My name is Ashley Reid and I am an alumna of the Johnson Service Corps 2015-16 cohort. I found JSC after making a major life transition from working a full-time salaried position in Washington D.C., to spontaneously teaching abroad in Spain for three months. I quit my job in D.C. after admitting how miserable and unsatisfied I was with my life. I knew I was meant to do more than I was, and decided I wanted to begin the journey of discerning what my passion was.
JSC met me at this crossroad in my life. My year of intentional community provided the space necessary for me to discern where I was going. My time working at the Maggie Alvis House at Freedom House Recovery allowed me to see and feel the importance of safe spaces to confront wounds and toxic habits to move on. My community taught me the importance of allowing others in as a support, but also drawing firm boundaries if someone threatens your safe space. It was a lesson around the complexities of people and how to carry grace while navigating everchanging spaces.
After my year in JSC, I moved to the Bay Area in California to start my journey in seminary. I am currently in my 2nd year and still discovering new things about myself and my passions every day. The spiritual practices and importance of community are values that are present in my studies and my interfaith work every day. JSC helped me to discover my passion for communal justice and healing. I still don’t know exactly where I will end up, and what kind of work I will be doing, but I am confident that it will be for the greater good of all people.