Finding Purpose, Building Peace

Since moving to Washington, D.C. to serve with DC Service Corps, I have been learning what it means to find where I can make a difference in a world where people are always in need. I came here to work with Little Friends for Peace, but I have learned that this year is also inviting me to grow, explore, and connect with the communities around me. 

I enjoy traveling, and I have had opportunities to visit different countries, learn about new cultures, and meet people from many backgrounds. Due to my experiences, coming to Washington, D.C. didn’t feel completely unfamiliar. However, I was still nervous about entering a new environment nine hours away from my family. One day, while working with Little Friends for Peace, we visited the Peace Oasis, where walking through nature and spending time at the farm made me feel a sense of peace and familiarity. Being around goats, chickens, and the outdoors reminded me of my own farm animals back in NY. Furthermore, living at Casa San Salvador has also made the transition feel smooth and meaningful, allowing me to feel at ease. Moving in with new people can feel intimidating, but our intentional community has become a real support system. Through shared meals, prayer, conversations, puzzles, movies, trivia nights, baseball games, and simply spending time together, the Casa has started to feel like a home away from home. It has reminded me that home is not only a place, but also the people around you who are supportive and welcoming, creating a safe and loving environment. 

My work with Little Friends for Peace has been one of the most meaningful parts of discovering how I can make a difference in D.C. Working with children and teenagers, as well as with the men at the Father McKenna Center, has allowed me to help create a space where people can feel safe, heard, and encouraged to strive for peace in their own lives. Whether we are offering tools for how to resolve conflict with compassion or simply giving that space for people to share, I am learning that peace for the world begins within the hearts of individuals. Participating in peace circles has reminded me that service is not always about having all the answers to help or offering solutions to problems. Often, it is simply about being present, listening patiently, and fostering a welcoming space whose impact extends beyond the circle itself to inspire care for creation and each other. 

I have also attended a vigil for immigration, a protest supporting the protection of the Kennedy Center, a peace concert celebrating many different religions, and a walk for the Father McKenna Center. Being present at these gatherings has helped me recognize how many people in D.C. come together to speak up, support one another, and work toward a more just future where the dignity of every person is respected. Experiencing these parts of D.C. life has allowed me to feel more connected to the city and to the peace striving for a more equitable future. 

I have always recognized that creating change in this world does not mean figuring everything out at once or expecting world peace to happen in a week. Change happens through small, faithful steps that include showing up to serve, listening to the stories that many hold in their hearts, building community, and remaining open to God’s plans. I may only make a small dent in the larger work of peace and justice, but every act of compassion and connection helps communities move toward the future God desires.

Question for Reflection: How are you cultivating positive change in your community?