This stretch of Washington Blvd. is lined with 3-story brick flats and large apartment buildings. As I crossed the street, I came upon a swooping, concave building with a wall of tinted glass windows. There are arrows chalked on to the sidewalk directing visitors to the double-door entrance.

As I walked through the hallways and to the auditorium, at least five people shook my hand and greeted me with a smile. Two of the greeters introduced themselves by name, and asked me for my name as well. Another one of the greeters explained to me that the events usually take place in their gym. However, due to a recent flood in the gym, they were temporarily relocating to the space I was entering.

And an impressive space it was. It the was the library which serves the high school that is run by this organization. This library had a loft layout: high ceilings, modern light fixtures, an exterior wall with floor-to-ceiling windows that opened to a sunny courtyard containing a small playground for children.

Later on in the event, a group of people visiting from Nebraska were recognized by a speaker at the front stage. He mentioned an initiative called The Compassion Experience, which was some sort of intercultural exchange program, with the goal of spending a day in the life of someone from a different culture.

In fact, there were multiple references to events that involved promoting reconciliation and understanding between people from different races. This is the first time so far in my journey when racial reconciliation was explicitly stated as an organization’s goal.

The journey continues in the Austin neighborhood on the west side, at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Parkside.

Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: http://www.bensound.com/

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