So why Pittsburgh?

I know many of you are wondering why I’m traveling across the country to Pittsburgh, PA. I must admit, the move is a little (seemingly) random and abrupt. And so many of you had no idea. Pittsburgh? As in Pennsylvania? Yes and yes. No, it wasn’t the easiest of decisions to come to, but I really have no doubts. Sometimes you just know. You know? This is what I know I am supposed to be doing- at least for this season of my life. Plus, why not? I’m young, single, and ready to …learn. Lol. Set your mind on things above.

Story: I was singing in a concert in Pasadena when a woman came up to me after the concert and asked me what my plans were after graduation. After I told her of my plans (or lack thereof), she told me of HER plans for me. Lol. She told me about an organization called Urban Impact that her husband started about 17 years ago in Pittsburgh, her ‘kids’ that were involved in the program, and how she knew I would be perfect for it. I was thinking ‘Okay, we did JUST meet. Thank you for your time and your apparent belief in my abilities, but I’m gonna go ahead and get away from you now.’ Lol. So we parted ways and I thought that would be it. I hoped. The few plans that I did have had nothing to do with living and working in Pittsburgh with a bunch of strangers. But as is becoming more and more a pattern of my life, I was wrong. In the following days and weeks, I oddly kept coming across her by then, crinkled business card and our conversation kept replaying in my mind. I decided to give it a chance and look into it. After much research, prayer, questioning, thought, and conversation, I was convinced that this is what I needed to be doing NOW.

So, Urban Impact…
Urban Impact is a non-profit outreach ministry based in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania that ministers to inner city, at-risk youth. They believe in “changing Pittsburgh one person, one family, one block at a time” starting with the lives of children. It’s not just about social change but a change in the spiritual, academic, and physical levels of the whole person. If you’d like to learn more about UIF and/or anything else you find in this blog, you can go to their website. 

What part do I play?…
My experience with Urban Impact can be divided into two parts. First, I will be a summer camp counselor. The camp is put on by UI for 8 weeks for grades 1-12. Averaging around 250 students, the purpose of the camp is to provide a fun, safe environment for youth that normally could not afford summer camp while eliminating academic regression over the summer months. The camp includes food, field trips, activities, and instruction in subjects like math, reading, bible, social and life skills. This summer I’ll be mentoring, teaching, training, supervising, and just being there for my class of 14 7th grade boys (with another counselor because they like to keep the student teacher ratio around 6:1). Middle school boys though? Whoa! A little nervous. :/

The other, longer portion of my job will be in the performing arts. Right up my alley! Urban Impact has a performing arts academy that offers lessons in voice, drama, dance and visual arts. Through the academy, middle and high schoolers (grades 6-12) sing, dance, and play musical instruments at venues and colleges throughout Pennsylvania. Many of their schools are WAY underfunded and have NO music outlets for kids . In fact, at one of the high school down the street from my job, the band is composed of three people. THREE! So there is definitely a need. I will also be the director of the Urban Impact choir. Think ‘Sister Act II.’ The roughly 100 member choir will be rehearsing weekly and performing at churches colleges and community groups. And one of my biggest tasks is to get them ready for a Christmas concert at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. Each week we meet for dinner, bible study, and rehearsal (We find any excuse to move into spiritual stuff, ie THE GOSPEL!). It’s a great way to keep kids occupied and out of trouble but most of all, to see lives changed. I believe my official title will be ‘Choral Ministry Associate.’ Yeah, I don’t know either.

Oh, and I found some clips of the choir so you can get a general idea of who I’ll be working with. I’ll do things a little different than the video but for the most part, this is what it’ll look like: 

Clip 1
Clip 2 

So there it is. I am here. I am excited. And I’m ready to grow!

I promise to keep you updated on the latest happenings, pictures, stories, prayer requests, thoughts, adventures, etc.

If you’re reading this, chances are I love you. Lol.

BYE! ; )

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