One of the most interesting parts of my jobs is explaining to folks that Project Transformation is a literacy program for children AND an inter-generational ministry. The literacy component is the easiest part of our mission to explain to folks and a huge part of why I have committed over a decade of my life to this incredible program. The relationship part of Project Transformation is what I call the “Magic” of the organization. Our young adult interns are the key component of this magic.
My journey with PT started as an intern in Dallas before the Tennessee and DC chapters were even a dream. It was 2009 and there were not a ton of summer jobs. I felt lucky to be the last intern hired in Dallas as a mountain biking intern. I went into the summer thinking I would do this for a few months and then go back to school to work on my Sports Management degree. Little did I know that the relationships formed on the mountain biking trail would completely change the trajectory of my life. The conversations I had with middle schoolers who came from a very different background than this Williamson County kid taught me so much about how our humanity is tied together in the image of God. As we all bear the Image of God, I cared a lot more about how I voted and even talked about the kids became more important to respect the dignity of their lives and stories. I also wanted to go into a field of work where I could continue to work with kids like the ones on the bike trails so I changed my major to Social Work.
When I interned with Project Transformation Tennessee, dinners with volunteers became a huge part of my experience, as I had meals with many people I had only met in passing. My fellow interns started joking about how many people I would know from the volunteer groups providing dinner for us. These dinners are where I developed my love of breaking bread with people. Walls seem to fall when people come together for a meal with an open mind to listen and learn from one another.
I now get to be part of other young adults’ journey and watch them grow into themselves through our program. Watching relationships develop is my favorite part of the job. There is something so special about watching people of all ages and walks of lives coming together to do the work of Kin-dom building.
~ Rachel Luna
Want to support the Project Transformation Tennessee interns? They need meals for their intern training week. The needs are to feed 60 people for lunch or dinner on May 27, 28 and 29. Email Pastor Carlisle (cjones@franklinfumc.org) to sign up.
If you want to provide supplies to bless the interns as they lead programs, you can shop the PT Amazon Wish list HERE. You can also sign up to be a Reading Buddy June 4-6 or July 22-25 HERE.