New York City

From the Voice of Our Volunteers

Nov 7

Self-Transformation Through Service

Everyone has a different role and a unique perspective. This has allowed me to see many distinct parts of the foster care system and see...

Sep 26

Learning to live simply in New York City

To be honest even during the orientation I still had doubts about my ability to live off of the stipend...

Mar 13

Growing Comfortable with Vulnerability

Everything else I do, photography, wood working, cycling--all seem to be complimentary of this overarching mission--social justice. It's im

Mar 6

On what it means to be weird…

Night one of GSV training, something was put to words for me that I have been feeling for a while.

Feb 28

Walking the Path of Doubting Thomas: A Story of Faith, Community, and Journalism

What I’ve learned in the three decades since closing the door at Brooklyn’s 1101 Carroll St. apartment is found in the story of...

Oct 11, 2023

Bonding, Brie, and the Beginning of a New Year

The 2023 GSV Meet & Greet brought the community together for bonding, brie, and celebration of a new year.

May 24, 2023

Foster care, college access, and taking things for granted

As the public policy fellow at Good Shepherd Services (GSS), I work daily to understand what is happening in the city and how GSS is...

Jun 18, 2022

As my year of service comes to a close, one last community check-in

I've been feeling all sorts of nostalgia lately, especially since my last blog post corresponds with my last month of service with Good...

May 31, 2022

After a loss and a gift, I am rebuilding my trust in God

I just went on my second-to-last retreat with Good Shepherd Volunteers, our silent spirituality retreat.

May 23, 2022

Spiritual Growth for Peace of Mind

What is spirituality for me? I always thought that spiritual life was connected with the church, essentially with religious education,...

May 12, 2022

My year of service has shown me the many facets of social justice work

I've been passionate about justice work ever since I took my first criminal justice class in my junior year of high school. My teacher reall

Apr 26, 2022

Making bracelets with the boys was my first breakthrough to relationship

The first few days on the job at Barbara Blum Residence, I remember feeling lost. I started out as a youth development counselor...

Apr 11, 2022

Thinking existentially at the 'gates of Hope'

I've been thinking a lot: contemplating what I've learned this year and reflecting on what I thought this year would be; comparing where...

Mar 4, 2022

The unexpected guides me to a whole new social justice mission

I was under the impression growing up that women made the money in the house and dads stayed at home. My mom worked a 9-5 job doing...

Feb 15, 2022

Seeking simplicity, in New York of all places

Let's just say I've never thought of myself as a minimalist — and that's what I thought simplicity was: a lack of resources and physical...

Dec 29, 2021

Gratitude: The Faith Story

“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” -Charles Spurgeon I didn’t have much growing up and I still...

Dec 29, 2021

'I got you': Three little words pack a powerful punch, if you mean them

I've been at my service site for four months now, and I've already learned so much about trauma-informed care, the juvenile justice system..

Nov 19, 2021

Community Is Powerful

I grew up on a street where I knew every single one of my neighbors. My best friends were only a few yards away, and there were block...

Oct 27, 2021

Do you ever get sick of all these songs about New York?

Sirens, opera singing, fireworks, Dancing Queen (at full volume), street cleaners, etc. This is not an exhaustive list of the sounds that...

May 12, 2021

A year of embracing growth as a mixed, Korean American woman

In all honesty, I didn't fully believe in diversity, equity and inclusion work before coming into my service year. Throughout my time at...