Last Saturday, June 19th, I had my first experience working in the field with WeatherizeDC. A team of us went out to the Chevy Chase Farmers' Market to speak with people about weatherizing their homes. We also provided information about how to get involved with the organization and how to help D.C. form a more green, energy efficient economy.

As soon as we arrived, I saw the vibrant colors of the locally grown vegetables and flowers. I was also immediately struck by the delicious aromas of the fresh made waffles and paella drifting around the market. After vowing to discover if the food tasted as amazing as it smelled, I started to scan the area for potential people to talk with about WeatherizeDC.

I was nervous about approaching complete strangers on a Saturday morning while they were doing their weekly grocery shopping. Additionally, I have zero canvassing experience and I was worried that I would not be received well by others. However, I knew it was important for me to overcome these apprehensions because I wanted to be a part of a larger plan to educate the D.C. community about the numerous rewards of home weatherization.

My first conversation started with one of the local vendors, Richard, who was selling farm raised oysters. He was interested to hear about WeatherizeDC and our impact in the community. To my delight, he was interested in exchanging ideas about reducing the community's carbon footprint while also creating sustainable, local, green jobs. Our conversation ended on a high note, and I wrote down Richard’s information to contact him about future involvement opportunities. After one of our fellows, Leah, promised to return to Richard’s booth at the end of the day to buy oysters as a Father’s Day gift, I continued onward into the market to find more D.C. residents.

I spoke with many different people, and our conversations further convinced me that the mission of WeatherizeDC is both vital and achievable. I began to realize that this is what makes the organization so unique; it offers realistic solutions to the growing problems of carbon emissions and urban unemployment. It seems that almost every day I hear another story about investment into green job creation. WeatherizeDC offers the community the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in this green job formation because every time a community member elects to have their home weatherized, a demand in that job market is created.

My experience at the Chevy Chase Farmers' Market was more enjoyable and successful than I could have ever imagined! Other than the fact that I did not apply nearly enough sunscreen, the event was wonderful because it allowed me to educate and excite the community about WeatherizeDC.

The experience I had reminded me of something I heard in school a few years ago; which is that the best way to truly learn something is to teach it to others. I found this to be completely accurate because I also learned from each of my conversations about WeatherizeDC and its effect on our environment and local employment.  I am looking forward to attending future WeatherizeDC events where I can continue that dialogue that inspired me at the Chevy Chase Farmers' Market. I am also happy to report that the food at the farmers' market did not disappoint! I am still thinking about those astounding homemade waffles. Hopefully, at the next event I will see you there and we can enjoy the delicious food and progressive conversations together!