Philadelphia

May 2017
A 8-day adventure by Bailey
  • 26footprints
  • 1countries
  • 8days
  • 30photos
  • 0videos
  • 674miles
  • 672miles
  • Day 2

    Salvation Army

    May 10, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Question 8:
    “Write about a Philadelphia leader.”
    The leaders we worked with were all very dynamic in who they are and how they serve. It is their humility that makes them such dynamic servant leaders. One of the leaders was a walking advertisement for her organization and her mission. Major Susan was our ‘hostess’ as we worked for the Philadelphia local Salvation Army.
    While we worked, Major Susan wore many hats: she hosted as she made us comfortable and assured we had what we needed; she instructed as she taught us about the mission of the Salvation Army. Beyond that, she was a leader and a servant.
    Our primary task at the Salvation Army was to sort toys and gifts for children. The toys and gifts were donated from the people of Philadelphia through various drop off centers in the city. We sorted those toys into different categories of boxes. Major Susan worked along with us.
    Major Susan spoke passionately about the mission and motto of the Salvation Army including “The Gift of Hope. Her passion came through in her teaching and in her service. The Salvation Army has an insignia of a red shield, that shield of hope. Major Susan wore a shirt that not only advertised what the organization what but also who she was as a leader. It read, ‘I am a shield.’ That is a great quality in a leader, she not only supports the mission of the organization, she lives and becomes the mission. What stood out to me about Major Susan is that she truly is that shield of hope for the children of Philadelphia. She is the Salvation Army.
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  • Day 2

    The Loft

    May 10, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Question 3: “What about the service experiences is different than the service we do on the team”?

    I chose a picture of the loft to symbolize what I felt was the “big picture” of how these service experiences were different than the service work we do on the leadership team. Although I enjoyed our accommodations at the hostel better than those at the loft, the loft was important because we were immersed within the culture we were hoping to serve. That immersion is something I witnessed within the leaders that worked with us at the various sites. They do not just show up, put in a few manual labor hours and get out. They have become an integral part of the neighborhoods and families they serve. Building relationships is important to these servant leaders and the benefit of that belief is seen in every neighborhood and service area we worked in.
    This is not always the case with what we do. We seem to do the same projects year after year for people who expect it. We do not spend long term time with people, getting to understand their situations or their needs. How can we provide the best service if we do not ask the questions about what is needed? We also divvy up the jobs according to schedules and what we can do. For the service we participated in while in Philadelphia we witnessed people asked those questions and gave freely of their time and talents. They built their schedules around the service, not the other way around. Becoming immersed in the community you serve also allows you to see immediate results of the people and families you impact. I think the leadership aspect of service can develop much better in these situations.
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  • Day 3

    Front Step

    May 11, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Question 4: “Describe one act of servant leadership that you have seen in Philadelphia.”

    I had my eyes opened to what servant leadership looks like in action. The leader of Front Step, Wesley Tink, was the most inspirational part of the trip for me. He personified the theory of building relationships with the people you serve. He has built such great relationships with the families in his neighborhoods that they have a deep respect for him. This immersion in the culture has helped him enable the people he serves to serve their neighborhoods as well. He has helped create a culture of family.
    His approach also embodies the selfless aspect of servant leadership. He actually lives in New Jersey yet has built this organization in Philadelphia, and it is a priority for him. The day he worked with us he left New Jersey the day after he had a death in the family because our service project was a priority to him. While we were working on neighborhood parks, he noticed some families in the neighborhood that needed help. So, he shifted gears and had us help those with specific needs. It was a seamless transition for him to survey the site and determine the biggest need.
    This was a great example of knowing the people you serve and being able to see the big picture. This helped me understand the difference between servant leadership and volunteering in your community. This leader did not just put in hours and leave. He was a part of the neighborhood he served and that helped him to lead.
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  • Day 3

    Mural Mile

    May 11, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Question 6
    “What are you hoping to learn about yourself as a leader on this trip?”
    When I left for Philadelphia my hope was to learn more about how to enhance the leadership areas I excel in and how to strengthen those areas that I am weaker in. Each service experience was different and I took away some insight from each one. I also learned things about myself and my team.
    However, it was during my field experience that it hit me. I was amazed by the mile of murals walk that we went on. So many important statements were made through the artwork. It was a mosaic painting that captured my attention and made a connection with me as a leader.
    The mosaic was made up of several picture tiles which were created from hundreds of pixels. Up close the details of the pixels were prominent. However, at a distance it was the ‘Big Picture’ the tiles of pixels came together to create that was in focus. That is how I see successful leadership. I am just one tile of pixels --- different strengths, talents, and ideas. As a successful leader I would surround myself with people made up of different strengths and talents that work together to create one unified vision. Some of those tiles will contain pixels that will challenge me, encourage me, and help me to enhance my leadership areas.
    What I learned is that in terms of murals and artwork, leadership can never be advanced through a self-portrait, something similar to a mosaic is much more productive.
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  • Day 4

    Share

    May 12, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Question 5
    “What have you learned about treating every job as an adventure?”

    Working with the SHARE organization was a different type of service work experience for me. The organization works tirelessly to pack boxes of necessities for those in need. These boxes included items such as: fruit juices, cereals, canned food and meats. There are different packages patrons can choose from. Our leadership team worked like a factory conveyer belt. Each of us was responsible for adding an item to the boxes.
    It was the first service experience I had had that required no thought, planning or creativity. To some that may seem like a dream job because it was so simple. However, it was the most difficult work I have done. That is how I learned the importance of making each job an adventure. One way we did this at this particular site was to set a goal of 1000 boxes packed. We worked hard and fast and encouraged each other to keep going so that we could make or beat the goal we set for ourselves.
    Although this was a small activity to do with our work, it made a big difference in the laborious task. It also made me realize that challenges and team work help to create this adventure we need to seek out in every job we do. Although packing the boxes did not require any great strength or talent from any of us, it required all of us to work together. In any job we approach, if we attack it as a team, think outside the box, and find ways to challenge ourselves, it will be an adventure.
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