In Maze’s song “Joy and Pain,” Frankie Beverly sang that “joy and pain are like sunshine and rain” — and that’s been one way to describe this year so far. In the past year, wards 7 and 8 have weathered their share of hardships, including suffering a high number of deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, mourning a high number of shooting deaths, and scrambling to keep local businesses afloat.

On the other hand, life went on this year. Neighbors stepped up to support each other, offering groceries, healing workshops, or creative outlets. Creatives took to social media to celebrate local Black leaders and thinkers. And artists continued creating murals, music, and even candles.

We asked residents in wards 7 and 8 what ways they were able to be resilient and find hope in this pandemic. Here’s what they had to say. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Clarence Johnson, Congress Heights, Ward 8

Being an essential worker, having to consistently show up at work and serve people was challenging. I work at Costco and United Medical Center overnight. Those are challenges in itself because I’m constantly around many people during this pandemic. The base of my strength came from, number one, my faith in God. I keep active with exercising and reading. I eat properly, meditate, and am around nature. My advice to people facing adversities during this time is to keep your eyes on the prize. Pay attention to what you put inside your body, that really goes a long way. Eat fruits and vegetables.

Mynikka Posey

I’m working on building a playground and community center in my neighborhood. When the pandemic started it caused everything to come to a halt. The groundbreaking of the project was supposed to be in spring of this year; now it’s postponed to next year. The way I’ve been able to continue going is by having faith and being persistent in knowing that no matter what, you just have to keep going, you can’t give up. Don’t think about trying to do everything all at once because nothing can happen like that, you feel me? Just knowing it’s going to happen because the mind is the most powerful thing that humans have. Don’t let your mind play tricks on you making you think that it’s not going to happen. The only way you can think something like that is if you tell yourself that.

Eric Cleckley

I’ve been having a lot of challenges living in Southeast. I work with the [Ward 8] Councilmember’s office, Trayon White, so most of my day is spent doing business. There are a lot of shootings and it often times affect innocent people. We’re trying to help figure out ways to combat that. Senseless violence that affects other people has to stop. My car was shot up; I could have had my son with me. I’m trying to maintain the focus to continue this work and find ways to help our neighbors feel safe. I’ve been showing the seniors support because they’ve been complaining about the shootings. My mother was a preacher at Union Temple Baptist Church. It’s in me to be a giver and helper. I do what I was taught by her, that’s how I remain resilient. To Southeast, I would say reach out for help. You never know what someone can assist you with.

Ivan Carter

I’ve just been pushing forward. I have two kids. I’ve been trying to better myself for them. I’m in school now. My challenge during the pandemic is I’ve had little run-ins with the law. Hopefully when I go to court I can show them I’m still a community role model. I’m an optimistic person, nothing can stop me from my goal. I got my GED in jail — nothing stops me. No matter what happens to me I’m going to keep going and praying. I have two little ones that I have to leave something for when I’m gone. Keeping strong is a mindset.

Robert Butler

In the beginning of the pandemic I got a little cabin fever being stuck in the house teleworking. I found a way to get back into the community. With my job I passed out food to communities in need, I had a case load of kids at Anacostia to do home visits, that helped to get me out of the house. I started a clothing line in 2018, and took a break for a while, but in 2020 I used the time spent in the house to relaunch my business. My faith is in God, believing what’s for me is for me has kept me going. As long as I continue to be a good person and have a good heart, then God will handle everything else for me, so that’s pretty much how I look at things.

Nyeusi Mwezi, East Capitol

The worst thing that could ever happen to any woman has happened to me in 2020. I was blessed with a star seed [child] I gave birth to in July 2020. I didn’t like how I couldn’t have my family with me when I was in labor because of COVID-19. During my pregnancy my Mom caught COVID-19, and I spent a lot of time during my pregnancy alone in the pandemic. My son passed away in October 2020. That has been the most traumatizing experience ever. For some reason I thought I was exempt from things like that happening to me. That was really hard.

How I remain resilient is by working going to therapy. It’s helped me to remain conscious of what was happening to me mentally. I took on pole dancing at home and in the studio for fitness. It allows me to physically lift myself up. When you combine postpartum depression and the loss of my son, it’s like if I didn’t start pole dancing I would be nothing. I’d be in the sunken place. I’ve been writing poetry and doing photography, too — all the P’s. These things have been my saving grace to reestablish my identity.

