for human life. No wonder,people are marchung and singing they have every right to…This is bad!
One Day at A Time
My name is Kim. With this Pandemic I’ve experienced ups/downs/frustration/aggravation/ but most of all how to pray more. I can’t say that I’m 100% back to normal I just try and deal wit this COVID day by day. It took a toll on me in the beginning my anxiety level went sky high. I can say that it was a learning experience on how to better prepare for the worst. I do believe It will help me better in the future with patience for many people.
Living with Faith 2020
2020 has been a journey alittle challenging but I’m making it through by the grace of God I’m thankful for his grace and mercy I did have covid back in June but I made it through it was a little tough for 2 days and after that I was good so yes I am a covid-19 survivor…. my God is able
7
Continue to focus and Educate Yourself no matter how bad it may seem.
Stereotypes
As a black male i have definitely felt over powdered by the system even though i was a good kid i was stereotyped because i had dreads
#AnneYEC2020 (Story #110)
Not being able to work full time at work but I stay positive and willing to do anything for my health
COVID-19
I now social distance in my everyday life my daughter didn’t have a graduation and she and i were both upset about about it. So many things were canceled for her
MAKING IT WORK, DURING CHALLENGING TIMES NUMBER 10+
My Personsal experience after losing 100% of my small Fitness business, I intially started to shutdown and feel slightly depressed. After about 2 weeks of just sitting around the house doing nothing (except trying to apply for unemployment). and not going out. I knew that I could not continue on this path. I started reaching out to my contracted business partners offering to partner together to conduct online classes, with them as the financial supporter. At that time, I was familiar with ZOOM platform, but had not never created or hosted an event or meeting myself. I took time to…
Covid Affects
Because of the covid situation I, I have been forced to move out of my home due to the lack of steady income. I went from making $800 a week to $350 every two weeks. I have went from a stable home to not knowing where i’m going to sleep every night. It has really been tough because I have 4 kids that depend on me. Ages 11, 10, 7 and 9 months. Due to the fact that I don’t have reliable transportation, its makes it even harder to find a better job or resources that can help me climb…
#4 THERE WERE NO GUNS
Julia frazier was born right here in boynton beach in december of 1946. Things were great! They were so different. We were taught if you see an adult …You speak. If someone grown in the neighborhood say you did something…Well guess what you did it..If you disputed an elder you got a whipping!There were no guns,loud music and if you saw an elder you said… Yes ma’am or no ma’am when they asked you a question.
The Times
Ive witnessed several events throughout 2020 that will forever be in or memories. Between the Pandemic and the Police murders of unarmed black men and civilians, it a lot to deal with and understand. I think what will help future generations is us explaining to them the past the present and get them to understand what it takes to make change in the future. We all learn from experiences and I think it teaches the younger generation to get and be more involved and active, i think they will understand better how to speak up for what they feel is…
Unemployment
Living through 2020 was a wake up call. The things I thought i was doing that was important really wasnt so important at all.Unemployment has hit America hard.
READ
Working with young boys who think that sports are the only thing in the world. Watching them experience that sports can be gone in a second and education will always be an option.
#2020coronavirus
My job is slow ever since the coronavirus occurred
Blessing
What I witness is people who are truly in need and just being able to help out and give to others is just a blessing. You start realizing that your problem are nothing.
grateful to God and life for one more opportunity
2020 a year with much to tell. where you realized that life is the most beautiful thing that God has given us where we learned to be more human where we realized that it does not matter the title, position or how high it is when the virus Attack no position, we learned that life can go away in an instant definitely a difficult year all change if we are still counting being here alive let us thank God and strength for all those who lost a family member I wish for all that 2021 be …
2020 gone BAD
2020 has been a horrific year.
#1
One of the most tragic and scary is the fact that we cannot visit loved ones. Loved ones that are in hospitals dying,dis-eased and families that cannot lay their eyes on those that are hospitalized.
La vida de las madre
Me quede sin trabajo me toco se maestra de mi hija y no se ingles mi hija ni copera y se ponen muy agresiva cuando esta en las clase por zoom yo estoy muy frustrada trato de hacer la limpieza diaria pero ni se puede con los niños y las clase para completar tengo que estar buscando a alguien que me acompañe a la tienda cuando necesito algo porque no puedo bajar a los nene por cuidarlo a vece puedo ordenar en linea pero no siempre porque piden mínimos y la situacion no esta para malgastar. Mi papa esta muy…
Never
Seven months into 2020 and it feels like seven life times. 2020 is a year that needs its on history book just for the first seven months and several editions for the remaining five months. I never imagined in 2020 I would bury my father. I never imagined we would be walking around with face mask on or wearing gloves due to a virus with no cure. I never imagined that a man by the name of George Floyd would bring the whole world to their feet and scream JUSTICE!! I never thought people would burn down…
#2020 (Story #88)
Something I’ve witnessed in 2020 is riots and people dying because of in COVID-19
#2020 #covid-19
In 2020 coronavirus cases went up I even know someone personally that tested positive for corona.
Children displaced.
During this time the hardest time was being away from my children. Due to me having to work and there being no Child care, being responsible I had to send my children to Georgia to have adequate care daily. Working pushes me out of my home for 8 hours sometimes 9 and it would be unfair for them to stay home alone.
