I’ve always been very shy. I admit it. Yet during my fall break this year, I stepped out of my comfort zone. At my university, sometimes during breaks, students are offered a chance to go to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to volunteer at the St. Francis Inn on Kensington Avenue. It is also known as one of the most dangerous areas in the US. But it’s also one of the most in need.
Some way, somehow, I finally took the initiative to go. I was told it was a good experience. I knew someone else who was going. The whole time leading up to meeting with everyone, my social anxiety was roaring in my mind. The day before we left, we all had dinner together. The next day, the journey began. Â
I found I was surrounded by good people, ones I’d be spending the entirety of the next four days with. On the first day, I jumped right into serving people at the inn. People who life had dealt an unfair hand to for the most part. But really, they’re not too different from us at all.
People would sit down with one another and just start talking. As a server, you’d just say, “Hi, how are you? I’m ____, I’ll be your server today.” It could be one of the most positive interactions they have all day. It was hard work but meaningful work. I was so happy to be a part of it, and my goodness, I met some amazing people.
Most of the day, we were in the inn, cutting cakes, preparing meals, and all sorts of things for our guests. On the first day, I served meals. On the second day, I gave away food to the guests as they left. The third day, I plated food with another amazing person. On the last day she and I ran pickups, going around getting things donated by businesses so they could be served.
Then, it was a five-hour ride back. But, the first two days, we did outings after work. We went to locations around Philly: The Magic Garden, that’s adorned in mosaics, a football game that reminded me of an old friend, an art museum, iconic works and scenes, and a bustling market. Back in the apartment we stayed in, the eight of us took up having little tea times, connections blooming in games of Uno and playful gossip. I barely knew anything about most of the people I went with, but spending four days together really can change things.
  
It was an incredible experience. There are so many things that can come from little acts of love and understanding. People who find themselves in rough situations are grateful for even the slightest things. A conversation, a warm meal, a compliment, a listening ear. We are all humans, no matter what the differences are in our situations. This is something I intend to carry with me from now on. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, it can pay off in wonderful ways!
