Driving Down Park Street

I'm a retired English as a Second Language, or English as a New Language, elementary school teacher, so I am very aware about the situation with refugees. As I'm driving down Park Street on the north side of Syracuse, I see people with colorful clothing like I remember from teaching—it looks very beautiful, like a medley, but underneath it all, it's very difficult for them. They have to learn English. Within three months they must find a job, because they are no longer funded. Most have come from war-torn countries hoping for a better life here, but they also face many challenges here. Despite the hardship, they adjust and they learn, and they're truly the most wonderful and productive people. That's my inspiration.