Monthly Archives: July 2010

How were you changed at Sidewalks? Student Testimonies

Posted on July 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

Click here to see two Sidewalks 2010 talk about their experience this summer.

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Looking back at Sidewalks 2010

Posted on July 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Sidewalks 2010 Urban Project ended yesterday after 6 weeks of life together in the Stevens neighborhood of Lancaster City.  Nine college students spent their summers volunteering at several urban agencies, playing with kids, chatting with neighbors, and figuring out how to manage cooking and keeping up a house.  Yesterday packed their bags, cleaned the house, and said goodbye to each other and to our neighbors.

What’s in a name?  Why Sidewalks?  I read an article in Newsweek a few years back entitled “Sidewalks make a neighborhood into a community.”  That’s the inspiration; that’s the hope.  We bring college students to live with us for a summer to learn how sidewalks perform that function.  It is a little abstract–how could slabs of concrete create intimacy among strangers?  And yet here in the city, in our neighborhood, that’s just what happens.  The slabs of concrete lead the way from home to another, from one porch to another, from one meal to another.  The slabs of concrete are linear parks where there are daily games of catch, opportunities to shoot hoops, linger in conversation, create art, jump rope, and on and on.  In all these ways and so many more, simple slabs of concrete create a connection and wholeness between people that is elusive in many other settings.

So, come to the city, come experience these slabs of concrete that connect us to each other, these sidewalks that make our community.  Come, and see how you might change.

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Posted in Sidewalks urban project, South Central PA

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Sidewalks Update (from Julia)

Posted on July 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

Hey friends and family of the Sidewalks team,

I wanted to take this opportunity to apologize for not keeping the blog updated. I know I promised my friends and family that I would take time each week to write on the blog and let you all know what was happening here. I hope you can forgive the rest of the Sidewalks team and I for not writing but I hope you can understand why this is not our top priority.

These past few weeks have been a time of intense growing. Many of us need time to reflect on the events of the day. We have been learning so much and encountering new ways of thinking that it can prove to be extremely overwhelming at times. Each day we are challenged to not just see from where we stand but instead place ourselves in another person’s shoes (a client, a co-worker, or another member of the Sidewalks team).

When we find ourselves unable to place ourselves in another’s shoes conflict usually arises. We have been learning a different way of conflict resolution. Instead of letting anger fester, we have been told to take the person aside who has hurt us and we talk it out. We explain why we are hurt and in the time of exchanging views we try to understand where the other is coming from and why they feel the way they do. This type of conflict resolution also prevents gossiping and getting third parties involved. I’ve found that this type is extremely healthy and I wish that conflict was always confronted in this way all the time and not just on this urban project. However this also takes lots of time but it is well worth the sacrifice.

I thank you all for seeing where we stand and want you to know that I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities to share our experiences with you after Sidewalks is over. There are just so many things to share that typing them would not even give them justice. I can truly say that the Sidewalks team is taking this project seriously and putting their hearts and souls into it. I am astounded to hear and see what God is doing not just in the people in our workplaces and community, but also between each of the members of the Sidewalks team. I can’t even begin to fathom leaving here on July 20th because I have grown so close with my brothers and sisters here and really dread the idea of leaving. I hope that we can continue to share openly and deeply with each other after Sidewalks as we do during.

Peace and Blessings,
-Julia

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Posted in Sidewalks urban project

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