The advice I’d give other people is to stay strong: It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how you react. How you choose to look at your future and allow God to continue to live through you. Regardless of what happens to you, you’re still given a chance to live another day, even if you’ve lost something. I can’t allow my son’s life to be in vain. At this point I can’t be sad anymore. Remain in your purpose.

Victor Terry, previously lived in Wilmington Place

I think facing adversities throughout my childhood has built resilience to help me get through the pandemic. My non profit Fly by Nature was shut down because we couldn’t go to the schools due to distance learning. I had to find a new job and move all while going through a divorce. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on my childhood and doing a lot of psychology research. I wanted to understand how the brain functions, that way I gain self-awareness. One of my mentors Nipsey Hussle said, “Never give up, push through to overcome obstacles and barriers that you face.” We have to change the stigma around therapy, some people have a misconception around that. Therapy is more about trying to help you understand your behavior.

Presto on the Track, Choppa City, Historic Anacostia

I’ve stayed strong this pandemic by being active. I’m in the house more working on music and making money off of that. I also work for the city over at Building Blocks [DC]. It’s designed to prevent and address gun violence. I’m able to do that in my community. Fortunately for me, I haven’t lost anything. I’ve been able to strengthen others and take them under my wing. When everyone else was losing focus, we stayed focused. That has motivated me to get up and do what I do. My advice to others is to stay strong and positive.

Jarrett Hendrix, Benning Rd.

I grew up in D.C., we didn’t really say wards [to describe our neighborhood]. I’m from around Benning Road area. I stayed resilient by staying creative. I caught up on painting and photographing. I found that I enjoy taking photos of toys. If you’re struggling or going through something try to do something that makes you happy. If you can’t go around people, find things to occupy your time. Stay busy, find something to put in that empty space. Don’t be idle.

Yasuke Gaddy, Serves Ward 8, Yoga Instructor

I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York, and I migrated to D.C. when I was in ninth grade. Ward 7 and Ward 8 was one of the first places I came to. I actually lost my job before the pandemic. The one thing that kept me strong was my family, my kids, my wife, and individuals around me. I developed hypertension and my blood pressure was through the roof. Of course, finances took a toll. It was a matter of me realizing that I had to get myself out of it and find resources to do so. That’s how I became a yoga teacher and started urban agriculture. I began to work on my mental and physical health. By doing that it opened the doors for so many other things. After working on myself I decided, you know what, this is actually what I want to teach. My classes started in Southeast. My practice is geared around individuals with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It’s been needed in some communities there.

Jessica Lewis, Anacostia area

Living alone has been a challenge because you can’t really see people unless they’re living in your little pod together. I’ve had to be creative. As an educator I often think about my students. Thinking of how they have iPads and when I was young I had to go out to interact with people. I started reading again, riding my bike, and taking pictures. I learned how to be bored, to sit in myself. I’ve been building a community of people called Play Play. It’s about adults getting back to playing. We did an adult virtual book club, we’ve been playing kick ball. We’ve been trying to get back to our childhood. Adults should get back to playing because we are still developing mentally. My advice to others is to tap into their inner child.

Ke’Miya Brown, 10, Ward 8

It was a struggle for me to go from regular school to virtual so fast. My family told me that it was going to be OK and I was confident because I had their support. That’s how I remained resilient during this pandemic.

Sandra Vanderbilt

For someone who is social, my biggest challenge during the pandemic is being socially distant and isolated — it’s worn me down a lot. I have been doing a lot of walking during the pandemic. We have a tight-knit block. It’s  always been a blessing for the last seven years, but this year to be able to go out on the sidewalk and see our friends, see people that we love that live across the street from us, has been so awesome. I am grateful for these natural spaces in Ward 7, like the Marvin Gaye Trail. I walk miles and miles and have met new neighbors. I think what has gotten me through in my body, mind, and spirit is to be able to connect with people during the neighborhood walks

Elliott Vanderbilt

I’ve struggled during this pandemic with not being able to be social. In second and third grade I received an award for being a social butterfly. It’s really hard to not be with my friends. I haven’t seen anybody in a very long time. I’ve been able to cope with it a little by going on Zoom everyday for classes and see all of my friends.