
My name is Andy King and I've spent my whole life in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I'm 22 years old and I recently graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. I felt called to serve in the Tucson Borderlands YAV program by a desire to immerse myself in the diverse joys and hardships reflected in the lives of those across the U.S. Led by a passion for social and climate justice, I hope to help lay the foundation for what a new inclusive society might look like: one driven by equity and love. I hope to grow in who I am while also further discovering my passion of supporting and advocating for others. I also enjoy sunbathing, much like that of a lizard. Bring on the Arizona desert!

My name is Samantha LeBlanc, I'm 20, and I'm looking to start a new chapter in my life. I hope to grow as a person spiritually from this year of service. I love to draw and write, and I hope this journey will also inspire me for new creative thoughts and ideas. I also enjoy music, outdoors, and hiking. I feel drawn to finding something, or someplace new. It's like a magnetic pull to take on new challenges in the new chapter of my life. I'm hoping to learn many skills such as better social skills, or leadership skills. I'm very optimistic about my journey; therefore I'm hoping each day is filled with a new lesson for me, be it a physical or spiritual one. I also hope to inspire peers for younger generations to go out and explore different places and communities. With this trip to Tucson Arizona I hope to be one with new communities, different cultures, and nature. I want to challenge myself to become a leader and step out of my comfort zones to experience new things.
Hello, my name is Mitchell Borgstadt. I am twenty one years old and I grew up in a small town called Higginsville Missouri. I have always been an empathic and kind soul who wants to help people who are struggling or facing adversities, whether through physical work that helps the community and individuals or just sit and listen to their trouble while also being supportive. I’m very passionate about fighting the stereotypes around mental health. It is a very real thing that myself and many others have dealt with. I am greatly looking forward to my year as a YAV because of the opportunities to help people in a community while growing with that community. The YAV program means a lot to me because of that growth in the community. I was once a part of a great community, but I had to leave it. While I have grown by myself out of one there is only so much growing a person can do alone. So I feel greatly ready to join this community and take on its burdens with it and the people who make up the community. I still don’t know a lot about the world. I was raised in a very sheltered town. But sheltering people from the world doesn’t help fix it. With being a YAV I’ll have my opportunities to help fix the things wrong in the world instead of turning a blind eye.
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