Meet Amanda: Revitalize Volunteer!

Oct 8, 2013 | UA News

Article written by Urban Alliance staff.

Over the course of the summer, Revitalize, a collaborative community initiative of the Urban Alliance network that focuses on effectively and holistically addressing health needs in Hartford, partnered with the North End Farmers Market. At the market, Revitalize had a booth complete with community resources that included information about free and low-cost health services and events. In addition, the booth had family-friendly activities and served as a way for people to learn more about available free/low-cost local health services and to build relationships in the community.

We recently chatted with Amanda H., and she shared about her experience as an Urban Alliance volunteer! Here’s what she had to say:

“I got to see hands-on how Revitalize is working to effectively create a healthier community. It’s not merely a matter of some nice words in an ideal world; but rather, tangible action to implement these goals.

Revitalize is meeting people where they’re at, seeing realistic and attainable ways to improve the health climate, and then taking action to do just that!

I was delighted to participate in the farmers market. I volunteered at the children’s station [at the Revitalize booth] where I was able to engage with kids. My favorite part was when I offered out a ball to a precious little girl, and instead of reaching for the ball she reached for me! And held on tight. That’s the beauty of children – they see beyond any confines of society to see that we are all people in this community with the same needs. We all need healthy food and community, and access to both, to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

I think Revitalize is a fabulous initiative!”

If you would like to volunteer with Urban Alliance, contact Leah Caldwell, Urban Alliance’s Volunteer Manager at (860) 986.7724 x 16 or at leah.caldwell@urbanalliance.com.

The staff at Urban Alliance are familiar with Pastor Frank because he is a regular attendee to many of the trainings Urban Alliance provides on subjects like domestic violence, addressing childhood trauma, and better counseling techniques. “That’s been so valuable to me to be able to bring that back, not only in my counseling but also in my teaching and preaching ministries, “ shared Termine.

Pastor Frank was also one of the original members of the Micah group, a group of pastors that meets at Urban Alliance to discuss and strategize about challenging issues that face the church today. One of those earlier discussions on justice, incarceration, and returning citizens was particularly memorable. “We all lamented the fact that these men and women were coming out of prison into our churches and just kind of being thrown there,” said Termine, “We could do better than this.” That discussion planted the seeds that eventually led to the creation of Second Chance Churches – an opportunity for churches to provide support and mentoring to returning citizens that continues today.

When we asked Pastor Frank what he would say to another church that was unaware of Urban Alliance, he said, “If you are looking to get out in the community and make a difference in the community, Urban Alliance is a super way to do it. We’re a small church … we can’t do everything. Urban Alliance is a pathway to get our people involved in ministries that are already doing it, doing it well, and just need extra volunteers.”

Pastor Frank Termine’s story embodies many things we are trying to accomplish at Urban Alliance: supporting organizations in the communities they serve with training, resources, and opportunities to make a difference. Pastors and non-profit leaders face a wide range of challenges and, therefore, need a wide range of help and resources. Your support can help turn stories of struggle into stories like you find at Calvary Church.

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