What made you want to join the UP Latin America team?
Working three years as the UrbanTrekkers Program Director in Copan, and then four and a half years in Camden, NJ, I have seen how the programs of UrbanPromise around the world are providing a transformational community in the lives of kids, youth, and staff. My time in Honduras fanned a love for the people and culture of Latin America- and of course the food! I may be pretty pale-looking on the outside, but inside, I feel like I belong in Honduras.
Having met the directors of the newly started UrbanPromise-inspired affiliates in Colombia, I have seen the UP family grow into other parts of Latin America, and it is so inspiring for me to see their amazing leadership. I am just so excited to get to work with top quality people like Yolanda, Jorge, and Carolina- the Executive Director’s at Tertulia Creativa and CreeSiendo Paz. Their leadership, heart, and spirit embody what I have known to be the core of UPH, and why I fell in love with it.
Why do you think UP Latin America’s work is important?
Some of the most amazingly talented and passionate young people that I have met have been during my time living in Honduras and visiting other Central American countries. They are making a huge impact in their communities andI have seen firsthand how UPH has transformed the lives of those in Copán. At the same time, there is a real problem of violence, poverty, corruption, and family separation throughout communities in Honduras and the surrounding countries. These systemic and heart-centric issues affect the vulnerable the most.
As per the beatitudes, UrbanPromise is seeking to share Christ in word and deed with the poor in spirit, with those who mourn, the meek...they are hungering for righteousness while being merciful, they are pure in heart, they are striving to make peace where there is none. What community doesn't need this kind of restoration—restoration in our relationship with the Father, with our neighbors & family, our own self-image, and even with creation around us?
UP Latin America is equipping these servant-leaders with a platform to bring transformation to their communities. They are a much needed light in the surrounding darkness and UP Latin America is providing the platform, resources, networking, and training to make sure the emerging leaders across Latin America can be the brightest possible source of light.
What does your role entail?
I will be helping to lay the next layer of groundwork in the building of our Latin America Fellowship Program. I'll be recruiting potential fellows across Central and South America to come to Honduras for our one-year fellowship, coordinating logistics for their travel and stay in Copan, developing the curriculum and classes for professional development, building community within the cohort, and taking on the pastoral care of our fellows.
You used to be the Director of the UrbanTrekkers program at UPH, and for the past four years you’ve been a part of the UrbanTrekkers team at UrbanPromise Camden. What’s the link between being a trekker and your new role?
The whole point of us creating this fellowship program is to provide hands-on, experiential learning with the programs of UrbanPromise. In a way, I feel like this is just UrbanTrekkers 2.0, but for the “big kids”! We want our fellows coming into Copan to immerse themselves in the experience of UPH, because there is so much they can learn from our amazing staff, young people, and community. As part of my role, I will be providing regular opportunities for self-reflection and check-ins on their experiences to maximize their learning. This is a huge element of UrbanTrekkers- it's not just about doing the cool adventurous stuff, but rather, learning from every moment presented to us.
