Hello Everyone,

My name is Luana Faria and I have been volunteering with Urban Resurrection in West Coconut Grove for the last two years. I moved into the neighborhood, believing this would be the best way to have the most impact in the community. I fell in love with the Grove right away! I also felt a close connection with my neighbors simply because I was able to experience and relate to their concerns about the neighborhood.

I’d like to give you some background info about myself. I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil up until I was 8 when my family and I moved to Miami. Living here for over 15 years, I grew up being exposed to the dichotomy of this city which is a home to some of the wealthiest communities in the US as well as to some of the poorest. I went to middle school in an at-risk community where I frequently spent time building relationships and doing community service. Through time of reflecting on my experience I’ve felt compelled to work with youth from those communities.

I began to prepare myself by studying Child Psychology/Family counseling and after much thought and prayer I have decided to begin the process of becoming full time staff with Urban Resurrection. Part of this process is doing an apprenticeship with them for a year where I’ll be considered part time staff and be responsible for raising personal financial support. I will also be holding a part time job until I am on full time support with the goal of becoming full time staff by 2010.

I have already started my apprenticeship and am working as Assistant Director of Community Youth Development for BEATS (Bringing Eternal Arts to the Streets) helping to meet youth holistically as spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental people, in the midst of family, community and the culture that shape them. I’m super excited about this decision and I feel strongly led to take this big step of faith. To me it’s about connecting the youth to Christ and others in the community so that they are transformed, and can be a part of affecting change in the community at large.

Until next time,

Luana Faria

Posted on January 26th, 2009 by Michael
Filed under: News