Q&A: What we learned through VBS

2017-09-26

We’d like to introduce you to two of our loving, hardworking VBS summer staff who have honored us by returning for two years or more!  Brianna Condon, from St. Ann’s Church is a current Social Work student at Syracuse University and Karena Leckie harkens from Onondaga Community College.

Q. What values made you decide to come and work for the Brady Faith Center’s VBS?

Brianna:  “Dedication to service, service to our neighbors in Syracuse, and unconditional love, a value I learn from the children, who inspire me to live this out more every day.”

Karena:  “I love to see children in their happiness.  I want to give them every opportunity to find joy and be successful.”

Q. What do you hope that you will bring from your experience at Brady into your future life of work and relationships?

Brianna:  “Being able to spread positive energy and the light of Christ even when it’s not a religious environment.  I hope to bring the joy that children have – that joy of Christ”

Karena:  “I have gained a whole lot of patience.  When a situation is not going a certain way, I can now slow down, even stop and work with someone to find a mutually agreeable solution.”

Q. Is there any experience that you wish to share that impacted you most?

Brianna:  “For me my golden moment was watching two girls working things out between themselves.

Two girls in our 5-7 year old group were in an argument.  Talking with one of them, I simply suggested, ‘What I think might make you both feel better is if you apologized.’  Right when we walked outside the other girl walked up to her and said, ‘I’m sorry.’  They hugged and right away started playing together.”

Karena:  “One day it was raining and thundering at Thunder Island.  I was so happy at that moment to see everyone encouraging each other.  Instead of going home sad everyone starting singing and dancing in the rain!”

Q. How has your work at Brady impacted your thoughts, understanding and therefore decisions?

Brianna:  “The kids, their lives and their stories have helped me to think critically about the world and our community.  I now know that I want to find a career that feels like working at Brady.  I want to be in places that are more accepting and kind.  I want to put myself in an atmosphere where I am able to help children and families together to build more unity and create that real feeling of self-respect.”

Karena:  “I can honestly say that how I look at kids … I see now and understand that there are no bad kids.  They are just kids going through something and what they are going through is what we might see.”