Support and Strengths

The past two days were spent on retreat with other volunteers from the Philly area. It was crazy how many people were from the Rochester area! It was also funny, when I got there I saw my friend who I studied abroad with in Germany and now she in volunteering in Philly this year. Such a small world we live in. We spent a majority of the time focusing on the strengths finder test that we took before we arrived. There are 34 different strengths. After taking the test my top five were 1. Empathy 2. Positivity 3. Includer 4. WOO (Winning others over) and 5. Consistency. These strengths describe me perfectly. We talked within our communities about our different strengths and how each of our strengths will contribute to our community. It was helpful to see what my roommates got so I knew their strengths and where they will excel. It was also very nice and refreshing to meet the other volunteers. Its nice to know that there are other young people out there wanting to make a difference in our world and some are just right down the street. It’s a larger support system, something that I need. Its good to know I have friends outside of my community.

This past week was my first week of work. We basically just got the school ready for students. School officially starts on September 5^th and I am so excited! I can’t wait to meet and work with the students. Not only did I make friends with the other volunteers in Philly but as well as the teachers at my worksite. Support was one thing I was worried about, that I wouldn’t have enough support, but now I know there are many people who would help me and be there for me if I needed anything.

I was on the phone with Austin the other day and I was frustrated because I feel so trapped and isolated once it becomes nighttime. I know that it’s not safe to go out in Kensington at dark but it’s not something I’m not use to. It’s a completely different world out there but yet we’re still in the US. Then Austin said that I needed to remember why I’m here. I’m here to help my “dear neighbors” as the SSJ’s say. It’s true; I need to remember as to why I am here. It’s not to go out every night. I’m here to help and serve the neighborhood in which I belong to now. 

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."

            -Mother Teresa

  

peace and love

Katie