Serve Well Blog

On his way to becoming an architect, University of Tennessee graduate Richard Murray is learning more about the people he hopes to serve. As Community Engagement Coordinator for Friends of the Children – Seattle through the Quaker service program QuEST, he arranges training and workshops that equip mentors to be a caring, consistent, long-term adult presence for vulnerable children.

Witnessing the impact of these sustained relationships has increased Richard’s regard for mentors and the Krista Foundation program’s multi-year peer mentoring program. “I am excited that there is another organization wanting to make a long-term commitment to help young adults. I really appreciate how faith is integrated into the [Krista Colleague] program itself. I’m in that process now, trying to understand how faith plays a role in my life.”  As he journeys with the Krista Foundation, Richard will be discerning how his architecture practice can serve low-income communities, perhaps by building spaces using a collaborative, community-based approach.

 

A service year in Cairo, Egypt working with international students led Stephen Allen '05 to a career with humanitarian aid agencies. A decade later, he coordinates UNICEF's activities in Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. Humanitarian work has its dark side, with cynicism and despair close at hand, especially when administrative demands mean little time with Syrians. "It's easy to come to [the refugee] camp, spend a few hours huddled with other humanitarians over cups of strong coffee talking...and then climb back in our SUVs and drive away," he says. 

 

Stephen's antidote: the ethic of service he gained from the Krista Foundation. Instead of working on refugee issues, Stephen seeks to work with refugees to resolve issues: "Spending time with those you are serving and respecting them enough to listen, argue, disagree, and work together. And you can still do it over a strong cup of coffee."