#10 I AN STILL WORKING FROM HOME
Biana jones is 89 years of age. She was the only black florist in and around the tri-county area for many years. She thought it was a privilege to be that african-american women entrepreneur. Although ,she has had some struggles the floral orders are not always like those in other communities. It has been a blessed experience. I am still working from my home i have osteoporosis but i keep moving. Mrs jones has two(2) sons living with her that assist with her in-home business.
#25 (Story #49)
Mrs everlene baker is a native of boynton beach. She is so glad that god has allowed her to see 73 years of age on june 24th. She is a mother to angie,53 yrs old. Who teaches at lake worth high school . She is also her mother’s caregiver. Everlene has suffered from two(2) strokes in the past five(5) years.everlene feels this virus was an act of god due to all the wickedness in the owrld . She believe we must take heed and magnify his name and trust and obey his word.
#18 THE YOUTH ARE TIRED OF PROMISES NOT BEING FULFILLED
Claretha light is has been in boynton beach since a little girl. She was raised by her father coming from georgia. She is a petite lady and is 84 years of age.she feels like this has been happening to blacks for as long as she can remember. The killings by cops is the new lynching,tar and feathering. I just don’t know if it will ever stop. We have been marching since martin luther king,jr. The youth of today,we have failed them! The youth are tired of promises not being fulfilled.
“El 2020 cambio mi vida”
Este año sin duda quedara en la historia,muchas cosas an cambiado personalmente esta pandemia nos a afectado mucho ami familia y ami. Me enferme de tanto estres se me empezo a caer el pelo a puños algo que nunca me habia pasado me preocupe fui al doctor y me dieron medicamento oara el estres pero me mantenia dirmida, decidi no tomar nada solo hacer calma poco a poco empese a mejorar, pero todo se empeoro otraves cuando comenzaron las clases de mis hijos, fue cun cambio muy grande para ellos yo tuve que dejar de trabajar para estar con ellos…
Together
I personally seen my church help out tons of people every week with a good pantry . I feel like we all have to think about others in the pandemic. And we will overcome it by the grace of God
#25 (Story #16)
I am a small business owner and had to shut down because I sell food. It was hard to take care of my family without being able to run my business. I ended up closing down.
#13
Mrs pearl is a 79 year old native of boynton beach. She has recently suffered the lost of her husband. She is a retired nurse and she says she is adjusting to living alone. The one thing mrs wilson would like to share with the younger generation. That it has not been easy at times being african-american when it comes to credit,housing,cars and jobs. She advises them to stay in school and get a decent education.
#9
PAULA GRAHAM IS A 64 YEAR OLD.SHE IS CURRENTLY SEPARATED FROM HER HUSBAND OF MANY YEARS. SHE IS ALSO UNDER HOUSING AND HAS A WELL-DECORATED APARTMENT.MRS GRAHAM WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BOYNTON BEACH. THE IDEA OF WEARING A FACE MASK HAS REALLY BEEN ASTONISHING TO HER. THIS COVID19 IS KILLING PEOPLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE YOUTH JUST DON’T CARE ABOUT THIS DISASTROUS VIRUS. i JUST CAN’T SEEM TO GET OVER PEOPLE IN BOYNTON HAVING TO WEAR A MASK.
Adapt
Living in 2020 was different and everyone had to adapt to the change quickly.
#14 (Story #51)
Virginia bulger has been living in boynton beach all her life. She lives in the home of her mother where she was actually born some 83 years ago. She is a descendant of the bahamas. She has been a member of the church of god-boynton beach for life. She firmly believes that god has been angered and we need to abide and listen to him. There is not one thing that man can do or knows regarding this virus.
#11 I AM VERY FRUSTRATED
Mrs jean sliwa is a 79 years young. When i called her,she was just getting home from having wine with her friends. Mrs sliwa loves life! She says that what her mad is that while she takes daily walks at ocean park in boynton beach. She is approached by those that don’t think that mask are of importance. But,i do and they are endangering my life. With the black lives matters, i am appalled at the treatment that is handed down on people of color. It is very frustrating.
My grandkids
The pandemic has put me in a position that i cant see most of my grandchildren because of the virus.
Starting My Business
2020 has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and start my business so that I have multiple streams of income
Survive
It is difficult times for all because many people dying.I have my mother with me and I have to give her support and take care of her.Praying for all that God helped us.
Stay woke
I believe that 2020 was planned and everything that is going on nobody has any care for the poor. Its just the beginning wait until they start trying to inject us
Slowed down
2020 put me in a bad position. I was trying to look for a stable place to stay but with the whole virus going on things are slowed down
Surviving the Pandemic
Its been hard living thru 2020, if not the deaths all over the country, its been the virus which has taken so many innocent lives, then theres people struggeling to get by with all the businesses closing, food banks running empty everyday, the propaganda with the government, not wanting to help financially, ? Stimulus, and people out robbing homes, people on streets, and then theres people waiting to see what loved ones will survive , waiting on the vaccine, im 59 yrs old, i do not remember a year in my life were i was so afraid wondering if my…
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