Sara with a student from her reading class, 2021
Sara graduated from college in 2020, a time when the entire world was experiencing an unexpected transition. During that time, she did not immediately enter the workforce and instead served as a caregiver to her family. Eventually, a summer job opportunity with UrbanPromise was available that gave her direction with her career.
“I had the opportunity to work for [UP] West as a Middle School Reading Teacher, and I feel like that was the step that launched me into my career.”
Her job with UrbanPromise came at a critical time in her post-college life as she was dealing with so much doubt. “Honestly, at that point I had given up. I was dealing with guilt and self-loathing thinking, did I pick the wrong major? My degree isn’t going to work for me,” Sara reflected. “From there, the teaching experience with UP helped me go to Costa Rica to be a teacher.”
Sara with her reading class, 2021
Sara spent 8 months in Costa Rica as a teacher but had a longing to come home. “I found myself in many positions during college and then as a teacher in Costa Rica always desiring and longing to come back to UrbanPromise Charlotte or something similar to it.”
Sara’s prayers would soon be answered as an opportunity presented itself with UrbanPromise. “Honestly, God really just works. He just works!”
Now, Sara is the new Middle School Coordinator for UP’s West Charlotte Site!
Sara is the perfect person to lead our Middle Schoolers at UP West as she has experience with navigating transitions. As the Middle School Coordinator, Sara notices, “Middle School students are in a constant transition. They are transitioning from being 5th graders to 6th graders and then very quickly 8th graders to high schoolers. They’re just opening their eyes to the world around them and who they are as people, their own personalities, their own identities, and how they fit into their friend groups, their class room, and their afterschool program communities.”
West StreetLeaders and Staff, 2022
But how do we find peace in these seasons of transitions? Sara advises, “It’s going to my constants. It’s difficult to be in change and transition. Really diving into my support systems have been helpful for me and bring peace to me.
“UrbanPromise is a little piece of Heaven on Earth. Even in our moments of transition and change, we especially need support.” Sara tearfully continues, “Having people outside of this space root us on, it means a lot because the day-to-day can be difficult. It can be a lot, but it’s meaningful work.”
As we approach the end of year, you have been our constant. Constant supporters, constant encouragers, constant partners. Your constant support encourages us and your prayers strengthen us.
Will you be our constant today?
Thank you for your support in helping to sustain the work of UrbanPromise. We could not do this work without you!