Issue link: http://ihouse.uberflip.com/i/196452
Tragedy Transformed: I-House Friends help alumna Monique Porsandeh (IH 2007-08) On February 24, 2013, Monique Porsandeh and another pedestrian were crossing the intersection of Green & Fillmore Streets in San Francisco, when they were struck by a reckless driver, who did not stop to help them. The accident left Monique in critical condition, with life-threatening injuries. Since that terrible night, Monique has re-learned how to sit, stand, and walk after several months of intensive rehabilitation, and has undergone extensive therapy to help regain her cognitive skills after the brain injury. She hopes that through all of her hard work, she will be able to recover from her physical and neurological injuries, and continue on to graduate school in the cognitive neuroscience field. Monique lived at I-House from 2007 to 2008, and—in a typical I-House way—the friends she made then are supporting her now. One of her friends' major efforts was an awareness-raising rally in San Francisco in July. The rally served not only to help raise funds to help cover Monique's medical bills but also to publicize the plight of pedestrian victims in San Francisco. Critical to this effort was a video segment about Monique's story Monique's friends created signs and wore that was televised on I-House T-shirts for a show of unity at the rally. NBC Bay Area news, narrated by anchor Diane Dwyer, a member of the I-House Board of Directors. Monique's story has shocked and saddened all who heard about it. Her I-House friends, including current resident Mahendra Prasad (IH 2007-14), Sunny Lai (IH 2007-09), Nicholas Stephanopoulos (IH 2005-07), and Jacob LaBay (IH 2006-09), have created a fundraising website to help pay off her mounting medical bills, as she still requires extensive surgery, rehabilitation, and medical care. Throughout this ordeal Monique has maintained a positive attitude, and a determination to use her plight to bring good to the world, by raising awareness about pedestrian safety, and pushing for better enforcement of the laws concerning such crimes and advocacy for victims. Her efforts have included an appearance before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee. Monique after On September 19, 2013, Monique held a months of intensive fundraiser at the Vessel Night Club in San rehabilitation. Francisco, and committed to donating 10% of the door cover charges to I-House to improve accessibility to people with ambulatory disabilities. For the latest updates on Monique's recovery and advocacy, visit youcaring.com/helpmoniqueheal. Monique is grateful for all the support of "Team Monique" and her extended I-House family. n Letter From...Erin Andrews (IH 1989-91) "Sweetness in Seattle" What do I-House and my career have in common? More than you may imagine! At Berkeley I studied Economics and English, with a minor in Business. However, it was International House that fostered my curiosity for travel and respect for different cultures. Living at I-House taught me that working with people from various backgrounds enriches the experience. Everyone at UC Berkeley knows how to work hard - and taking chances is often what pulls us through. Six years ago, during a trip to Belize with my sister Margaret Andrews (who also called I-House home) and our families, I decided to teach my daughters how chocolate grows on trees. Little did I know where that trip would take me. I met my business partners there and started a chocolate company in Belize. A few months later the company was making (and selling!) chocolate in Belize. Three years ago I founded indi chocolate closer to my home outside Seattle. I wanted to further the "farm to chocolate bar" experience I gained in Belize and directly source my cacao from new lands. I started with beans from Honduras, not far from where Christopher Columbus was the first European to see cacao! Working with the local farmers and cooperatives in Honduras has been a great experience. This year saw the opening of the first retail store for indi chocolate in Pike Place Market. How does this tie back to I-House you may ask? Well, I know that some of you live in the lands where cacao grows. I would love to work with your local cacao growing communities and have a truly sweet I-House collaboration! If you know how I could get in touch with local cacao farmers and cooperatives from your part of the world, please let me know at erin@indichocolate.com. I'm also looking for new flavors for my chocolate bars, if you have any suggestions. If you happen to be in Seattle, please stop by the store and say hello. Or check out our chocolate treats at indichocolate.com. It's always great catching up with Berkeley friends. Go Bears! n Letters From...Do you have a unique I-House story or do you know an I-House alum who is doing something notable or amazing? Email Alumni Relations at ihalumni@berkeley.edu. International House Times 13