Jennica Billins is doing more than talking about the plight of San Bernardino. She is doing something about it.

She is a public health specialist and resident of the city’s First Ward. Her inspirational message is today’s installment in our ongoing “We Are San Bernardino” project.

As you know, I’m asking real people to tell their real stories about their lives and times here. These are the kind of stories that remind us that San Bernardino is worth fighting for, and that’s just what we need right now in this embattled city.

Jennica Billins begins her essay with a quotation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt:

“The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward to unity and widely shared prosperity or it will move apart.”

Now, here is Jennica in her own words:

I moved to San Bernardino in 2009, to a neighborhood full of promise. Today, there’s more danger than promise, buildings are abandoned, homeless drug addicts have moved in, and families that called my neighborhood home for generations are planning their escape.

I don’t like seeing my neighborhood deteriorate. I want to be proud of where I live. But what can I do?

My Grandpa served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor during WWII. He lived to be 91 years old and was active in his community as well as a family man.

Looking back now, I realize how lucky I was to have him during my earliest adult years. I remember Obama’s first election and how excited I was to tell my Grandpa about the “change we can believe in.”

While my youthful excitement wasn’t contagious, he listened, and we continued to watch the news and play cards together.

I also remember expressing my dissatisfaction with the status quo in a country where opportunities are overtaken by waste and greed.

My Grandpa once told me something I didn’t fully appreciate nor understand until now. He said, “If you don’t like it, you should do something about it.” At that time, I wasn’t sure what he meant.

My Dad’s generation had put an end to the draft, the Vietnam War, and created a No. 1 hit that was also a powerful political statement. Dad still sings along every time we hear “War, What Is It Good For?” by Edwin Starr.

I claim “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer as my generation’s political statement.

It became the theme song for a period of my life having the perfect combination of discontent and hope.

My Dad used to tease me and say, “So let me get this straight, your generation’s big plan is to wait?” Like the song says, “One day my generation will rule the population.” It’s inevitable. That’s life. As usual though, my Dad was right; I wasn’t actually doing something by waiting.

In an attempt to be the change I wanted to see in the world, I moved to San Bernardino. After finding one of the few good local jobs available to recent graduates, I quickly fell into a routine of work and play.

A couple months ago, I went to The San Bernardino Sun’s town hall meeting and connected with San Bernardino Generation Now for the very first time. Built on unity, this new movement attracts young people who care about what’s happening. I joined the movement (more information: facebook.com).

Last Sunday afternoon my wall got a facelift. Local artists are to thank for its beauty and bold message of unity. It makes my neighborhood look nice in a special way and represents the change I want to see in our City.

As people walked by, admiring the mural, I realized that I had spoken to more neighbors in one day than I had in my last four years of being a resident.

Is there something about our City that you don’t like? What are you going to do about it? Because it’s the little things that unite people and make a world of difference.